We forgot to do a devlog, so here ya go!
So, we decided to build a game around Isaiah 9:2, with a nod to James 1:3-4. You are persevering in a cave system, while discovering artifacts (books) which are capable of bringing a great light to the darkness around you when given to the right person. We did try to release some foxes into the caves as well (Song of Solomon 2:15), but the only plants we could reliably grow in the caves were mushrooms, so the foxes didn't last long. Though if you pay special attention, you might see one fox who found a home deep in the caves.
We decided to "vibe" with the verses rather than creating an overly restrictive extended metaphor. In general, the goal was to explore themes of light and darkness in a way that is interesting and fun. The core inventory management mechanic was inspired by games like In Other Waters and Backpack Heroes, and the travel map was mostly lifted from FTL.
We made this as a part of the Community Game project, with a hope that the game might be picked up and finished by a larger team. Our team consisted of a programmer, writer/designer, and audio guy, which is why we ended up relying on AI for the visuals. Ideally, we'll find a visual artist who can give it a facelift :) Even so, we are quite proud of what we were able to do with a limited time, and I think the overall atmosphere turned out great, even with some generated assets in place.
If you missed it, the robot is named Ferno because you can create a big fire by putting books and stuff IN Ferno. Get it? Inferno! Ok, I'll see myself out now...