Cinematics, Vehicle Driving System, Van Dialogue & Half Demo Milestone
As of December 13, 2025, Project Escher continues to move forward at a strong and steady pace. We’re excited to share that Phase 3 of our 6-phase Heavy Prototyping cycle is now complete — marking the third major milestone in development.
With this phase finished, the project has officially reached a key point:
we are now 50% of the way toward completing the demo / vertical slice.
Today’s newly released dev-log video showcases a significant leap forward in both gameplay and narrative, including:
- New Cinematic Sequences
Story-driven moments that help establish tone, pacing, and emotional weight. - Vehicle Driving System
Core driving mechanics are now playable, forming a central part of the experience. - Van Dialogue System
Contextual dialogue taking place inside the van, blending story, character, and gameplay. - Expanded Story Chapter
A major portion of the narrative is now playable, bringing the demo closer to a complete, cohesive experience.
This milestone represents a shift from pure prototyping into a half-demo / half-story chapter, where systems, cinematics, and narrative begin to connect as a unified experience.
Story Direction – Second Half of the Chapters
With the first half of the demo now grounded in the physical world, the remaining half of each story chapter will shift the experience into a non-physical space — a world existing outside of conventional spacetime, off the grid.
This upcoming phase of development will focus on the protagonist’s inner journey through this abstract realm, where reality, memory, and perception begin to blur. Gameplay, cinematics, and narrative systems will evolve to reflect this transition, exploring psychological themes through atmosphere, symbolism, and unconventional storytelling rather than traditional physical interactions.
The next development phases will be dedicated to building and defining this world — shaping its rules, visual language, and emotional impact — as Project Escher moves closer to a complete and cohesive vertical slice.
With three phases complete and three remaining, Project Escher is steadily shaping into a polished vertical slice. Our goal remains clear:
to prepare Project Escher for submission to the Sony PlayStation.
Thank you for following the journey and supporting Rare Castle. More updates are coming soon as we push toward the next milestone.
