When Creatures Of Ava was first announced everyone immediately thought “another Pokémon clone”. However once you dig a little deeper and see the beauty and charm of the game you realize while it may have a few elements of the legendary franchise it is a much different experience.
Developer Inverge Studio has set out to make a game that stands out rather than blends in. While most games about monsters or animals is all about capturing or taming them, Creatures Of Ava is all about saving them. The world of Ava has become infected which has caused the native animals to become enraged. It is your job to heal them and save them from the world itself.
Perhaps the most intriguing part about Creatures Of Ava is it’s non violent combat. Equipped with a flute instead of a weapon can certainly make for a tough way to handle an enraged creature, but Inverge is determined to make it work, and make it work well.
Recently we were able to catch up with Inverge Studios CEO and Creatures of Ava Game Designer and Game Director Pablo MartÃnez to discuss the game which is launching August 7th as an Xbox console exclusive and on PC. The game is also launching day one into Xbox Game Pass.
We hope you enjoy this interview and after reading it become more interested in the game, I know after conducting it I certainly am.
The natural assumption people made when seeing Creatures of Ava at first glance is that it’s another take on the Pokémon style of gameplay but it really is much more unique than that. Can you explain to viewers who might think that way what makes Creatures Of Ava so unique in the genre?
We are flattered that our creatures remind people of a saga as well-known as Pokémon. However, the gameplay we envisioned is entirely different. In Ava, players do not capture creatures for their benefit or use them in battles. From the beginning, our vision was for players to care for, help, and ultimately rescue the creatures inhabiting the planet, just as we would with animals on Earth.
In Ava, players eliminate the infection that spreads across the planet and its creatures using a magic staff capable of absorbing and cleansing it. This involves a non-aggressive form of combat where the main goal is to calm multiple creatures simultaneously with the staff’s magical powers, without causing any harm.
Additionally, players are given a unique flute by the planet’s natives. By playing this flute, they can soothe aggressive creatures, guide them to rescue zones, and even see through their eyes. Players can also ask the creatures to perform tasks, such as using a Kraj’s bite to break a rope or a Yekembo’s headbutt to knock down a pillar.
Can you talk a bit about the creatures themselves. How many different kinds there are. Do they all react differently to the infection plaguing the world?
In Ava, you will encounter 21 different species of creatures. As a small team, we have prioritized quality over quantity. Each creature is inspired by various animals from Earth, then infused with the unique essence of planet Ava. We’ve meticulously designed these creatures to be not only visually stunning but also dynamic in their interactions with players. Most importantly, you can pet every single one of them!
Each species has evolved to adapt to its specific environment and can interact with the world in various ways. However, when infected, they all become highly aggressive and eventually disintegrate into dust. Fortunately, you are there to help them.
With the goal being to save all the creatures rather than capture them is there some sort of Rolodex of creatures as you try to save them all or is it really about saving every creature you come across even if you’ve already saved one of that species?
In Ava, you need to rescue a specific number of specimens for each species to consider it saved, but the more you rescue, the better for them. Just like in real life, when a species is nearing extinction, it’s crucial to help them recover their natural numbers to avoid extinction. As you explore the game, take pictures, and rescue creatures, you will complete the Avapedia-an encyclopedia of Ava with unique information about the planet. This Avapedia will also inform you about how many creatures you need to rescue to reach each milestone.
You’ve put a lot of emphasis on the fact that there is no violent combat in the game and how difficult it was to navigate that in the early going. Was there ever a point where you considered abandoning that idea and going with a more traditional combat system to make life easier?
Without a doubt, this has been one of the most challenging aspects of the development process. From the beginning, the main theme of Ava has been animal rescue. We explored both more cartoonish and realistic approaches before settling on a balanced middle ground, which is the version of Ava you see today.
Despite the challenges, we were clear that we wanted to focus on showcasing the unique qualities of each creature. This included exploring the different attacks they could use against you and highlighting their adaptations to various parts and biomes of the planet.
We didn’t want players to confront the creatures without reason or cause them harm. Therefore, the infection that spreads on Ava also affects the creatures, making them rabid and dangerous. With our staff, players can absorb this infection without harming the creatures and rescue them from Ava on the brink of cataclysm.
Is the plan for Creatures Of Ava to be an evolving, live service game with added species and new maps over time?
No, Ava will not be a live service. However, if it is well received by players, we might consider working on a DLC!
