Into The Deep Demo Surfaces – Grab Yer Axes and Plunge In!

Hey everyone! I’m excited to announce that the first demo of Into The Deep is now live and available to download on itch.io, as well as playable directly in your browser.

About the Game

Into The Deep is a turn-based tactical adventure game that plunges you into the dark depths of a lost dwarven city. You’ll lead a brave group of dwarves through dangerous catacombs, fighting to reclaim their home from an ancient evil.

This is my first game, and it began as a learning project in early 2024. Now, I’m finally able share a playable version with all of you! The game still has a long way to go, but I want to gather feedback from players as fast as possible, because I’m completely unable to say if I go the right direction without help. In Germany we have a saying “I can’t see the forest through all the trees”. And that sums it up quite well.

What’s in the Demo?

This demo focuses on giving you a feel for the core gameplay mechanics. It’s centered around tactical turn-based combat, where your squad of dwarves must outsmart enemies in strategic battles. While there’s a lot more planned (like story and progression systems), this demo gives you a glimpse of the core of Into The Deep.

You’ll have access to:

  • Two playable levels that showcase the tactical combat system.
  • A few initial abilities for the characters Amos and Rocky.
  • The chance to experiment with different weapons, skills and strategies
  • Three enemy types

What’s missing?

Quite a bit! There’s no story or progression yet, and a few key features—like camp upgrades, more levels, and new characters—are still in development. But your feedback at this stage is incredibly valuable!

What’s Next?

Here’s a preview of what’s coming up:

  • Camp Expansion: Upgrade your camp to unlock better gear and recruit new characters.
  • New Characters: Amos and Rocky will receive more unique skills, and a third dwarf will soon join the team.
  • More Levels: New, more challenging levels are in the works.
  • Items, Skills, and Loot: More equipment, abilities, and loot are on the way, including some exciting new headgear and abilities.

Regular Updates

I’m working on the game daily, and I plan to release updates on a regular basis. You can expect to see new features, improvements, and bug fixes rolled out frequently. Keep an eye on this page for the latest news and changelogs!

Join the development journey!

I’m still learning as a developer, and I’d love to hear what you think. Your feedback will directly influence how the game evolves! There’s a feedback form in the demo (though currently not working due to a Trello issue), and you can always join my Discord to chat, share ideas, or report bugs.

Thank you all for your support! I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts and seeing where this journey takes us.

But most importantly: Have Fun!

– Tobi

Into The Deep: A Tactical Sidescroller Adventure – Announcement

Hey everyone! I’m excited to share that the Into The Deep demo will soon be available on itch.io. You’ll also be able to wishlist it on Steam!

About the Game

Into The Deep is a tactical sidescroller inspired by games like Steamworld Heist and XCOM. This is the first game that I plan to finalize and release, and I’ve poured a lot of time and passion into it. I started it as a learning project, and now I’m eager to see how players will respond. I learned a ton! I would have done many things different if I would start again. But it works! I’m really looking forward to it and to start my gamedev journey with it.

What to Expect from the Demo

In this early demo, the focus is on the core gameplay mechanics and the overall feel of the game. Although the story and progression aren’t included yet, I’m eager to hear your thoughts on the gameplay. You’ll experience turn-based tactical battles, leading a group of dwarves in strategic fights against their fallen brothers and other dangers lurking in the dark.

Join the Development Journey

As a new developer, I greatly value your feedback. I’ve included a feedback form directly in the game, and I would love to hear your thoughts on how to improve the experience. Whether it’s about the gameplay, controls, or overall vibe, every bit of feedback will help shape the future of Into The Deep. Also: I need to know if there is any demand for a game like that.

To stay connected, join my new Discord to chat, share bugs and features ideas, and keep up with the latest development updates. I’m committed to being as transparent as possible, and I’ll regularly share progress on Discord and my Development Trello.

Join the Discord Community | Follow Development on Trello

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