Underrail
Developer(s)Stygian Software
Publisher(s)Stygian Software
Designer(s)Dejan Radisic
Programmer(s)
  • Dejan Radisic
  • Ivana Radisic
Artist(s)
  • Dejan Radisic
  • Mario Tovirac
  • Kira Mayer
Writer(s)
  • Dejan Radisic
  • Stefan Cupovic
Composer(s)Josh Culler
Platform(s)Windows
ReleaseDecember 18, 2015
Genre(s)Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

Underrail is a 2015 role-playing video game by Stygian Software for Windows. It was first released in early access in late 2012. An expansion pack, Underrail: Expedition, was released in 2019 while a sequel, Underrail: Infusion, is under development.

Gameplay

Underrail is a post-apocalyptic role-playing game focused on combat and exploration. It features turn-based combat, character customization, and an item crafting system.[1] The player controls a single character, whose development and interactions with the game world are the focus of the gameplay.[2] The game's ruleset is mainly inspired by the SPECIAL system from the Fallout series. It is a classless system with multiple levels of customization. Base ability scores determine a character's core potential, skills represent a character's linear progression in specific skills and feats can grant new abilities, provide passive bonuses or alter a character's existing abilities. The turn-based combat system is similar to Fallout's with more options added on top of it, such as the use of special abilities, psionics and more combat utilities. The system is intended to provide many combat options and unique playstyles.[3]

Plot

Setting

The game is set in the far future when the Earth's surface has been uninhabitable for a long time and the remaining humans live in the eponymous Underrail metro network, where conflicting factions struggle violently to survive in the harsh underground conditions.[1] The scarcest resources in Underrail are food and living space.[4] There is also a greater background plot concerning the nature of time, but the game is mostly about the inhabitants of Underrail, their politics, strife and the dangers of Underrail itself.[5]

Story

The player takes on the role of a new member of one of the stations on the fringe of Underrail. The player character starts as a blank slate, allowing the player to develop him or her as preferred. The story is narrated primarily through dialogue with non-player characters inhabiting the world of Underrail.[3] The player is positioned to side with different competing factions in their battle to annex stations.[4]

Development

Game engine development for Underrail began in late 2008.[6] The game's custom engine and development tools are built using C#, Microsoft's .NET 4.0 framework and XNA Game Studio 4.0.[2] The game has been in full-time development since late 2009 and it was known as Timelapse Vertigo during its pre-alpha and earlier development stages.[6][7] Prior to its early access release on Windows, most of the development work including design, programming, writing and graphics excluding character models and title screen, was done by Dejan Radisic.[2] Since its initial demo version release in 2012, updated versions of Underrail were released roughly every three or four months.[8]

The game was crowdfunded with early access sales providing additional funding.[9][10][11] Character models and music of the game were created by freelance artists, while royalty-free sound effects were used. The first trailer for Underrail was released on March 11, 2013, showcasing alpha version gameplay footage.[12]

Release

On August 22, 2012, a demo of Underrail was released on IndieDB.[13] On December 6, 2012, an alpha version became available on both Desura and GamersGate digital distribution platforms,[9][14] and on September 24, 2013, alpha version became available as early access on the Steam store as well.[15]

The game was released out of early access on December 18, 2015.[1] An expansion, Underrail: Expedition, was released on July 22, 2019, and features a new plotline based in new locations, alongside other gameplay changes and additions.[16][17] A sequel, Underrail: Infusion, is under development.[18]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Underrail - An indie role playing game". Stygian Software. Archived from the original on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 Adam Ames (26 July 2012). "Old Broken Technology: Underrail". True PC Gaming. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Underrail – interview with Dejan and Alpha Demo released". RPG Italia. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  4. 1 2 Eduardo Garabito (13 February 2013). "Dejan Radisic: "Me gusta hacer las cosas a mi manera y ser mi propio jefe"". Indie-o-rama (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 August 2014.
    English translation: Chris Priestman (15 February 2013). "Keeping On The Tracks: Developing Underrail As A One-Man Force". Indie Statik. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  5. ↑ "Underrail, formerly known as Timelapse Vertigo - rpg codex". 18 August 2010. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  6. 1 2 Dave Yeager (6 May 2013). "Underrail Hands-on Alpha Preview". RPGFan. Archived from the original on 2 February 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  7. ↑ Jeffrey Davis (4 February 2013). "GamerTell Preview: Underrail". GamerTell. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  8. ↑ "Underrail - Development Log". Stygian Software. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  9. 1 2 Tom Sykes (6 December 2012). "Underrail - Arcanum meets Metro 2033 - is available to alpha-buy now". PC Gamer. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  10. ↑ "Dev Log #23: Expanding the Business". Stygian Software. 25 October 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  11. ↑ "Questions about development?". Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  12. ↑ Michael Johnson (12 March 2013). "Underrail gets a trailer". BeefJack. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  13. ↑ Cassandra Khaw (5 December 2012). "Demo: Underrail (Stygian Software)". IndieGames.com. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  14. ↑ "Underrail released on Desura and GamersGate!". Stygian Software. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  15. ↑ "Underrail now live on Steam!". Stygian Software. 24 September 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  16. ↑ "Underrail expansion Expedition announced". PC Gamer. October 11, 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  17. ↑ "Dev Log #61: Expedition Release Date". steamcommunity.com. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  18. ↑ "Underrail Dev Logs". StygianSoftware.com. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
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