Belial: Art of the Devil

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Would you back this project through crowdfunding?
Yes (87%) No (13%)

What platform would you like to see Belial: Art of the Devil on?
- PS3/PS4 (23%)
- WiiU (1%)
- Nintendo 3DS (9%)
- PS Vita (15%)
- Xbox 360 / Xbox One (5%)
- Ouya (1%)
- Windows Phone (1%)
- PC (40%)
- Mac (1%)
- iOS (2%)
- Android (3%)

[Images: Belial: Art of the Devil Banners. Text: Action/Beat 'em up]

Belial Art of the Devil

- 2D action platformer game for PC via Steam, iOS and Android inspired by Castlevania Symphony of the Night.
- Awesome cast of characters and an epic story to boot!
- A tribute to classic gaming with fluid controls tailored to player-chosen abilities.
- Features 9 uniquely themed areas of Hell and a bonus stage set in Limbo.
- Skill Tree based on the Unholy Trinity allows for multiple playstyles.
- Legions you can summon to help on your quest.
- Weapons and equipment forging. Unwanted items can be 'dissolved' to forge better equipment.
- Tons of secrets, 3 endings and collectibles for the perfectionists.
- Boss Rush mode to extend gameplay and make the game competitive.

[Image: "The Story" banner.]

Belial is a half demon and half human who was abandoned by his parents in Hell and his throne claimed by Satan. He exiled himself from Hell to stay on Earth for thousand years. He left his demonic part, his wearables in his armory in Hell. These are the Crown Horn, Tail Hook and Cape Wing.

During his stay on Earth he tried to avoid conflict until he met Marica, a human in the suburban of 1780s. A commotion followed that involved Marica and her sister Danica in a fiery destruction of their house instigated by their stepfather who had worldly interests on the sisters. Belial was too late as a familiar devil who appeared to be Satan corrupted Marica into killing her stepfather and committing suicide. Belial decided to return to Hell to rescue Marica and bring her to his father, Lucifer in the Purgatory to request for the Eve Pardon. A special law that helps corrupted souls to escape the torture of Hell. The Eve Pardon was named after Belial's mother who has committed the first ever known sin.

Back in Hell he needs to get back his armor set. Too bad because after a millenia the mischieveous little demons have already looted his belongings scattering them all over the underworld.

And so the adventure begins!

[Image: "The Stages" banner.]

9 Stages of Hell

These stages have a subtheme that may influence the interaction between main character, environment and enemies. Let's take a peek!

Hotel Glacier
[Image: Concept art of Hotel Glacier.]

Savage Forest
[Image: Concept art of Savage Forest.]

Automata Factory
[Image: Concept art of Automata Factory.]

[Image: "The SubPlot" banner.]

Unbeknown to Belial, the demon he reached for immediate help was on a personal agenda. The demon Beelzebub has been a loyal follower of Earth's creator, Leviathan. He wants to create a rift between Hell and Limbo once Belial and Satan clash. A rift that will allow Leviathan to return. Leviathan, the game's real final boss was once a powerful being who created the Earth in order to bring chaos to Heaven and Hell. When Earth's first inhabitants built Babylon to reach Heaven, they were attacked by the angels and they were tamed with religion. Leviathan was defeated by the old demons with the help of the angels. Leviathan was banished to Limbo and sealed there for eternity.

[Image: "The Skill Tree" banner.]

The Skill Tree in Belial is thematically based on the Unholy Trinity, where you can customize your character's abilities from three categories: The Dragon, the Beast or the False Prophet.

1. Investing Skill Points in the Dragon branch improves both physical and magic abilities and is best suited for an aggressive playstyle.
2. The Beast branch grants the best physical and defensive development while also improving command of your legions.
3. The False Prophet branch on the other hand, is focused towards improving magic ability above all else and is best suited for the calculating player.

At the end of each main branch is one of Belial's three distinct ultimate forms which will let you stand toe-to-toe with the strongest Bosses of Hell! If this sounds linear there is no need to worry, the skill tree is designed so that you are not restricted to one branch, you can mix and match Skills according to your desired playstyle. While Skill Points are precious, don't be afraid to experiment as during you travels, you will meet the mysterious Krona in special rooms where time does not exist. She will let you reset your skill points and redistribute them to your liking, undoing mistakes and getting you closer to your ideal build!

[Image: "Weapon Forging" banner.]

In Belial every loot you collect is a percentage added towards that dream rare weapon or relic you want. You can go to Malthus and 'dissolve' your unwanted items. With enough materials you can forge the ultimate set of equipments you like. For example, a short sword when dissolved will make 10 nuggets. To make a Holy Lance you will need 600 nuggets, so either dissolve some more minor items or find nuggets in game. Some weapons are not available in Malthus' book though and the pages must be found first or you will need parts like a hilt of a legendary sword before you can make them.

AWESOME MUSIC BY DUALIST!

Teaser music
https://soundcloud.com/dualist-make-music/belial-art-of-the-devil-teaser-music?in=dualist-make-music/sets/belial-ars-daemoni

Limbo theme
https://soundcloud.com/dualist-make-music/belial-ars-daemoni-main-theme?in=dualist-make-music/sets/belial-ars-daemoni

Imprisoned Leviathan theme
https://soundcloud.com/dualist-make-music/belial-ars-daemoni-leviathan-theme-arcana-version?in=dualist-make-music/sets/belial-ars-daemoni

OTHER FEATURES

- 3 Endings
- Secret Areas
- Tons of Items, Weapons and Equipments to collect
- Boss Rush Mode

WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW

Although we are still 3 months ahead from our schedule since we are targeting a 10-month development period starting January 2015, we have already been working hard with pre-development. We have rich character backstories, a distinct art bible, solid and streamlined game mechanics and are working on an engine for ease of use and speed.
For now we have created a spinoff flash game to test the waters, make funds and also showcase how Belial should play. The response is great. Here's a video:

[Flash video: N/A.]

That video also got our very first press coverage from TouchArcade no less!
PRESS COVERAGE
The game has been featured by TouchArcade, GamesInAsia and MobileGamer in Brazil.

http://toucharcade.com/2014/09/04/belial-aims-to-be-the-symphony-of-the-night-for-ios/
http://www.gamesinasia.com/filipino-legend-silvestre-opens-new-fantasy-focused-studio-ferryman/
http://www.mobilegamer.com.br/2014/09/belial-pretende-ser-um-symphony-of-the-night-para-iphone-e-ipad.html

The game has been chosen to be showcased in many different conventions like Mozilla Maker Fest, Philippine Game Festival and E-Sports and Gaming Summit in Manila. I am also invited to GDC China 2014 and I will be previewing more of the Belial Art of the Devil and what it has to offer.

It's been one hell of a ride I should say!

Finally before I say goodbye, here's a sprite peg by our talented artist, Mojiken. Note the influence from fighting games like Marvel vs Capcom and King of Fighters.

[Image: Character art.]

.And here's the Idle animation test

[Image: N/A.]

About Ferryman
We are a group of passionate indie game developers from the Southeast Asia. We want to focus on midcore to hardcore fantasy games that will bring players into rich worlds. We are announcing Belial Art of the Devil at GDC China 2014, Philippine Game Festival and E-Sports and Gaming Summit in Manila.
Target launch date: Q4 2015.

We hope to see you then!

Don't forget to like our page https://www.facebook.com/belialgame

[Image: Belial: Art of the Devil banner.]