Singapore-based publisher, Soft Source, brought several of their games to PAX East, and Bahamut and the WaqWaq Tree is one worth noting due to its seamless underwater gameplay and intriguing Arabian mythos.
I was lucky enough to speak with a developer of Bahamut and the WaqWaq Tree while playing the demo. He explained that gameplay mechanics came first–prioritizing movement through the water was paramount to the experience. He even showed me a short video of how the game looked weeks, months, and years of development. Once gameplay felt smooth, he layered it with Arabian folklore–including that of Bahamut.
Some may know Bahamut as a dragon in various media, including in the Final Fantasy video game franchise. In Arabian culture, Bahamut is actually viewed as a massive whale (or fish) that supports the earth. Bahamut is contrasted with Falak, a snake-like entity. They co-exist to maintain balance in the world, much like light and darkness. In Bahamut and the WaqWaq Tree, our protagonist must utilize the light and vanquish any corruption and help restore this balance.
The puzzles are basic at its core–carrying orbs of light to its proper place to further unlock your path all while avoiding the darkness–but as you progress in the game, you obtain more powers; therefore, layering on more aspects to your mission. In the demo, I felt immersed immediately. The gorgeous visuals and calming sounds pulled me in as I flowed from area to area. I could tell that the developer prioritized gameplay because I never felt so good moving in an underwater world!
Bahamut and the WaqWaq Tree celebrated its launch at PAX East, and it is now available on Steam (with a sale until May 22nd)! If you aren’t sure yet, at least download the demo and watch the trailer.
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