As the player you take the role of Ash, a natural but tormented leader. In that role you explore a post-apocalyptic, frozen wasteland to gather the resources necessary to establish a refuge for survival. With dwindling resources, simple tasks like upgrading equipment and collecting materials quickly require an expedition to scavenge the necessary items. In the search for survival materials, players must navigate a vast territory, in which they will encounter Eldritch monsters and an even greater foe: the unrelenting winter. While freezing temperatures constantly take their toll on the player Ash, the deadliest event is that of a blizzard. If caught by surprise, it takes every ounce of skill, determination and luck to survive.

In order to survive and overcome all challenges, the player needs to attract followers, bringing them into thei refuge. Each individual skillset and character traits grants access to higher tier resources and gear. Without such advances, the player character can scavenge only the barest necessities, crafting makeshift tools and weapons.

Black Forest Games has listened closely to the feedback and discussions of the community (and will of course continue to do so); they decided to address the difficulty of the game. With today‘s "Hope“ update - the first of the four announced major updates - the developers not only added a big overhaul to the weather effects, but also the first part of their so-called "catch-up mechanism“.

The catch-up mechanism is a system which allows players to collect special shards that increase their abilities, even after you have lost all six lives and have to start over.

Catch-up Mechanism in Fade To Silence

Aim: Let the player catch up more quickly if they lose their last life and have to start over again.

Means to achieve goal: Permadeath Mitigation Collectables that are placed in the world by level design. These collectables can be found within containers as well as in the “wild”

There are four types. Each type corresponds to one of the following stats: Stamina / HP = Hitpoints / Hunger / Cold

After having collected a certain number of collectables of a specific type, an arbitrary bonus of the corresponding type is permanently awarded to the player. The permanent bonuses persist even after permadeath. Starting a new game doesn’t reset those bonuses. Each permadeath mitigation collectable can only be collected once.

Weather

Improved the weather effects across the game. Goal is to increase player immersion. It also serves to mitigate some of the performance issues.

In case you are interested in more insight to the "Hope Update“, watch the ninth episode of the „BFG Unlocked“ vlog, where the devs talk about how they implement community feedback and show a little insight into the technical side of the new weather effects.

Fade to Silence is be available on Steam Early Access for USD 29.99 / GBP 24.99.

“You’re glad to have found wood; for once, you’ll have a roaring fire in the camp. As your sled wolves race home, you pay no attention to the strange lights in the forest. You’ve done enough for today.

The wind suddenly picks up - a blizzard is moving in fast. The voice in your head dares you to keep going,”Come on! You have plenty of time to make it back.” You doubt it, but stopping now means you need to build a shelter—out of that precious wood. The snow begins to fall; you have only a moment to decide. Should you risk it and keep going, or do you play it safe but lose your firewood?”

Fade to Silence introduces the many dynamics of a harsh winter climate to a complex, character-driven, group survival experience. The dynamic weather system adds to the immersion of survival in a cold, corrupted world. Survival depends on how well the players read weather patterns, and if they come to the right conclusion - look for shelter or press home. The dynamic snow displacement leaves a realistic path by both player character and NPC. This telltale sign will tell you regions where it is good to hunt and regions where monsters are roaming.

“You’re out hunting. The barren, snow-filled landscape is endless and unrelenting. A Ripper comes out of nowhere, and you fight it off, narrowly dodging its gigantic claws.

Then you see it: a distant fire. Another person? Impossible. But there’s a strange noise—a voice? Wild hope sears your heart; you won’t be alone anymore. The voice in your head steps in, discouraging you from investigating. “Anyone living must have done terrible things to survive”, it says. You quiet the voice, defying it this time, and move in closer. Another person could help you rebuild, gather food, harvest deer. You see someone—yes! Someone else is out here. Then, you hear a scream. But you hesitate. How can you trust them? Another scream, desperate. There’s only one way to find out.”

Key Features:

• Explore a vast winter landscape: The launch version lets you explore a river delta, a dense forest region and cultivated farmland of an 8km² area.
• Wolf Sled Expeditions: Pack your sled, take a follower with you and engage in long term expeditions into the farthest regions.
• Fight System: Tiered weapon system, melee and ranged combat.
• Moral choices: Save and recruit various NPCs to join your group. Harsh choices have to be made; who do you take, who do you leave behind.
• Battle increasingly dangerous Eldritch creatures that roam an apocalyptic world.
• Trust your inner voice. It is your friend.

Fade to Silence is currently in development for PC, PS4 and Xbox One, scheduled for launch in August 2018.