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Surviving the aftermath is a 3D post-apocalyptic management sim where players will expand their camp, evade mutant attacks and explore the vast and unrelenting world. The player must manage crisis and make continuously tough choices to ensure the survival of the colonists. Various unforeseen catastrophes can occur throughout gameplay, including magnetic storms, pandemics and nuclear winters. These events throw any of the players predetermined survival strategies out the window, but resemble the harsh reality of a post apocalyptic world. The game is extremely customisable, with several tweakable settings at the start which create a difficulty level tailored to the player.
The game is incredibly similar to Those Left Behind, so it was very easy to take inspiration from it. Anna recommended this game to me for inspiration, and she has written a more detailed analysis of the game mechanics on her blog. I will purely be focussing on the artistic direction.
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Art Style
Surviving The Aftermath uses detailed illustrations like the above in narrative and menu screens. The use of beautiful and intricate illustrations is also something we are working on in Those Left Behind for the dialogue scenes with characters.
The Image above has inspired my design for dialogue scenes and also the guarded fence in the survivor camp. The way the fence has been assembled in the image is realistic and practical- they have used common items like corrugated metal, sign posts and wooden beams, all mixed together to provide protection and a vantage point. The colours look rusted, aged and grimy, the appearance sets the tone for the apocalypse – this isn’t a clean or comfortable place to be, this is survival.
The buildings in game are constructed much like the fence, using ‘recycled’ / repurposed materials as the rooves, walls and structural support. The colours are washed out and bleak, but buildings are still identifiable due to their silhouette, colour pallet or defining features. The ground is grey, dusty and dead, unnatural red spots of mutated pollution can be found sprouting from the floor. The pollutions alien and intimidating appearance creates an effective fear of the unknown.
These elements of Surviving The Aftermath will help me when creating distinct resource camps, as well as the fungal life that has taken over the world of Those Left Behind.
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