Universe

At the dawn of time, from the primordial explosion of the Big Bang, a singular entity emerged: a fusion of chaos and order that embodied both light and darkness. That entity was God and Satan — two faces of the same coin, whose collaboration gave rise to the universe and the Earth.

When it came time to create an intelligent species, their visions diverged. Humanity became the battleground of two opposing wills, unleashing a conflict that ultimately split God and Satan into separate beings.

After millennia of struggle, God managed to subdue Satan and cast him into the dark abyss of the underworld. But Satan, far from surrendering, began to influence human creation in subtle and perverse ways: he sent a serpent to tempt the first men, dragging them into sin, expelling them from paradise, and corrupting them on Earth — beyond the reach of divine grace.

The further humanity drifts from that grace, the closer they draw to Satan's power. He waits patiently in the underworld, ready to receive the souls that cross to the other side. Yet some seek penitence — trying to redeem themselves and avoid their dark fate.

Something unsettling stirs in the depths: the gates of the underworld appear to open even for those still living, while a shadow conspires to bring non-mortal beings into its kingdom of darkness.

Abyss Glossary

Absorption The player's initial state upon entering the Abyss. You are neither alive nor dead — suspended between both worlds, like a vessel holding the outline of who you once were.

Gate A colossal door marking the entrance to the underworld. It demands a blood offering and symbolizes the judgment of the player's sins.

Blood Shards A resource obtained by defeating enemies or completing challenges. Used to progress and unlock upgrades during the descent.

Abyss The game's primary environment. It represents both the Christian Hell and a space of extreme trials where every decision is irreversible.

Sin Every mistake or defeat has consequences — in the story and in the game's mechanics. Sins must be atoned for by facing harder challenges.

Bosses Unique enemies that appear every five levels (planned for the final version). They represent key trials that test skill, reflexes, and strategy.

Common enemies Creatures that patrol the Abyss with specific attack patterns. They teach the player to master combat and movement.

Hostile environment Traps, ambushes, and environmental elements that ramp up tension and force you to think before acting.

Vertical slice A playable prototype version showcasing a complete level with combat, movement, and a boss encounter — built for testing and feedback.

Catalepsy

After your absorption, you wake in an infinite white space — the antechamber between heaven and the abyss. Having never known death, you drift suspended between both worlds, unsure whether you are something real or merely an empty shell of what you once were.

Before you, a colossal gate rises, displaying the sins you must expiate in the underworld. Its doors open slowly, and an unknown force drags you inside.

Upon arrival, you find yourself bound to the gate — consumed by an insatiable thirst for blood. You are neither alive nor dead, just a hungry, desperate vessel. The gate demands blood as payment for your sins, and you soon understand you cannot ignore its call.

To obtain it, you must throw yourself into the abyss, facing an uncertain and terrifying fate. As you fall toward the unknown, you ask yourself whether you'll survive this trial, whether you'll manage to redeem your failures, and whether you'll ever reclaim your humanity.

Doubt and fear grip you — but only your determination, and the passage of time, will reveal your fate on this dark and murky journey into the unknown.

Gameplay

Deep in the Infernal Abyss, a challenge that doesn't forgive awaits — reserved only for those who dare enter its depths. This vast underground domain unfolds across 20 procedurally generated levels, where every room brings unique dangers, hidden traps, and enemies shaped by sin. The journey tests not just skill, but will — demanding courage and persistence. And in the deepest corners of the Abyss, secrets lie buried that were never meant to be found.

How to play

Before starting a run, plan carefully: which abilities to bring, which modifiers to prioritize, which weapons to invest in. Preparation and game knowledge are what keep you alive.

The rules are non-negotiable:

• You cannot ascend in the Infernal Abyss.
• Death is permanent.
• On death, you lose all rewards obtained during the run.
• Dying or abandoning the abyss sends you back to the beginning.

Once you descend, you push through 20 levels of escalating challenges. The inability to turn back is what makes every step matter.

Sections

The 20 levels are split into 5 thematic sections, each with its own atmosphere and specific challenges. At the end of every section, a formidable boss guards the entrance to the next stretch of the Abyss. Defeating it earns rewards — and forces a choice: keep descending, or retreat with what you've earned.

Levels

Each level is composed of 6 to 8 procedurally generated rooms, each with its own challenges. Clear all rooms to advance to the next level. The combination of procedural generation and strategic design ensures no two runs play the same.

Controls

The Dweller

You play as an undead entity known as the Dweller — a creature trapped between life and death, whose existence depends on the blood it absorbs.

When drained of blood, the Dweller's body appears completely white: hollow, lifeless, empty. As it absorbs blood, its skin begins to flush red — vitality and strength returning gradually, visibly.

This visual transformation isn't just cosmetic. It's an intuitive read on your current state, and a constant reminder of the desperate fight to survive in a hostile, unforgiving world.

Health System

The health system is built around three resources: Platelets, Blood, and Plasma.

• Platelets: Your shield. When you take damage, Platelets activate to form a temporary barrier that absorbs the hit. When the bar hits zero, incoming damage goes straight to Blood.
• Blood: Your health. Every hit that gets through reduces it. If it reaches zero, you die.
• Plasma: Your energy for dodging. Every dodge consumes Plasma.

The Gate

The gates of the underworld are vivid manifestations of the sins accumulated by humans throughout their lives. Each gate rises imposingly, displaying the individual's errors and transgressions before their own eyes. To atone for those sins and advance through the depths, you must feed the gate blood shards — raising its level and unlocking access to darker, deeper reaches of the realm.

Rarities

A gate's rarity directly determines its strategic potential through the amulet slot system.

Each gate has four slots total for equipping amulets — objects that modify your luck in the Abyss. But the number of slots unlocked at the start depends on its rarity.

Additional slots can be unlocked through in-game progression. Even a common gate, with enough dedication, can reach its full potential.

Fortitude Rank

The gate is the central axis of player progression. Each gate can evolve through Fortitude Ranks and levels.

Levels and Ranks

The system consists of four Fortitude Ranks: Fortitude I, II, III, and IV.

Each rank contains 10 progression levels:

• Level 5: Unlocks secondary abilities, adding new strategic tools.
• Level 10: A crucial milestone that unlocks:
  • A primary ability, tied to your combat style and weapons.
  • A new Sin — a special ability that modifies key game mechanics.
  • A relic slot, expanding the gate's tactical potential.
  • Access to the next Fortitude Rank.

When ascending from one rank to the next, the level resets back to 1 in the new Fortitude. This structure provides depth and replayability while delivering a constant sense of progress and reward.

Abyss Exploration

Fortitude Rank doesn't just measure the Dweller's power — it determines access to the levels of the Infernal Abyss. As you descend, you'll encounter imposing bosses that serve as narrative, mechanical, and symbolic checkpoints.

After each boss — located every five levels — the Abyss requires a minimum Fortitude Rank to allow further descent. This barrier isn't just a technical requirement; it's a manifestation of the underworld itself, evaluating your sacrifice, skill, and growth.

This structure sets a clear progression rhythm — forcing you to upgrade your gate, sharpen your abilities, and prepare mentally and strategically for the increasingly brutal challenges waiting in the depths.

Only those who have earned their place with blood and effort will be worthy of reaching the end of the abyss.

Infernal Abyss

Every corner of the Infernal Abyss is designed to break the player's will. There is no safe ground, no respite for the careless. Everything here is alive — and wants you dead.

Abyssal creatures emerge from the shadows with relentless ferocity. These dark entities, twisted by the corruption of the underworld, stalk with unpredictable tactics and savage cunning. Some, under the direct influence of the abyss, suffer mutations that make them even more formidable — forcing constant adaptation if you want to survive.

But the fauna isn't the only threat. The abyss's own flora is a lethal trap disguised as beauty. Twisted plants, flowers that seduce the eye, and roots that snake underground wait patiently for their next victim. What looks harmless can be your end.

In this environment, every step is a calculated risk, and every decision a double-edged blade. Survival isn't a right — it's a reward you earn through cunning, reflexes, and blood.

The Infernal Abyss is the main dungeon: 20 procedurally generated floors where the horror escalates the deeper you go. Here, every run can be the one that kills you.

Level Structure

Healing: blood as reward

In the abyss, healing is a privilege — and a risk. Resources to restore health or shield are scarce, corrupted, and dangerous to use.

Absorbing them requires complete stillness: any damage or movement interrupts the process, forcing you to choose between exposing yourself... or pushing forward wounded.

Blood Pools: the corrupted gift of life

Coagulated blood pools allow you to recover health — but only if you remain completely still and take no damage during the process.

They're rare, viscous, and slow to use.

Healing in the abyss demands nerves of steel.

Organic Brains: shield in the flesh

Organic brains, embedded in the living flesh of the abyss, let you regenerate your shield — as long as you don't move or take damage during absorption.

Grotesque, vital, and deeply unsettling.

Healing your soul in the abyss costs the same as healing your body: exposure.

Abilities

In the unforgiving underworld, abilities aren't a bonus — they're the core of your power and your survival. Every ability unlocked opens up a unique set of possibilities, essential for overcoming whatever the abyss throws at you without mercy.

Combining abilities is more than strategy: it's defining your identity, your playstyle, and how you'll dominate this brutal world.

With a wide range of effects and powers at your disposal, you have the freedom to shape your Dweller exactly as you need — ready to face the deadly sins and claim your place in the fight for redemption or absolute power.

Note: Player abilities are not finalized and are subject to ongoing changes. The team continuously reviews and adjusts them to ensure a balanced and engaging experience.

Ability Classification

Each Dweller can carry abilities classified into one of four categories:

Each category determines how abilities interact with amulets and modifiers, adding an additional tactical layer.

Ability Levels

You can upgrade your abilities during each run by sacrificing blood shards at altars.

• Primary and secondary abilities can level up during each run.
• Levels reset at the start of a new run.
• This progression rewards exploration, decision-making, and tactical adaptation.

Ability Types

Primary abilities

• The offensive core of combat.
• Allow attacks at both close and long range.
• Executed using the Dweller's own blood — your essence becomes your weapon.

Secondary abilities

• Tactical and support upgrades.
• No direct offensive role.

Special abilities

Powerful abilities with major impact that require careful resource management.

Resources

As you explore the levels of the underworld, you'll encounter a variety of resources that can prove decisive during your run.

Blood Shards

A sharp, translucent, vibrant gem whose sculpted edges reflect a crimson glow against deep shadows.

When shattered, it releases the ancestral blood held within — connecting the bearer to the pacts sealed in the abyss.

Blood Shards aren't just beautiful: they're the most valuable currency in the underworld, used to:

• Access forbidden resources
• Upgrade abilities
• Craft amulets
• Unlock arcane secrets

Coveted, dangerous, and loaded with symbolism — they represent the will to sacrifice in order to advance.

Infernal Essences

Infernal Essences are floating fragments of energy scattered across the surface and the Abyss, bound to lost souls.

Collecting them connects you to the world's narrative and unlocks key story progress. Some are guarded by enemies or obstacles, and dying causes you to lose a percentage of collected essences — adding tension and strategic value to every exploration decision.

Abyss Items

Abyssal Key

Forged in the depths where light has died, this key is wrapped in a dark, malleable aura — as though it still carries fragments of the abyss inside it.

Said to have been created by the first entities who descended voluntarily. Its only purpose: opening the Abyssal Chests, sealed for millennia.

Possessing an Abyssal Key is an invitation to tempt fate.

Abyssal Chest

An ancient chest with an organic, mineral appearance — covered in forgotten inscriptions and locks carved from black bone.

Found hidden in the deepest zones of the abyss, guarded by entities that have no intention of letting their contents be released.

Each Chest can contain:

• Forbidden artifacts
• Sealed story fragments
• Rewards capable of altering the Dweller's fate

Only an Abyssal Key can open them... and not everyone who does survives what they find.

Modifiers

Modifiers are mutations that alter and amplify the Dweller's abilities, found exclusively inside the abyss. Their purpose is clear: deepen the strategy, force difficult decisions, and make every run feel different.

Each primary and secondary ability can receive up to three unique modifiers, capable of:

• Increasing damage dealt
• Reducing the Plasma cost to activate the ability
• Extending the range or duration of its effects
• Completely changing how the ability behaves, opening new tactical approaches

You won't always find modifiers that fit the abilities you've equipped. That's intentional — it forces improvisation, mid-run strategy shifts, and adaptation to the abyss's hostile ecosystem.

An enigmatic figure — a merchant from the depths — runs the Shop, where you can:

• Swap abilities if the modifiers you've found open up new synergies
• Sell or transmute useless modifiers, keeping your build focused and sharp

This system rewards mental flexibility, punishes rigidity, and makes replayability a fundamental pillar of Catalepsy. In the abyss, adapting isn't optional — it's how you survive.

Amulets

Blood Amulets are sacred relics — fragments of corrupted faith — that you can embed in your Gate to manipulate luck inside the abyss.

They don't offer direct power or healing. Instead, they shift the odds of the environment, bending the hand of chance toward more favorable paths.

Each one is inspired by decadent Christian symbols — blackened rosaries, rusted medals, bloody reliquaries, and forgotten prayers — connecting you to forces that transcend the physical.

Influence on Chance

• Luck determines the probability of finding useful modifiers and key structures inside the abyss
• There is no "global luck": you must specialize and choose which kind of fate you want to alter
• Equipping the right amulets can mean the difference between a doomed run and a glorious ascent

Equipment Capacity

You can equip up to 4 amulets simultaneously, one for each Gate Fortitude level activated.

Amulet Types

Amulet Rarity

Amulets are classified into four tiers of religious rarity, each more powerful than the last:

Crafting System

Amulets can be crafted by combining fragments, following a ritual progression:

How to Obtain Them

• Complete amulets can only be found in extremely rare chests or, with low probability, in the Abyss Shop
• Fragments can be obtained through:
  • Battle Pass rewards
  • Daily missions
  • Special events or secret rooms
  • Limited purchases in the shop at high cost

Roadmap

⚠️ Dates are estimates. Game quality takes priority over the schedule.

18 months of development. Early Access at month 12. Full launch at month 18.

This is the plan. We're publishing it because we believe in transparency and because we want the community to be part of the process from the start — not just at the end.

Phase 0 — Foundation (Month 0)

Before writing a single line of code, the base needs to exist: company incorporation, team structure, brand identity, name registration, and official social media setup. Without this, nothing that follows works.

Phase 1 — Planning & Design (Months 1–3)

Full game design: levels, mechanics, enemies, progression. Also the marketing strategy and web ecosystem architecture. Everything needs to be defined before serious building begins.

Phase 2 — Game Development (Months 3–12)

The core of everything. Combat systems, abilities, enemies, UI/UX, progression, integration with Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG. Continuous internal testing and ongoing adjustments. This phase runs in parallel with almost everything else.

Phase 3 — Web Ecosystem Launch (Months 6–7)

• Corporate website with full visual identity
• Official game name reveal
• Game guide with mechanics, narrative, and roadmap
• First official communication to community and press

Phase 4 — Marketing (Months 8–18)

The development docuseries begins: one episode per month for ten months. Transparent development, unfiltered. Targeted campaigns, press kit, content creators, and specialist media. The goal is to arrive at Early Access with an already-formed community — not to build one after launch.

Phase 5 — Early Access on Steam (Month 12)

Catalepsy arrives on Steam in Early Access. Playable build of the complete core. Direct feedback channel with the community. Biweekly updates based on player reports. This is the first real contact with the public — and we're taking it seriously.

Phase 6 — Final Game Teaser (Month 16)

Release of the cinematic trailer for the complete game. Intensified Wishlist campaign on Steam. Coordinated with a docuseries episode to maximize impact.

Phase 7 — Full Launch (Month 18)

Official release on Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG. Season 1 begins with Battle Pass. Final AMA with the community. Docuseries closes. Marketing campaign coordinated with media, content creators, and social channels. Active post-launch support from day one.

Key Milestones

FAQ

The Project

Is the title final? No. Catalepsy is a working title while we register the definitive one. We'll announce it when it's ready. Don't get too attached to the name — but do get attached to the game behind it.

Why a roguelike? Because it's the genre that fits best with what we want to tell and how we want you to play it. We analyzed the market, spotted where there was real room to innovate, and went for it. This isn't a trend decision — it's a design decision.

How is it different from other roguelikes? Third-person perspective, a three-dimensional world, and a narrative that isn't just set dressing: it's part of the game. If you're coming from 2D titles with square rooms and hollow loops, this is something else.

What languages will it be available in? Spanish and English at launch. We'll expand to more languages as development progresses and resources allow.

Why PC only? Because we're a small team, and doing one platform right is worth more than doing three platforms poorly. We're not ruling out other platforms in the future, but right now the focus is PC.

How much will it cost? It's a premium game. We're not going free-to-play because it doesn't fit what we're building or how we want to fund it. The model includes a base purchase, expansions, battle passes, and other initiatives. First we build something solid, then we scale.

Gameplay

What's the goal? Descend through 20 levels of the Infernal Abyss. Each level pushes you further to the edge: tougher enemies, costlier decisions, better rewards. No shortcuts.

How are the levels structured? The 20 levels are split into five sections, each with its own setting, enemies, and mechanics. Each section ends with a boss you have to defeat before descending further.

What happens when I kill a boss? Rewards. And a decision: keep descending into more dangerous territory, or retreat through a prayer and secure what you've earned. That tension between greed and caution is the heart of the game.

What are the rooms like? We're evaluating different approaches to the procedural system. The goal is to break from the traditional room structure that dominates the genre and offer something more organic. We'll share more when we have something concrete to show.

How does progression work? Through the Gate. Each run lets you collect blood shards to raise your Gate's Fortitude Rank, which unlocks abilities and opens access to new zones of the Abyss. It's the only progression that carries over between deaths.

The Dweller

What is the Dweller? Your character. An undead creature trapped between life and death, whose existence depends on the blood it absorbs. Not a hero — a condemned soul with the will to survive.

How does the health system work? Three resources: Platelets (shield), Blood (health), and Plasma (energy for abilities). Platelets absorb damage first. When they run out, Blood starts dropping. If Blood hits zero, you die and start over.

Can you recover health during combat? Yes, but it's not easy. Blood pools restore health if you stay still and don't take damage. Organic brains regenerate the shield. Both options are risky by design — healing in the Abyss is never free.

Does Plasma regenerate on its own? Yes. Slowly during combat, somewhat faster outside of it.

If I die, do I lose everything? All run progress, yes. No save points, no checkpoints. The only things you keep are your Gate progress and blood shards (except on high difficulty, where they can be partially drained on death). Every death is a reset, not a setback.

Can I customize the Dweller? Yes. Everyone starts with the same base appearance, but cosmetics will be available to personalize your Dweller.

The Gate

What is the Gate? The core structure of your permanent progression. It grows stronger between runs and determines how far you can reach in the Abyss and which abilities you can unlock.

How do you upgrade it? By feeding it blood shards collected in the Abyss. More shards, higher rank, more power, more zones accessible.

What are the Fortitude Ranks? Four ranks (I, II, III, and IV), each with 10 levels. At level 5 of each rank you unlock secondary abilities. At level 10, you unlock primary abilities, special abilities, an amulet slot, and access to the next rank.

How does the Gate affect what I can do in the Abyss? Your Rank determines which zones you can access and also the maximum level your abilities can reach during a run. Higher rank, higher ceiling. No shortcuts.

What is the Gate's rarity? It depends on blood type (O, A, B, AB) and determines how many amulet slots you have available by default. Common Gates can unlock all slots through normal progression.

Abilities

How many abilities can I equip? One primary, two secondary, and one special. Four abilities per run. Choose carefully — there's no going back once you descend.

What types of abilities are there? Primaries: offensive attacks powered by blood. Secondaries: support and tactical abilities. Specials: unique powers inspired by the seven deadly sins, capable of turning the tide of a battle.

Can I change abilities mid-run? No. Your loadout is set beforehand. However, there is an extremely rare place inside the Abyss where you can swap one ability for another — at a steep cost. Don't count on finding it.

How are abilities upgraded? By offering blood shards at altars during the run. Levels reset when you die or leave the Abyss.

Modifiers

What are modifiers? Alterations found inside the Abyss that change how your abilities function. They can increase damage, reduce plasma cost, extend range or duration, or completely change how an ability works.

How many can each ability have? Up to three unique modifiers per primary or secondary ability. They aren't shared between abilities.

Do they carry over between runs? No. Like everything you gain inside the Abyss, they're lost when you die or leave. Every descent starts from scratch.

What do I do with modifiers I don't need? You can sell or transmute them at the Depths Merchant's Shop. You can also swap abilities there if you find an interesting synergy with modifiers you've picked up.

Amulets

What are amulets? Corrupted relics embedded in the Gate before a run. They don't grant power directly — they shift the Abyss's probabilities in your favor: better chances of finding certain modifiers, key structures, or valuable loot.

How many can I carry? Up to four, one for each Fortitude level of the Gate unlocked.

Can I change them mid-run? No. You equip them before descending. Once inside, your luck is sealed.

How do you get them? Complete amulets appear in extremely rare chests or with low probability in the Abyss Shop. Fragments can be obtained through the Battle Pass, daily missions, events, secret rooms, or the shop at a high cost.

Can they be crafted? Yes, through a ritual process. You need fragments of the corresponding level plus an amulet from the previous tier to upgrade rarity: Profane → Blessed → Consecrated → Sacred.

Do amulets affect difficulty? Indirectly. They can make a run easier if you choose well, but they can also offer false hope if you combine them badly. Luck favors those who know how to shape it, not those who invoke it blindly.

Resources

What's the main currency? Blood Shards. Used to upgrade the Gate, empower abilities at altars, and trade. They carry over between runs (with exceptions on high difficulty).

What are Infernal Essences? Energy fragments bound to lost souls. Collecting them unlocks key narrative progress. Some are guarded by enemies — and if you die, you may lose part of them.

What are Abyssal Keys? Rare relics that serve one purpose: opening Abyssal Chests — sealed containers holding unique rewards. Use them intentionally, because if you die with one unused, it's gone.

What's inside an Abyssal Chest? Unique artifacts, sealed narrative fragments, strange and powerful modifiers, amulet fragments, or large amounts of shards. They're always worth opening. Getting to them is another story.

Abyssal Descent

What is the Abyssal Descent? The competitive mode. You descend through the Abyss and your performance is evaluated based on time, combat efficiency, and resource usage. Do well, and you climb the season rankings.

How do you participate? Activate competition mode before starting your descent. The game tracks your progress and performance to rank you on a leaderboard that updates throughout the season.

How do seasons work? 35 active days followed by 15 days of rest. During the season there are activities, challenges, and events that affect the narrative and world dynamics.

What are Mutations and Curses? Mutations alter the behavior of certain enemies, adding variety to each run. Curses are decided through community vote and modify game rules, locking certain abilities or advantages. They're an extra layer of difficulty and strategy that changes every season.

Difficulty

How hard is it? If you've played Hades, that's a good reference point: similar difficulty, a real learning curve, and deaths that teach you something. This isn't a game you master in the first few hours.

Are there different difficulty levels? Not at launch. The Abyss has one standard — the same for everyone. A tiered Abyss system is planned for the future, something close to New Game+ — for players who've already mastered the game and want more.

Multiplayer

Is there PvP? Not inside the Abyss. Competition between players is asynchronous: you descend alone and your score is compared against others on the Abyssal Descent leaderboard. No direct encounters, no interruptions.

Is there co-op? Not at launch. A 2-player co-op mode is planned and will arrive through updates. We'll announce it when it's ready.

Launch Content

How much content will the game have at launch? 20 levels, 5 bosses, and 6 primary abilities for the Dweller. Secondary abilities are considerably more — over 20, though we'd rather not commit to a number until the design is finalized. It's a solid foundation built to grow through expansions and updates.

Community & Development

Where can I follow development? Through our social media channels, where we post updates, progress, and news from the project on a regular basis.

Can I give feedback or talk to the team? Yes. The official Discord server is the place for that: bug reports, opinions, ideas, and staying on top of what's coming. It's open access and the team is actively involved.

Will there be Early Access? We're aiming to avoid it. The plan is to launch the full game when it's ready. If our funding situation changes, we'll communicate that clearly — but it's not the goal.