Mortal Crux Adds Co-op
Solo developer @MortalCrux previewed co-op features coming to their classic-inspired ARPG Mortal Crux, sharing a throwback gameplay clip that earned 73 likes. The indie developer is juggling multiple tasks while building anticipation for the cooperative multiplayer addition to their story-driven RPG.
Mortal Crux is the work of a single developer, Jesse Walker, who has been working on the project for over three years. The game is a self-funded passion project that draws inspiration from a long-lost Flash game of the same name that Walker created about 15 years prior. The game's design is a hybrid of several classic RPG styles. While the overworld and combat are inspired by action RPGs like Diablo and Dark Souls, interior locations switch to a fixed-camera perspective reminiscent of the classic Resident Evil games. This was a deliberate choice to make exploration of rooms feel more intimate and artistic. Co-op for up to four players has been a core feature planned since the early stages of development. The developer has focused on creating a seamless open world with minimal loading screens to enhance the immersive experience for both solo and co-op players. The initial Early Access release is planned to include online co-op functionality from day one. Beyond combat, Mortal Crux will feature a variety of in-depth systems. These include a full day/night cycle with NPC schedules, world interactions like mining and digging, and even a detailed fishing minigame with its own quests and a 3D aquarium to view catches. The game's levels are all hand-crafted, with no procedural generation used for the environments.
