End-Game Spoiler Warning - Final Boss Initial Concepts

I know I'm very late to this but I remember how in Madness Returns it's mentioned that he's an orientalist and that the Oriental Grove takes shape after Alice's interraction with him, but maybe similar mechanics and motifs from that world can be used? The inkstone fly enemies for example, they're a pain in the ass during boss fights. Maybe have him ooze gold blood from his mouth to reflect the corruption of his spirit? The blood/drool could be an acidic/lava type obstical for Alice to dodge. He could even slam his fists in frustration and knock coins around which could cause damage but these coins could help Alice go up to him and stab his weakspots directly

I love the pen fingers and mask that can be shattered mid-late battle

So, I want to apologize in advance, for this is my first post here as a new Patron (and new to Patreon as a whole, this is the first project I've backed up, so maybe some of the things I'll say may be misinformed, naive or silly. Firstly, having Radcliffe as a final fight seems like a logical conclusion, consdering this character's story with Alice and her family as a whole. While I liked his golden grin version, I do feel going for the "darkness behind a golden mask" design, *especially* with the pen fingers, is a much more inspired an unique take on the inner monster of the lawyer. I do wonder tho, knowing that is supposed to be Radcliffe's own perception of himself, if there is a chance for any reference to the Asian influenced level from Madness Returns. We know the man has an interest (wether it's respectful or not is, well, debatable) for that side of the world, so would that impact his perception of his self? Would it be present on his final fight, or would it be more fitting for a level before the final fight? Has it been talked about before, in another post? Hell, would it even make sense, or is it just better to not thread already walked upon ground, even if it could be changed? Secondly, and this is more related to the patreon post itself rather, but it mentions a .zip file with higher def images. I can't seem to see it? Is it a tier-related thing, only those that plegde more than one dollar can have access to it? Is it time limited? Sorry for the stupid question, again, I am new to this whole patreon thing. Finally, I'm just really excited for what the future holds. Play both the original and Madness Returns and loved them both, so I'm glad to be an (admittedly small) passanger along the journey.

Thanks Mike for pointing that out I really appreciate it

Radcliffe was a character in the other 2 games. In Madness Returns, you'd remember him as the guy that stole her bunny. He was not a good guy, like Bumby, to say the least. I think he was the families lawyer.

Mike Webster

I thought Shadow Alice was the final boss who is this Radcliffe and what's his role in the game or is it too early to tell what his role is right now because it's a spoiler?

Hi everyone, I wanted to drop in here after jumping off a call with American this morning, and we both want to thank you for your feedback, engagement and care with the Works in Progress that we share here. In relation to where we are sitting from a narrative and design standpoint, there are a few different goals and visual targets we need to hit in order to satisfy the requirements for a solid "Radcliffe" character and manifestation design in Asylum. The key differences are that Radcliffe, (and Bumby) both have multiple, different representations visually, depending on who is "visualising" or "remembering" them at that point in the story. There are areas of the game where portrayals of Radcliffe are literal, (in the real-world, London, this is already established). The second appearance is an abstract representation, of how he appears in the high-horror scenes and twisted "Memories of the Shadow" (Dark Nightmare Versions). And also the final twist in Radcliffe's appearance and design is of how Radcliffe appears in his own mind in the Otherlands Finale section, when Alice deals with him once and for all. In applying this line of thought to foreshadowing, payoffs and reveals in the story, and working with his appearance to enhance a potential gameplay experience in the End-Game sections... we have a few overlapping and unique areas to consider in his design. At this stage, I would say the team are happy where the initial direction is heading. Our next step is to engage other art team members, who will handle the next refined pass we see for Radcliffe. As we push forward, seeing these WIPs and the initial direction and ideation is always interesting to see and share. Thanks for your feedback we'll keep you all posted as more becomes available to share for Radcliffe's designs.

Alex Crowley

Here's what I wrote about how I thought Radcliffe should look in an earlier post: "In one of Alice's visions, Radcliffe is described as his "hands are soaked in blood, as he greedily pockets large wads of filthy, greasy and oily money with a multitude of gangly limbs." Ok, I'm thinking his inner monster is a big, fat(ter) version of himself. He is filthy, greasy, and oily, just like the money, and he's got a lot of limbs growing out of his fat, and their hands are all bloody. Adding to it, he's also got mouths full of dirty teeth sprouting from various places all over his body, gaping and snapping. His arms feed them with anything they can grab, which include fragments of Radcliffe's mind and his memories. Radcliffe's Vice is Greed, while Alice's was Wrath and Bumby's was Pride (or maybe Lust?). Having his Shadow devour his mind, showing his unbalance, would be a good way of showing that, I think." I think I might like the version you guys made a bit more, especially the part where he's a string-puller rather that someone who faces his problems directly like Alice.

Greyson Kehm

Greyson, I love that idea! Alice fighting him is really just revealing to him the truth of what he really is and of what she really is! Aghh we nerd to get Alex and American in the comments! This is good stuff!

Cool idea! And little by little, his true self is exposed, both to himself and to Alice, while she becomes less the Shadow and more her whole self. Then again, she's the one who can enter a person's mind and turn their subconscious into an Otherland. Her views of that person would definitely factor into how their Otherland and their mental self would be portrayed.

Greyson Kehm

Right. When the concept of Otherlands was introduced I was always under the impression that Alice herself would be the foreign enemy in the minds of others. SO tbh I think it makes alot more sense to make it that he doesn't view himself as thos monster. He sees Alice as the monster and so she takes that form maybe. WE play the shadow at that moment. Then we essentially Duke it out!

You have a good point. Alice might be a boss fight to Radcliffe. All of this is something to take into consideration. We're in his world, not Alice's.

Wendy Jaa

So now I'm like maybe we should take a step back and maybe rework the end boss fight a bit? Make it more like your in his wonderland and his ideal self is more on Alices level rather than making him a giant boss to fight it is an equally matched playing field. But Alice has had more experience.

I was wondering that as well...perhaps he seed her as the shadow self rather than Alice seeing herself in the blue dress? Imagine if instead of him being a giant boss him and Alice are the same size and they each have a weapon of choice to battle things out arena style like in an Roman coliseum! Oooh I actually like that idea alot. And tbh it would make more sense if he projected and ideal self vs what Alice perceives. He's and evil bastard but it's HIS wonderland.

Comments: I love the pen fingers, very cool! That image of how Radcliffe sees himself is honestly beautiful. I love the idea of Radcliffe not attacking directly. Him drawing or writing enemies with his fingers would be a super cool nod to the ink wasps in the Mysterious East, and that world was inspired by the decor in his office. I love the overall level design and the neat details, and can't wait to play this part. QUESTIONS: How would it look if Alice sees Radcliffe differently than he sees himself, like how would that be animated? Would Alice appear differently as well, since she's in the mind of another person? Why would Radcliffe be a boss in his own world when Alice is not a boss in hers? Is that related to him being more "psychologically stable?"

Wendy Jaa

I love the finger/pen tip idea and the inky words\visual representation he writes attacking Alice. I also think something cool would be grandiose things, vases, paintings, sculptures, etc looking grand and pristine at first but then (later or if Radcliffe activates them) we see them ruined and attacking or aiding Radcliffe somehow.

Karma Chameleon

Love the pen fingers and the gold teeth and the gold mask!

Sarah McKeegan