Flintlock: The Siege of Dawnis a third-person action RPG described as a Soulslite by developer A44 Games. The studio is known for its 2018 title,Ashen, which was a more traditional Soulslike.Flintlock: The Siege of Dawnretains much of the core of the genre but contains a wider breadth of accessibility and flexibility in design, while still offering higher difficulty options for players who prefer a more challenging experience.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn’s story revolves around a catastrophic event when the mystical barrier between worlds known as the Door to the Great Below is split open. Central to this endeavor is that protagonist Nor Vanek will be joined by ananimal-like companionnamed Enki, who is actually one of these Gods. Delving further into the important part that Enki plays, lead narrative designer Daniel Baider discussed the team’s approach to creating and integrating Enki in Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn during a Game Rant Advance interview.The following interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawnwill be available onJuly 18, 2024. It will also be included on Xbox Game Pass.
Enki’s Mythological Roots and Design
Q: Enki shares a name with a Mesopotamian God. How similar would you say the fictional character is compared to the mythological being?
Baider:That depends on which version of themythological beingyou’re asking about! The Mesopotamian God Enki features in a range of myths from across different time periods, all of which present his character slightly differently. As the game tells an original story,Flintlock’s Enki doesn’t correspond directly to any specific myth. However, he does share character traits from certain depictions of the Mesopotamian Enki, such as sympathy for humankind.
Q: Can you talk a little bit about designing Enki’s appearance? How drastically has the creature changed throughout development?
Baider:Enki was afox-like creaturefrom the beginning, although the elements borrowed from other animals (such as his monkey-like paws and feathers) were introduced in later iterations to make his appearance feel more otherworldly and unusual. Adding things like his iridescent feathers instead of typical fur also helps with his status as a God, making him really feel unique and different from the other creatures in the world.
Q: Could you explain the lore behind Enki’s magic portals?
Baider:Flintlock’s Gods are the source of the world’s magic and Enki is no exception. His particular skills include the ability to teleport short distances and to curse his enemies by exposing their weaknesses. Portals (called “Rifts”) are instabilities in the fabric of the Great Below caused by the Gods' intrusion into a world they don’t belong in.
They allow Enki and other Gods to temporarily access the Great Below’s magic to move themselves and their allies through otherwise impassable areas. In gameplay terms, they allow the player toquickly move around the environmentor reach new heights, sometimes unlocking shortcuts and new paths to collect gear or crafting materials.
Enki’s Role in Flintlock’s Story, Gameplay, and Relationship with Nor
Q: How drastically does the relationship between Enki and Nor change over the game?
Baider:Nor and Enki’s relationship is the emotional heart of the game. We’re keen to see players explore the ups and downs of their relationship, but it’s safe to say that it starts with a truce between two characters used to fending for themselves, and grows increasingly complex as they are pushed into situations forcing them to trust each other.
Players should definitely try toexplore optional areas of the worldor take on side quests to see the most of Nor and Enki’s relationship too, as some of their conversations as they discover unique areas or resolve certain situations can really help bring their characters to life.
Q: On his own, what does Enki add to the story and lore ofFlintlock: The Siege of Dawn?
Baider:Enki has experienced manyaspects ofFlintlock: The Siege of Dawn’s world that Nor hasn’t, meaning conversations with him will be a window for players to better understand the lore as they progress through the game. A lot of these conversations take place as you explore the environment too, so it can be rewarding to stop and listen to Nor and Enki’s interactions and learn more about the world and its history.
Regarding the other Gods in particular, the player will also get to know them as characters through Enki’s eyes and not just bosses. We’re hopeful this can lend an extra dynamic to the story for players too, explaining the Gods’ motivations a little more than just being boss battles.
Q: Enki also adds another layer to the combat aside from melee and firearms. How early on in the game was this decided, and what does Enki accomplish gameplay-wise that other mechanics perhaps couldn’t?
Baider:Enki was a significant part ofFlintlock: The Siege of Dawn’s combatfrom conception; it was clear that for players to build a meaningful bond with Enki, he should share the same challenges they face throughout the game. Gameplay-wise, Enki is the source of the player’s magic in contrast to Nor’s gunpowder and related abilities.
As an action RPG with Souls-lite elements, it was important to give players a way to subvert seemingly unforgiving challenges, and many of Enki’s magical abilities (his Witherings in particular) accomplish exactly that. Not only is there a skill tree that can enhance Enki’s abilities, but players will also unlock new Witherings and discover rare Cursed Stones that can add even more options to Enki’s, and therefore the player’s, arsenal.
Can You Pet the God?
Q: Most important question: can we actually pet Enki?
Baider:There’s nodedicated button for pattingEnki as he is, after all, a God and would never willingly subject himself to such indignity. As for whether it ever happens in the game, even Gods can’t predict the future…
Q: As a bit of a fun question, how’s Enki acclimating to social media/Twitter and what’s their timeline like?
Baider:After an initial adjustment period, Enki has understood not to take everything on Twitter literally and is now quite at home on the platform. His timeline is full of messages of affirmation confirming him as the realmain character ofFlintlock.
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Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
WHERE TO PLAY
From games studio A44, makers of Ashen, comes an explosive Souls-lite, where Gods and guns collide in a battle for the future of humanity.The Door to the Great Below has been opened unleashing the Gods and their armies of the Dead. The lands of Kian are besieged, the city of Dawn is on the brink of destruction. It’s time for the Coalition army to fight back. Embrace vengeance, gunpowder and magic as you embark on an epic journey to defeat the Gods, close the door and retake the world.Kill all gods.Your battle begins now.
