Hello, Word-Slingers!
Thank you again for helping Utterance pass 450 wishlists in just a few weeks. Every wishlist, comment, share, and playtest report gives our small team more momentum. Since Dev Log #1, we have released another external test build, added seal-breaking mechanics across the enemy roster, started testing a new miniboss, and pushed several creatures and effects into their next stage of production.
Everything below is still work in progress. Names, numbers, visuals, and mechanics may change as we continue testing.
SEALS ARE BECOMING MORE THAN HEALTH BARS
Seals were originally a way to divide a creature's health into readable chunks. Now they are becoming important moments inside every Showdown. Basic seal-breaking behavior has been implemented across the current enemy roster, and we are designing each break to create a clear, immediate shift in the fight.
The health display has also been rebuilt so damage always resolves from right to left. When your word is about to shatter a seal, the preview turns blue before you press Speak. That small change makes it much easier to understand whether a word will simply deal damage or cross a major threshold.
A NEW MINIBOSS ENTERS THE BUILD
The Jackalope has reached its first playable build. This two-stage encounter begins without seals, then returns protected by three. We are testing the pacing of that transition, the fight's difficulty, and how clearly each stage communicates its rules.
The Lady is also being reconsidered. Her later phase is moving toward hand-arrangement challenges instead of a normal damage race, with each seal imposing a different form of etiquette on the word you build.
THE SACRIFICE PIT SHOULD FEEL HUNGRY
Sacrifice is one of the most important actions in Utterance, so dropping a card into the pit needs to feel dangerous and strangely inviting. Our first new VFX test did not feel physical enough, so we are taking it in a more reactive direction.
The version now being explored has tentacles follow a card as it approaches the sacrifice area, beckon it closer, then grab and dissolve it when released. The motion is not only spectacle. It also gives players a natural visual cue that the pit is ready to accept the card.
SKULLDUGGERY GETS A FULLER REACTION SET
Skullduggery's neutral pose, attack, and taking-damage reactions are now being brought together as a complete encounter set. These new frames help the character communicate intent more clearly and give each exchange more personality.
Neutral
Attack
Taking damage
NIGHTGAUNT AND NEW CREATURE CONCEPTS
New nightmares are taking shape. Nightgaunt has moved through a broad silhouette pass and into a smaller group of favored directions. These concept sheets show how we narrowed the creature from a wide range of possibilities into a stronger production direction.
Since our email went out, Nightgaunt has already moved into a more developed front and side character pass. The newer design pushes the layered wings, hanging tendrils, mask-like face, and central maw much further, giving the creature a stronger silhouette and a clearer production target.
Another winged creature is also being refined around stronger tails, fewer competing eyes, and a mouth that reads as a deep, threatening void. It is still in the concept stage, but its identity is beginning to lock into place.
WHAT THE LATEST PLAYTESTS TAUGHT US
Our newest internal testing reinforced that the Sanity and Sacrifice systems are moving in the right direction. Testers liked the danger created by Affliction cards and enjoyed finding words with flexible multi-letter cards. They also found several areas where the presentation needs to catch up with the mechanics.
The relationship between Sacrifice and Sanity needs to be clearer at a glance. Fractured Cards and Forged Cards need stronger visual separation because they behave differently. Some effect sequences, especially gaining an Affliction or resolving a creature's defeat, take too long and interrupt the rhythm of a turn.
WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON NOW
- Balancing seal effects across the enemy roster
- Testing the Jackalope miniboss and the Lady's redesigned encounter
- Refining the Sacrifice pit animation and monster defeat timing
- Completing Skullduggery's attack and hit reactions
- Developing more creatures
- Improving the visual distinction between Fractured and Forged Cards
- Prototyping a wider word-card overhaul
- Revising short gameplay clips and beginning new Steam capsule sketches
Thank you for following the development of Utterance. If you want to help shape the game, join our Discord, share your thoughts, and wishlist Utterance on Steam.
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