Cedaria: Blackout – Videos, Screens, Art, Info

September 30th, 2013 Karla Munger

Cedaria: Blackout – Videos, Screens, Art, Info

Steampunk meets the Middle East in a single player/co-op adventure game with RPG elements, influenced by real-world events

Category: Upcoming Release

Written by 396 on September 30, 2013

Developed by Search for Common Ground Lebanon

Platform: Mac, Windows, Other

News – September 30, 2013

Cedaria: Blackout is an isometric view action RPG with emphasis on conflict resolution through dialogue that borrows elements from acclaimed titles such as Diablo and Planescape: Torment. You start the game by picking from one of several careers or professions, then create and name your own custom character.

You will interact with many objects and NPCs and tackle the problems of the world through a dialogue system that offers extensive conversation trees; there are multiple outcomes in every interaction.

Towards the end of the 19th century, the island of Cedaria became a worldwide destination following the industrial boom that accompanied the birth of an ingenious machine called the Phoenix, which powered the island’s many venues and industries and attracted resources from all over the world.

However, the desire to dominate the island’s newfound wealth soon gave rise to trouble – bonds between the different clans shattered, fights ensued and frequent skirmishes threatened to collapse the very foundations of the island… then the unthinkable happened.

The Phoenix broke down.

The reasons behind the defeat of what was believed to be an invincible machine remains a mystery. Not even its creator knows what caused crucial pieces of its anatomy to vanish without a trace.

With no apparent way of piecing the Phoenix back together, Cedaria plunges into a stifling darkness, penetrated only by the few primitive generators scattered around the island. The demand for inventors and engineers becomes high as different factions.

Into the chaos steps a vagabond (the player), returning home to unite with his/her family after a long time spent overseas. Coming back to a childhood home now in shambles was not part of the agenda, but news of the island’s plight came too late.

You soon find yourself trapped, your vehicle lacking the fuel needed to make the journey back to the mainland. Now a “prisoner” on Cedaria, you need to make the best of the situation and decide: should you join in the mad dash for power or try to find a solution to end everyone’s troubles?

Can you unite a country?

You will interact with many objects and NPCs and tackle the problems of the world through a dialogue system that offers extensive conversation trees; there are multiple outcomes in every interaction.

If dialogue fails and you find yourself in a conflict situation, you may resort to harsher tactics. You have a variety of combat skills that can be acquired through progression, but be warned that resorting to violence may have unforeseen consequences down the road. The game’s combat is similar to ARPGs.

In addition to the NPCs, the world is crowded with wild animals who may not appreciate your intrusion on their territory. Fight, sneak or find a way to blend in.

Multiplayer is supported throughout the game; Cedaria plays equally well in both single player and cooperative mode and you have access to the same game areas in both modes. The game includes common tools such as chat windows, party windows and a lobby to facilitate multiplayer.

The ultimate goal of the game is to fix the Phoenix Machine and bring electricity back to Cedaria. There are a number of ways to achieve this resulting in multiple endings. The choices you make and who you side with will dictate the future of Cedaria.

Karla Munger

I've been with JA in one capacity or other since 2003. I'm currently website administrator. I'm also a digital artist (my avatar is one of my creations). I write reviews and articles, create graphics and basically help tend the site. It's work I enjoy very much. I love playing games of all kinds, but adventure and RPGs are my favorites (particularly scary/dark/unsettling ones). At the top of my list are The Cat Lady, The Longest Journey, Dreamfall, Still Life (first one only), Scratches and Culpa Innata. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool recluse and prefer the company of animals, hardware and ghosts to human beings (no offense). And no bio would be complete without my saying that I do NOT care for phones of ANY sort. Further, I think Dell computers are garbage and that Microsoft has become megalomaniacal. "I put my heart and soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process." - Vincent Van Gogh "I need solitude for my writing; not like a hermit - that wouldn't be enough - but like a dead man." - Franz Kafka "I've been to hell and back, my boy." - Susan Ashworth, The Cat Lady

Cedaria: Blackout – Videos, Screens, Art, Info

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