KYORA dev update overhauls character design and gear systems

There is a specific kind of paralysis that occurs when a game offers a robust character creator, usually resulting in me spending three hours customizing my avatar’s nose before actually playing the game.

According to a new development update from Chucklefish, the upcoming title KYORA is leaning heavily into that paralysis. Linus, the Gameplay Lead at developer Pugstorm, writes that the team has "overhauled and refined almost everything in the game" since its initial reveal. The latest update focuses specifically on the new character customization and gear systems.

Work in Progress

While the update shows off the new direction for character design, Pugstorm is managing expectations regarding the final implementation. The studio notes that the current look is not final.

"Everything from the UI, to the customization options that players will have available to them will be changed and improved," Linus wrote.

This type of transparency is standard for Pugstorm. The developer is working under the publishing umbrella of Chucklefish, a company that built its reputation on the backs of highly customizable sandbox games like Starbound. If KYORA follows a similar trajectory, the gear system will likely prioritize player expression alongside raw stats.

For those tracking the development, this overhaul suggests the game is moving out of the conceptual phase and into the "bolting things down" phase. We will have to wait to see just how deep the customization rabbit hole goes when the game eventually launches. And I'm here for it!