Introduction

Beyond the Oaks (BTO) is a story-driven, open world third-person shooter game, which weaves a compelling narrative through a rich open world, begging to be explored. We want to give the player options as to how they tackle the challenges that are presented, and the freedom to explore the diverse world we’ve created as much as they like. 

In this way, BTO has been designed narratively so that the gameplay melds with the key story themes that are explored: what is freedom, and is control ever justifiable if the controlled party is oblivious? The story follows Andrew Jackson, a disillusioned executive who finds himself trapped in a dense forest by an invisible forcefield, and must solve the mystery of why he came to be there to return to his family. 

Story

The game is set in present day Saskatchewan in the boreal forest region - the world’s largest forest. With over 1 billion acres of forest, it’s not hard to believe that much of it is unexplored, and may house many secrets. When Andrew encounters a village seemingly frozen in the 17th Century, and evidence of a futuristic alien faction, he must solve the mystery of how the two are related so that he can return home. The story challenges conventions and subverts expectations, whilst also commenting on our society’s reliance on technology and how advanced technology is virtually indistinguishable from magic.

Players are aided an AI-infused futuristic space suit, which grants Andrew a number of upgradeable abilities. These follow three main skill branches: stealth tech, battle tech, and defense tech. Players can choose to master one skill branch or evenly distribute abilities, resulting in many different ways to approach enemies and significant replayability. In addition to combat, BTO features puzzle rooms and a plethora of side quests, which reward the player with additional equipment and upgrades.