{"id":819525,"date":"2025-04-01T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/?p=819525"},"modified":"2025-03-31T15:24:48","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T22:24:48","slug":"evard-the-hermit-video-game-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/evard-the-hermit-video-game-development\/","title":{"rendered":"Unveiling the Enigmatic World of Evard the Hermit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the realm of indie game development, a hidden gem is emerging from the creative mind of Estonian artist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/romanson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Roman Gritsuk<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/ljuros.com\/evard_the_hermit_through_fears\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Evard the Hermit: Through Fears<\/strong><\/a> is a captivating 2D Metroidvania that's been quietly brewing for many years, promising a unique blend of medieval adventure and psychological exploration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Evard The Hermit: Through Fears (Trailer)\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/j4xi7K-2v4I?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\"Metroidvania\" is a fun term that describes a video game in which you explore a large, mysterious, interconnected world. The name comes from two classic games that spearheaded the genre: <strong>Metroid<\/strong> and <strong>Castlevania<\/strong>. In these games, you often start with limited resources, information, and skills, and you can\u2019t access certain areas right away. As you play and gain new abilities or items, you can go back and unlock those areas, which keeps the adventure exciting. It\u2019s all about exploring, discovering secrets, and leveling up your character's abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"607\" src=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Evard-the-Hermit-Screenshot-1-Robbers-1080x607.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-819527\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Evard-the-Hermit-Screenshot-1-Robbers-1080x607.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Evard-the-Hermit-Screenshot-1-Robbers-980x551.jpg 980w, https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Evard-the-Hermit-Screenshot-1-Robbers-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1080px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We first did a <a href=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/evard-the-hermit-through-fears\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">story with Roman back in 2020<\/a>, showcasing the beginning stages of the game's development process. Since then, it has developed and progressed greatly -- we now have a demo, <a href=\"https:\/\/store.steampowered.com\/app\/2148120\/Evard_The_Hermit_Through_Fears\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">available on Steam<\/a>, and a release window: the fourth quarter of 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"607\" src=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Evard-the-Hermit-Screenshot-1-Spider-1080x607.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-819528\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Evard-the-Hermit-Screenshot-1-Spider-980x551.jpg 980w, https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Evard-the-Hermit-Screenshot-1-Spider-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1080px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Journey Through Fear and Memory\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Set in the gritty landscape of medieval Europe, players step into the shoes of Evard, a protagonist with an extraordinary and haunting ability: he can absorb the fears of others. This power comes at a steep price, however -- his own psyche becomes a battleground of anxieties and phobias, threatening to erase his very identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"525\" src=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Evard-the-Hermit-Screenshot-3-Map-1080x525.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-819529\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Evard-the-Hermit-Screenshot-3-Map-980x476.jpg 980w, https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Evard-the-Hermit-Screenshot-3-Map-480x233.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1080px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Gameplay That Challenges Mind and Skill\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This Metroidvania isn't just about exploring a vast, interconnected world. It's a test of courage as players:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Confront and overcome various phobias<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unravel Evard's mysterious origins through fragmented flashbacks\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Navigate a post-war medieval society fraught with danger and intrigue\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The game promises a rich tapestry of mechanics, including intense sword fights, stealthy maneuvers, and precarious balancing acts \u2013 all hallmarks of a true medieval gameplay experience.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"607\" src=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Evard-the-Hermit-Screenshot-4-Strength-1080x607.jpg\" alt=\"Evard the Hermit Screenshot 4 - Strength\" class=\"wp-image-819530\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Evard-the-Hermit-Screenshot-4-Strength-980x551.jpg 980w, https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Evard-the-Hermit-Screenshot-4-Strength-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1080px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Labor of Love\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Roman Gritsuk's dedication to Evard the Hermit is evident in every pixel laid down by his Wacom Cintiq 16. \"I'm creating this game by myself, so it takes more time,\" he shares. \"However, I've made great progress since the last time we spoke. The game now has a demo version, the plot is finished, and the world is almost fully drawn.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"607\" src=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Evard-the-Hermit-Screenshot-5-Hut-1080x607.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-819531\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Evard-the-Hermit-Screenshot-5-Hut-980x551.jpg 980w, https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Evard-the-Hermit-Screenshot-5-Hut-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1080px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Join the Adventure\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For those eager to dive into Evard's world:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ljuros.com\/evard_the_hermit_through_fears\/#demo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">A free demo is available on Steam<\/a>, offering a taste of the full experience\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=f4qreyNBwxg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gameplay videos<\/a> showcase the atmospheric world and intriguing mechanics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Follow the development journey <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/your_fears_gamedev\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">on Instagram<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Help Roman test the battle movement and sword-fighting gameplay by joining <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/ljuros\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Ljuros<\/strong><\/a> for free and downloading the test file\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"607\" src=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Evard-the-Hermit-Screenshot-6-Phobias-1080x607.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-819532\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Evard-the-Hermit-Screenshot-6-Phobias-980x551.jpg 980w, https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Evard-the-Hermit-Screenshot-6-Phobias-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1080px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Evard the Hermit: Through Fears<\/em> is shaping up to be a mesmerizing journey through a world where personal demons manifest in the most literal sense. As development continues, the gaming community watches with bated breath, ready to confront their fears alongside Evard in this promising indie title.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Roman-Gritsuk-Headshot.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-819533\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Roman-Gritsuk-Headshot.jpg 500w, https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/03\/Roman-Gritsuk-Headshot-480x480.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 500px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Support the Creator\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Roman has cultivated a passionate Patreon community, offering supporters exclusive insights into the development process and even the chance to leave their mark on the game world. From personalized in-game signs to early access to alpha content, there are numerous ways for fans to contribute to this ambitious project.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Support Gritsuk on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/ljuros\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Patreon<\/a>, or follow along on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/your_fears_gamedev\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/ljuros.com\/evard_the_hermit_through_fears\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">his website<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the realm of indie game development, a hidden gem is emerging from the creative mind of Estonian artist Roman Gritsuk. Evard the Hermit: Through Fears is a captivating 2D Metroidvania that&#8217;s been quietly brewing for many years, promising a unique blend of medieval adventure and psychological exploration.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":819534,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2332,2345],"tags":[581,6027],"class_list":["post-819525","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cintiq-and-cintiq-pro","category-gaming","tag-evard-the-hermit","tag-roman-gritsuk"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/819525","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=819525"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/819525\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/819534"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=819525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=819525"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=819525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}