We're Mystic Games, a tiny indie studio working out of India. A.S.H.: A Sword's Heart is our first game, and this topic is where we'll be sharing how it comes together.

It's a third-person action game with a painted, ink-and-woodblock look. Sword combat is built around weight: light chains that flow into each other, heavy strikes that commit, a guard-break kick to open up a turtling enemy, and a parry that rewards good timing. The opening setting is a village you can break apart in a fight, and one that keeps living around you between fights.

Episode 1: Blood is coming soon, and it's free: https://mysticgames-in.itch.io/a-swords-heart. We'd love feedback on the art direction especially, does the painted, ink-brush look read well to you?