FEROCIOUSbegins with the player shipwrecked on a mysterious island. From the very first moment, it is obvious that the island is far from deserted; but exactly who—and what—lives there, and why, formsFEROCIOUS’central mystery. As players explore the island, they will encounter human mercenaries working for a sinister corporation as well as dinosaurs thriving in the modern day. The conflict between these two factions, the forces of man and the forces of nature, is atFEROCIOUS’core.
In a conversation with Game Rant, OMYOG studio founder Leonard Saalfrank andFEROCIOUSwriter Dominik Hochwald discussed the importance of the “man vs. nature” conflict inFEROCIOUS.The inclusion of the two factions allowed the game’sfirst-person shooter gameplayto be varied, with battles against groups of human mercenaries feeling very different than facing down a raptor or aTyrannosaurus rex. Players are also able to develop an emotional relationship with the dinosaurs by seeing them as more than hostile enemies and even learning how to communicate with them.
FEROCIOUS’Dinosaurs Are Simply Living Their Lives
“This was one of our biggest themes, the connection with nature,” said Hochwald ofFEROCIOUS’story. At the beginning of the game, the dinosaurs are this mysterious and perhaps intimidating force. Players will likely come into conflict with them, as Saalfrank hinted that players may find themselves ambushed by someparticularly clever raptors. However, Hochwald encouragedFEROCIOUS’players to “[not] call the dinosaurs hostile. They’re wild animals…It’s in [their] nature.”
Ultimately, Hochwald revealed, players will be able to “fight together with the dinosaurs against this ruthless company” with the aid of the Dinosaur Communication Device, allowing them to forge a deeper relationship:
“We have this huge twist that you have a scientific device developed by a scientist of this company who lives in exile and is not on good terms with this company anymore. And she provides us with this gadget so that we can learn to communicate with the dinosaurs and actually work together with them.”
Even before the player learns to communicate withFEROCIOUS’dinosaurs, they begin to embrace the “nature” side of the man vs. nature conflict by taking care of a babyTyrannosaurus rexthey encounter on the island. “It has such an emotional core impact on the relationship that the main character develops toward the dinosaurs,” said Hochwald. The team wasn’t able to reveal the full extent ofthis adorable creature’s role in the story, but described it as the first step towards truly becoming able to understand the dinosaurs and their plight.
The Man vs. Nature Conflict Also Shines InFEROCIOUS’Survival Gameplay
WhileFEROCIOUSis primarily a first-person shooter, it does feature survival elements, which Saalfrank compared to theTomb RaiderandResident Evilgames. Players will have to forage around the island for materials to craft items such as bandages and spears. Saalfrank hopes that these survival elements will draw players closer to the “nature” side of the conflict. “The game is a bit of this ‘nature versus man’ feel, and you get what you need more from nature than from the mercenaries,” he explained. “You survive off the foods you find in nature.
FEROCIOUSis a ways off from release yet, but the team is excited to introduce players to its rich world inhabited by shady mercenaries and visually stunning dinosaurs. Players will immerse themselves in the man vs. nature conflict from the moment they first wash up on the island, as they encounter both factions in their struggle to survive.FEROCIOUSis more than just afirst-person shooter: it’s a compelling story about teaming up with majestic modern-day dinosaurs to take down a sinister and far-reaching corporation.
