The Well of Essenwood
A downloadable game for Windows
Wishlist on Steam
About The Game
Embark on an enchanting journey in a medieval fairytale land, where you take on the roles of two main characters, Red Riding Hood and Bo-Peep. Each begins their own adventure, eventually uniting to unravel a sinister plot that threatens to seize the magical well hidden deep in the heart of Essenwoods, a well containing the very essence of magic in the land.
Guided by the Fairy Godmother, who granted them wishes, bestowing upon each a unique magical item, our brave heroes venture forth. They confront wolves and other creatures tainted by dark magic, utilizing their special abilities to solve puzzles, unveil secrets, and overcome obstacles strewn across their path.
The Plot
In an enchanting and magical land, nestled within a magical forest called The Essenwoods, lies a mystical Well that holds the very essence of magic the land. Here, harmony reigns among the diverse inhabitants, except for the mischievous Wolves who often stir up trouble.
Meet Red Riding Hood, now known as Detective Red, a resilient soul with a keen eye and agile mind. Her childhood encounter with a cunning Wolf spurred her to become a protector of her town, Prestbury. With her Granny's wisdom, she established a Detective Agency to aid those in need.
In the neighboring village of Morningside, Bo-peep tends to her family's sheep with unwavering care. One fateful day, she rescues an Owl from a Wolf's clutches, unwittingly invoking the power of the Fairy Godmother who grants her three wishes.
As animals mysteriously vanish from Prestbury, the townsfolk turn to Detective Red for help. Simultaneously, Bo-peep's flock disappears, prompting her to embark on a quest to reclaim them. Their paths intertwine when Bo-peep saves Red from a Wolf attack, forging an unlikely friendship rooted in mutual bravery.
Together, Red and Bo-peep embark on an adventure to uncover the sinister plot behind the missing animals, encountering puzzles, challenges, fierce enemies and unexpected allies along the way. As they delve deeper, they uncover the connection between the Well of Essenwoods, the Fairy Godmother, and the nefarious schemes of the Wolves and the Three Pigs. Are they truly behind all of this, or is there someone else lurking in the shadows?
Features
- Dual Protagonists:Immerse yourself in the roles of two main characters, Red Riding Hood and Bo-Peep, each embarking on their distinct adventures. Additionally, encounter a variety of other playable characters in brief yet impactful scenes.
- Unique Character Abilities:Every character possesses exclusive abilities, vital tools to navigate the challenges of their individual journeys. Your mastery of these unique skills is key to progressing through the game.
- Dynamic Character Control:Become the master of both worlds! Once you've honed the abilities of each character, seamlessly switch between Red Riding Hood and Bo-Peep. Navigate this duo through puzzles and obstacles, showcasing the synergy between their strengths.
- Fantasy Realism Art Style:Immerse yourself in a visually stunning world with a fantasy realism art style. Let the enchanting visuals captivate and intrigue you as you explore numerous open levels, each with its own unique charm.
- Battle mutated creatures :Encounter creatures tainted by dark magic and use your unique abilities to overcome them. You might even meet an unexpected friend.
- Puzzles and Obstacles:Challenge your intellect and creativity! Encounter puzzles and obstacles that will put your problem-solving skills to the test. Every twist and turn in the game promises a new opportunity to showcase your strategic thinking.
Theme and Environment
The game is situated within a picturesque medieval Fairy Tale realm, adorned with rustic farms, quaint barns, and charming wooden structures. Players will navigate through a series of small, open levels, inviting them to explore and roam freely.
Most levels exude a tranquil and serene ambiance, basking in the warm glow of daytime. The sun-drenched landscapes feature lush greenery, abundant trees, vibrant flowers, meandering streams, babbling rivers, and serene ponds. Majestic rocks and towering mountains provide a scenic backdrop, enriching the immersive experience. Additionally, a few levels will immerse players in the mystical allure of nighttime, while others shroud them in the mysterious embrace of thick fog, enhancing the game's atmosphere and adding layers of depth.
Music and soundscapes will be meticulously crafted to complement each level, imbuing them with their own distinct charm and ambiance. From soothing melodies that echo the tranquility of nature to ethereal tunes that evoke a sense of wonder and mystery, players will be fully immersed in the enchanting world of the game.
Art Style
Drawing inspiration from both realism and fantasy, the art style of our game seamlessly blends the familiar with the fantastical. Leveraging the power of Unreal Engine 4, our meticulously crafted environments come to life with stunning detail and depth.
The use of Physically Based Rendering (PBR) textures ensures that every surface, from weathered wooden structures to verdant foliage, exudes a sense of authenticity and tactile realism. Textures are rich and immersive, inviting players to explore every nook and cranny of our meticulously designed world.
Houses and structures, meticulously crafted in-house using Blender, boast intricate details and unique architectural elements that add to the game's immersive experience. Each building tells a story, from cozy cottages nestled amidst rolling hills to grandiose mansions and town houses in prestigious towns.
Incorporating elements of both realism and fantasy, our art style transports players to a world where the boundaries between the mundane and the magical blur. From sweeping landscapes bathed in golden sunlight to mist-shrouded forests teeming with mythical creatures, every scene is a feast for the senses, inviting players to lose themselves in the enchanting beauty of our game.
Target Platform
Initially to be released for PC on itch.io, Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Later releases for console (TBA).
Target Player Audience
This game caters to players aged 10 years and older, regardless of their experience levels, fostering inclusivity within the gaming community. Carefully curated design elements ensure that newcomers feel welcomed and comfortable from the moment they start playing.
Featuring a streamlined user interface (UI) and menu structure, the game offers intuitive navigation and easy-to-understand objectives that guide players seamlessly through their journey. Clear and concise instructions eliminate confusion, allowing players to focus on the joy of exploration and discovery.
Complexity is kept to a minimum, with no intricate skill trees, ability upgrades, or overwhelming inventory management systems. Instead, the game prioritizes accessibility and enjoyment, ensuring that players are not bogged down by unnecessary complexities.
The HUD layout and menu options are thoughtfully designed to avoid overwhelming players, providing quick access to helpful tips and hints whenever needed. This approach empowers players to fully immerse themselves in the game's world without feeling burdened by technicalities.
Wishlist on Steam
Status | In development |
Platforms | Windows |
Author | 3 Wishes Games |
Genre | Adventure, Action, Puzzle |
Made with | Unreal Engine |
Tags | 3D, Action-Adventure, Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Singleplayer, Unreal Engine |
Average session | A few hours |
Languages | English |
Inputs | Keyboard, Mouse |
Links | Homepage |
Download
Install instructions
Thank you for downloading :)
The Demo demonstrates a few main gameplay scenarios and consists of 3 levels that have been shortened to give you a quick idea of what the full game will be like. The Scene 1 to 5 download is the first 5 Scenes of the game, still in development.
You will be downloading a zip folder. Once download has been complete:
- Go to your Downloads Folder. You can choose to move the zip folder to a new location, or leave where is.
- Right click and choose 'Extract Here'.
- Once the folder has been extracted, open it.
- Double click on the WellOfEssenwood_V1_1 Application file. It will have a white 'U' symbol on it.
We would love to hear from you, kindly leave your comments below.
Development log
- Added Scene 5 and UI elementsNov 28, 2023
- Changed the game nameAug 14, 2023
- First 4 scenes completeApr 22, 2023
Comments
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hey dev so i played your game again and it looks good as always but i dont like the invisible walls and glitching threw rocks please watch the video and see what i mean as i did provide feedback there
Thanks once again for your invaluable feedback. I left a reply on your video. I hope you get the time to continue playing the rest.
so only 1 problem i also see you run out of treats very fast with the wolves attacking you lol and when you explore for your sheep with low health then its difficult to go up against them if you have low health and low magic but other then that the game looks and feels great and the visual / UI looks amazing i def recommend this game! and the name def suits the game but one question i have i see the games name is detective RED lol so where does Bo-Beep or whatever her name is again fit into the story / story line?
but other then that very interesting game and very interesting concept off little red riding hood inspired game! i def recommend this game!https://www.facebook.com/ZeNNN12/videos/6043765949063274
Zen I highly appreciate your interest in the game and bringing your thoughts to my attention.
I have received similar feedback regarding the name, and you just sealed the sentiment. I have been giving this some thought and have decided to change the name to 'The Well of Essenwood' instead.
Initially the game was supposed to have mostly puzzle and mystery solving, with very little action, hence 'Detective Red' in the title. As the game advanced and the narrative developed further, the action became more than just a little and Bo-peep started playing a bigger role.
Regarding the treats and berries, I was watching you play in your live stream and noticed that after the fight with the 2 wolves, you ran straight past the glowing red apples on the 2 trees which would have filled up your treat inventory, as well as the berries on another tree in the same area. There are other areas that have treats and berries, so maybe in your part 2 you might find them.
I will definitely keep this in mind though and decide whether I want to add more treats and berries and make them more visible, or leave them where I have them at that quantity. Finding a balance is extremely important as it could be the difference between the game being 'Too Easy' or 'Too Hard'.
In an adventure game, I do expect the players to spend time exploring, especially in the corners and outskirts of the level and I have plans to add other items in the environment that will be used to upgrade the Health, Magic and Stamina bars.
I will also consider adding tips in the first few levels to make the players aware of searching for items, maybe when their inventory is really low.
ah ok i did not know that apples from the trees gives you treats good to know now i can try it again! and makes sence that with further development tha red and bobeep is def going to encounter some action so thats perfect but still a very awesome storyline and puzzles on the sheep disappearance , about the treats i didnt know they are on trees so i would say exactly how it is will be perfect as it forces players to explore so that sounds good!
and def putting on the UI to get players to explore for berries will def help alot so i would say that sounds perfect if you can implement something like that when inventory low
hey on the screetching noise quest you cant determine where the screetching comes from as it sounds like its next to you where ever you go
Hey Zen, thanks for the feedback. I have added sound attenuation to the Owl screeching sound, so it will be very soft further away and will start getting louder as you get closer.
Great spot!
awesome thanks for the update will def do part 2 asap