WaxHeart (GDC Demo)
A downloadable game for Windows and macOS
Wishlist the full game on Steam
WaxHeart is an atmospheric horror 3D platformer where you play as a wax boy with a lantern for a heart, journeying through a dark, ruined world in search of his lost memory.
It’s an adventure set in a sunless world filled with monsters and mysteries. The light from your lantern-heart helps you find your way through the darkness, but also alerts monsters of your presence.
As you explore, you will discover the cruel fate of the world, and the role you play in it.
This is a shortened, 20-minute demo that was showcased at GDC 2023.
Help us improve the game by filling out the Post-Demo Survey!
Learn more about the project on our website, and join our mailing list for updates!
For publishing & business inquiries: waxheartgame@gmail.com
Quick Links: Website | Post-Demo Survey
Download
Install instructions
Windows
- Unzip the file into a new folder.
- Run "WaxHeart_Prototype.exe"
If you receive a windows security warning, you can select "More Info" then "Run Anyway"
Mac OSX
NOTE: Mac users may experience some stability issues. We are currently in the process of hunting them down!
Development log
- Steam Demo LaunchJun 17, 2023
- Looking For Playtesters!May 29, 2023
- Windows 64-bit FixApr 24, 2023
- WaxHeart - "Ichor Horror" Sneak PeekApr 13, 2023
- WaxHeart Demo - Update (OSX - v0.0.193)Apr 07, 2023
- WaxHeart Demo - Update (v0.0.192)Apr 05, 2023
Comments
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Thanks for playing!💛
Overall I think this was great.
Game mechanics are presented pretty intuitively together with the level design. I never really got stuck and I always get stuck in games lol. I hope there's more game mechanics with light physics.
My main complaints are bad stuttering in 1-2 areas and a better way to engage the story/world with the player. I (think) saw an NPC and just wish there was some way to interact as a way to encourage some exploration.
Thanks for playing!
We actually have a much more fleshed out demo available on Steam that you can check out if you want to see more!
We’re actively working on increasing the presence of the narrative in the demo, and we’re excited to show it off in our 1.1 Steam demo release! :)
A good Game! Kudos to the developer(s)!
Thanks for playing!
If you’d like to see more, we have a much longer demo coming out later this month. :)
Cool game
I like the atmosphere and story seems interesting.
The heat mechanic was very cool too and especially liked that holding breath mechanic.
I don't know if I would call it a 3d platformer I feel like It's more of action adventure game but eh that's not that important. (maybe some people could be disappointed?)
The game runs a bit poorly (game jumped between 20 to over 60 fps , with average that felt like 30) I don't have newest PC but games with similar graphic style like "blue fire" run in 60 fps so I would suggest to try to optimize game a bit.
I got stuck for like 10 min at the first time with those monsters because I didn't know how to open that door, (maybe you can make it a bit more clear?) also there was a time I got stuck in a corner while escaping from a monster and I had to go to the menu.
Last thing, with that jump when that one monster chases you I didn't notice that there was a hole and I didn't jump so maybe you can make it a bit more noticeable.
Overall I like it and all the problems I had so far are nothing that can't be fixed
Thanks for the feedback, and we’re glad you enjoyed it!
We’re actively developing a new, longer version of the demo, and I think that you’ll find that a lot of those issues have been resolved in this new version. We’ve done a lot of optimization and fixed most cases where players can get stuck. :)
The GDC demo skips over a section where we teach interaction, how objects are color coded, and that you won’t get a prompt every time you interact with something. Hopefully, players won’t get stuck at that door in the full version!
That jump is an interesting design conversation. The team and I have talked a lot about it, and we’ve improved the visibility of it a lot already. I’m thinking that it could still use some environmental cues in the straightaway leading up to it.
As far as the “3D Platformer” classification, I see what you mean. It’s difficult to pin down the exact genre. I wouldn’t call it an “action adventure” game, because players would expect combat. We’re using “3D Platformer” because that’s the best fit we can find, and other games we reference use it - like Journey and ABZU.
Thanks Michael for emailing me about the game!
Thanks for trying it out!
The team really appreciates the feedback, and we’re already actively working on some of the issues you called out.
Thanks for playing!💛
Vraiment cool et beau !
Hate de voir la version complete =]
Merci d’avoir joué! 💛
Cool game! I think it would make the game a bit more fun if I can see how many candles I lit out of all the candles in the entire level. Playing around the idea of placing candles nearby monsters in newer levels would make the game more challenging to those looking to light up all the candles.
Thanks for playing! 💛
That’s an interesting idea! We had a few conversations internally going back and forth about whether we should display the candle count. We’re currently thinking that it should be a Steam achievement, as a bonus challenge after players complete the base game. :)
With that in mind, placing candles near monsters would definitely make that challenge more interesting!
Fantastic game, I had a lot of fun playing it, and I'm really looking forward to the full game, great job :)
Thanks for playing! 💛
This game is so 🔥🔥🔥🔥!!! Great game!!! 100/10!!!
We’re glad you liked it - Thanks for playing!
The game has some really good potential. Like "It got hosted by Microsoft/Sony/Nintendo" levels of potential. I really like it. Take some time to look at the other playthroughs and see what each of us like about it.
Here's my channel for other games I have played. https://www.youtube.com/@Levont
We’re glad you like it!
That’s some very high praise - thank you!
Hello Michael Wolf, my name is Bruno, I make indie game gameplays on YouTube, here in Brazil, I want to congratulate you for the great project, the game has a lot of potential.
Gameplay Link:
Thank you! We’re glad you liked it!
I watched the video with auto-translate, and I was able to understand most of the commentary.
I saw your comment about localization. We plan to localize it in the future, and I’ll make sure we include Portuguese when we do. :)
Wow! This is freaking cool! I am excited to see where this leads. It's obviously still in need of polish but not a bad start! The opening was interesting, I like the sort of environmental storytelling thing you are trying for so far and this was a good demonstration of the games intended mechanics! The camera controls can be a bit wonky and the movement can be a bit loose, but overall I enjoyed it!
We’re glad you liked it! Improving the camera controls is definitely our first priority right now - it’ll definitely be more polished in the vertical slice that we’ll be releasing later this year.
Awesome possum! Looking forward to the next release