Rihanna Pratchett taucht in die Geschichte von Life Below, dem Unterwasser-Stadtbauer, ein.
Megapop, the studio behind the upcoming underwater city builder Life Below, has released a new behind-the-scenes video offering a closer look at the game’s narrative design ahead of its May 26th release.
The new dev video centres on award-winning writer, hobby diver, and aquarium aficionado Rhianna Pratchett (Tomb Raider, Mirror’s Edge, Heavenly Sword), who dives into how Life Below approaches environmental storytelling without heavy-handed messaging.
“When it comes to human made disasters, it’s very subtle,” says Pratchett. “The characters don’t talk about the ‘surface dwellers’, but they might talk about the strange debris floating above them and how it’s causing problems in the reef. You’re being put into the perspective of someone that’s having to deal with the consequences of it, rather than finger-wagging the naughty humans.”
Alongside its environmental themes, the video explores the game’s character-driven storytelling. Pratchett highlights the importance of relationships between Pontus, the begrudging mentor and the player’s character, Thalassa.
“I wanted Thalassa to have someone to talk to that was on the same level with her,” Pratchett explains. “Not like her boss, but a colleague, to have a growing relationship with in a way that she's not going to do with Gaia, her boss.”
Blending narrative depth with systemic gameplay, Life Below delivers a fresh and distinctive take on the city-building genre. Developed in collaboration with marine biologists, players are tasked with cultivating coral reefs, attracting diverse wildlife, and maintaining delicate ecosystems in an ever-changing ocean environment. However, hope is a theme that runs throughout the narrative.
“It’s about nurturing, for both the reef and the characters,” says Pratchett. “Even those who feel like their time has passed can still make a difference. There’s always a way forward, always something you can do to help or change your circumstances. That felt like a powerful message to explore.”
This latest installment is just one of a series of behind-the-scenes dev videos that have already covered subjects such as how the sounds and music of Life Below were made and how Life Below combines science with fun, all of which can be found on the Kasedo Games channel.
Life Below is coming to Steam on May 26, 2026.