Devlog / Systems
Building the first aswang encounter
From silhouette and sound to timing the first arnis exchange after sundown.
From legend to encounter
The first aswang test began with a simple question: how close should danger feel before the player commits to a strike? We started with the silhouette—long enough to read against the grass and houses, but grounded enough to belong to this world.
Clear spacing matters because Kali’s combat asks the player to judge distance before acting. The creature needs presence without hiding the arnis stance, the direction of its movement, or the moment a counter becomes possible.
“The creature should feel terrifying. The fight should still feel fair.”
Hearing danger first
Sound carries the encounter before the enemy reaches the firelight. Footfalls, brush movement, and a short vocal cue give the player information without filling the screen with markers.
Finding the arnis rhythm
The exchange works when the aswang’s approach, the player’s range, and the recovery after each strike form one readable rhythm. That timing will keep changing as animation, hit reactions, and enemy behavior come online.