Devlog: My Unity arena roguelike “Chains on Sand” – inspired by DF combat, early mockups + systems inside

Hi all!

I’m working solo on a Unity project called *Chains on Sand*, a dark fantasy arena roguelike inspired by the chaotic beauty of Dwarf Fortress’s combat engine.

The core loop is:

* Start as a weak, unequipped gladiator
* Fight in tactical, turn-based combat
* Win XP, loot enemies, gear up
* Lose and die permanently
* Climb in fame… or fall forgotten

I’m coding systems like limb targeting, knockdowns, blood loss, gear durability, traits, and a popularity mechanic that changes how the crowd reacts to your decisions (e.g., spare or kill a defeated opponent).

The art is still mostly mockups, but I’ve started shaping a visual style using AI placeholders and stylized UI concepts. I’d love any feedback — especially from other solo Unity devs!

[Itch.io page](https://tabulagames.itch.io/chains-on-sand) Happy to answer questions or swap dev tips!

https://redd.it/1jyohop
@r_Unity3D

My first game compared to my last game!
https://redd.it/1jyn73m
@r_Unity3D

It's hard finding time while on active duty, but my hobby project is coming along.

https://redd.it/1jyqfrw
@r_Unity3D

How could I make these blend into the sky like actual celestial bodies in the daytime sky? Keep in mind these are actual models
https://redd.it/1jygclg
@r_Unity3D

Upgrading unity

I'm still on unity 2023.1.7. Is it worth upgrading to unity 6? I'm about 3/4 way through a project I built around the 2023 version and worried that I will have to change a lot to make it work with the new version. Is it worth it?

https://redd.it/1jyt0eg
@r_Unity3D

After 4 years of development, our game Clonizer is officially out today!

https://redd.it/1jytuf8
@r_Unity3D

how do i put ground_spr on top of skybox_spr? the tutorial i was following referred to something called 'sorting layers' but my version of unity is different from theirs.

https://redd.it/1jyv4wt
@r_Unity3D

Finally nailed snowboard trails by making a custom trail renderer, first debug test vs. final in-game result

https://redd.it/1jyvh86
@r_Unity3D

How to go about making a 2d text-based branching game like the one linked?

I found this short narrative game that I really like the style of (https://rosadev.itch.io/soft-underbelly) and would like to make my own version as I'm trying to build out my portfolio as a game writer. However, I have no idea where to start with this sort of thing.

I know that there are purely text-based engines like Twine and Inky but I really like the idea of a far more fleshed-out game in terms of aesthetics similar to the linked game. From what I know about Twine and Inky, they don't seem to have the capability to achieve this unless hooked up to a 2nd engine.

The linked game was made in Unity. Are there specific tutorials/tools/areas of Unity that I should look to use/learn to create a similar game?

https://redd.it/1jyzbkj
@r_Unity3D

Show me the gameobject or at least the noscript name that didn't compile or was deleted plsssss!
https://redd.it/1jz0lic
@r_Unity3D

The night-sky in my new game Ghost Villa

https://redd.it/1jyyclh
@r_Unity3D

We couldn't make our ship float, so we faked it with some camera movement instead. What do you think?

https://redd.it/1jz0pn2
@r_Unity3D

Working on a pixel art tower defense x platformer hybrid game, it's called "Teeko"!
https://redd.it/1jz46q6
@r_Unity3D

Does this look cool?

https://redd.it/1jz5laa
@r_Unity3D

Spent the last month on improving the visuals, animations, effects and the atmosphere. Hope it was worth it? :)

https://redd.it/1jz25wz
@r_Unity3D