*** Solo Project Submission for the GameDev.tv Game Jam 2025 ***

Trapped in a hellish realm where the dead are bound to twisted trials, you are the latest soul chosen by the Puppet Master — a demonic tormentor who delights in suffering & feasts on the essence left by the dead. Each arena, each maze, each enemy is part of his grand performance. You have been reduced to nothing but a toy play thing, tethered to the Puppet Master's strings, survive and perhaps you will break free...

• Fast-paced action with satisfying combat and responsive controls

• Wave & trigger based enemies within dungeon-run & arena levels featuring unique layouts and escalating difficulty

• Choose between 3 Random Upgrades after surviving each wave

• Ultimate abilities unlocked through damage dealt — time them wisely

• Enemies drop Essence - required to buy Weapon Upgrades  - feed the Puppet Master's fire and gain his favour 

Features :

• Enemy variety with melee, ranged & elite enemies
• Skill & position based ranged combat
• Perma-death where Essence gained & Weapon Upgrades purchased persist through each run
• Procedural generation through random upgrade choices each run with more procedurally arranged levels & random level streaming to be include in future development
• Spooky atmosphere using dynamic fog, haunting lighting and hellish visuals
• Minimal UI & zero loading screens - maximises impact & fast pacing - get straight into the action
• A visual style that leans into the tiny world theme — a soul shrunken and toyed with like a demon’s play thing

Controls :

• Left Mouse Click/Hold - Move
• Right Mouse Click/Hold - Fire Arrows
• W - Cast Ultimate Ability
• Spacebar - Dash
• ESC - Pause Game

** Tethered Fate is my first dive into the world of Game Jams, built completely solo in 10 days with all assets either freely sourced or created by myself & inspired by the theme "Tiny World" with thanks to GameDev.tv. The idea being that souls trapped in hell are shrunken down and thrust into a realm of purgatory forced to be a play thing for the Puppet Master demon, being encouraged to feed him the essence of the souls you slay to gain his favour **

Credits to Mixamo & Epics Free Marketplace Assets ( Shoutout to PT Design who provided the assets I used to create the dungeon & arena style levels )

Thank you to anyone who checks out Tethered Fate, any & all feedback is more than welcome! I had a blast creating it. ^^