Puzzling perfection…
Welcome back to another Miketendo64 interview that sees us chatting with Bedtime Digital Games’ Hans Haave, regarding the upcoming Figment 2: Creed Valley. In the first part of our mini-series comprised of Figment 2 interviews, we discussed The Black Hog, where we learned, this formidable boss, was originally intended to appear in the first game and that Figment 2: Creed Valley, originally started out as DLC before going on to become its own game.
Now we’re back with our second Figment 2 focused interview and this time we’re asking puzzle and game development related questions, but first, let’s welcome back Hans:
Hello Hans:
Miketendo64: Before we dive right into the probing questions, we always like to start things off nice and light. Therefore, would you be so kind as to introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
Hans Haave: Hello! I am Hans, I’m a Franco-American with a degree in applied foreign linguistics. I’ve been working in the video games industry for almost 3 years now. Having played games my whole life it’s quite the trip to be doing this for a living.
Miketendo64: And now to follow-up, what is your role at Bedtime Digital Games and what is the extent of your involvement with Figment 2: Creed Valley?
Hans Haave: I’m currently the Communications Manager at Bedtime Digital Games. I also take care of the PR and marketing side of things. If you’re ever hanging out on Twitter, Insta, or Discord you’ve probably chatted with me before.
Putting the Puzzle Together:
Miketendo64: When developing the Figment universe, what were the main inspirations behind the game’s story and what artistic references were the inspirations behind the game’s art style?
Hans Haave: The main inspirations for the nightmares were stories drawn from personal experience from people on the team. Of course, you can feel some Psychonauts and some Disney in Figment.
Miketendo64: With music being such a huge part of Figment 2: Creed Valley, how involved was the process of constructing the game’s soundtrack and if any, what hardships were faced in the process
Hans Haave: Niels is the lead game and audio designer. There’s a lot of audio cues and musical moments woven into the gameplay. Cliff trumpets, bongo plants, and piano bridges populate areas to create unique environments, also adding layers to the soundtrack.
Miketendo64: With Figment being the puzzle games that they are, how do you design the puzzles you create? Is there anything specific you try to design? What’s the differences between the puzzles that do make the cut and don’t?
Hans Haave: Niels starts with the general theme and constraints of an area. For example, the Ethics Maze in Figment 2 is composed of circular rooms and represents our ability to judge if thoughts are valid or not worth having. So, there’s some logic puzzles as well as combat to symbolize the struggle it is to have these thoughts.
A lot of QA goes into the puzzles to make sure we’re not creating anything too linear or too obscure for people to solve.
Miketendo64: Are there any puzzles you couldn’t implement in Figment 2: Creed Valley that you hope to use for a future game?
Hans Haave: Perhaps, can’t say much about that.
About Figment 2: Creed Valley:
Figment 2: Creed Valley is an action-adventure game set in the human mind. Nightmares are spreading chaos and enemies have overrun once-peaceful lands. Join Dusty, the Mind’s courage, as you make your way through puzzles, musical boss fights and unique environments. Face your fears head-on.
Nightmares have shattered the Moral Compass, making The Mind unable to function properly. Dusty and his ever-optimistic sidekick, Piper, must travel to Creed Valley, where The Mind’s ideals are formed to restore peace. A journey filled with musical showdowns and mind-bending puzzles awaits.
- Musical Showdowns – Nightmares have their own theme songs, shining light on why they have appeared. Dodge and weave as they taunt you.
- A Living, Rhythmic World – Chat with The Mind’s ever-changing opinions and tune in to the world’s rhythm.
- One Mind, Two Perspectives – Explore The Mind’s two fundamental states: Open-minded and Closed-minded. Switch between states and adapt to the shifting environment to move forward.
- Rack Your Brain, Hone Your Sword – Prove your mental and physical strength through mind-bending puzzles and fights timed to the soundtrack.
- Companion Mode – We should never have to face our fears alone. Piper is now a controllable character for local co-op.
Figment 2: Creed Valley releases on Nintendo Switch on August 19, 2022. For more tantalizing interview extracts, we hope you check out the next instalment.
