ppowersteef 🌳
@ppowersteef.bsky.social
Dutch, Christian, enthusiast artist and gamedev
https://ppowersteef.carrd.co/
Check out my game #HertenHeld !
https://ppowersteef.carrd.co/
Check out my game #HertenHeld !
Pinned
HertenHeld 2.0: Overgrowth is now released!
Featuring several visual enhancements, Settings and FullScreen support, many gameplay tweaks a new extra gamemode!
You can download the game here:
ppowersteef.itch.io/hertenheld
#Gamedev #indiedev #ScreenShotSaturday #HertenHeld
Featuring several visual enhancements, Settings and FullScreen support, many gameplay tweaks a new extra gamemode!
You can download the game here:
ppowersteef.itch.io/hertenheld
#Gamedev #indiedev #ScreenShotSaturday #HertenHeld
For the game's ending, I remember making the cutscene to sync well with the music. And it took multiple repetitions, for one such a cutscene, it took at least a whole day to make it work.
The story as whole is not complicated, I preferred to focus on gameplay
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
The story as whole is not complicated, I preferred to focus on gameplay
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
December 19, 2025 at 10:15 PM
For the game's ending, I remember making the cutscene to sync well with the music. And it took multiple repetitions, for one such a cutscene, it took at least a whole day to make it work.
The story as whole is not complicated, I preferred to focus on gameplay
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
The story as whole is not complicated, I preferred to focus on gameplay
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
I've noticed that most of my bosses are pretty difficult when they're in the hands of other players.
I design them so they're fun for my experience. But while I already know everything when creating, other people will not know that
This is why testers are important
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
I design them so they're fun for my experience. But while I already know everything when creating, other people will not know that
This is why testers are important
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
December 18, 2025 at 7:56 PM
I've noticed that most of my bosses are pretty difficult when they're in the hands of other players.
I design them so they're fun for my experience. But while I already know everything when creating, other people will not know that
This is why testers are important
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
I design them so they're fun for my experience. But while I already know everything when creating, other people will not know that
This is why testers are important
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
I love this attack from the wolf boss.
I remember been inspired by Dracula's fire pillars in Smash Ultimate. And it was a cool attack to implement.
The way the wolf charges through the pillars before they expire is an added bonus.
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
I remember been inspired by Dracula's fire pillars in Smash Ultimate. And it was a cool attack to implement.
The way the wolf charges through the pillars before they expire is an added bonus.
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
December 17, 2025 at 6:28 PM
I love this attack from the wolf boss.
I remember been inspired by Dracula's fire pillars in Smash Ultimate. And it was a cool attack to implement.
The way the wolf charges through the pillars before they expire is an added bonus.
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
I remember been inspired by Dracula's fire pillars in Smash Ultimate. And it was a cool attack to implement.
The way the wolf charges through the pillars before they expire is an added bonus.
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
Reposted by ppowersteef 🌳
Oh what's that ring of glowing mushrooms? Why, it must be @runicpixels.nl's birthday today!
December 16, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Oh what's that ring of glowing mushrooms? Why, it must be @runicpixels.nl's birthday today!
Reposted by ppowersteef 🌳
For the boss of the game, I wanted to go back to the "wolves as skilled combat enemies" idea again. I went with the idea that their attacks adapts depending on how you attack them
It has no weak points, but instead it soft-counters close or at range depending on you
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
It has no weak points, but instead it soft-counters close or at range depending on you
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
December 16, 2025 at 6:39 PM
For the boss of the game, I wanted to go back to the "wolves as skilled combat enemies" idea again. I went with the idea that their attacks adapts depending on how you attack them
It has no weak points, but instead it soft-counters close or at range depending on you
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
It has no weak points, but instead it soft-counters close or at range depending on you
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
Reposted by ppowersteef 🌳
There's always room for your art! I didn't even believe in my own art until recently! You got this!!
Going into 2026, a reminder for everyone who's fallen off the creative wagon, game dev, writing, art, music, whatever, no matter how long:
December 16, 2025 at 8:11 AM
There's always room for your art! I didn't even believe in my own art until recently! You got this!!
I remember now a fun fact about birds.
They only appear in areas without enemies.
You can't harm them, but they'll fly away when disturbed. (whether that's by moving, or by shooting an arrow)
If you stand still, they may also approach you.
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
They only appear in areas without enemies.
You can't harm them, but they'll fly away when disturbed. (whether that's by moving, or by shooting an arrow)
If you stand still, they may also approach you.
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
December 15, 2025 at 6:02 PM
I remember now a fun fact about birds.
They only appear in areas without enemies.
You can't harm them, but they'll fly away when disturbed. (whether that's by moving, or by shooting an arrow)
If you stand still, they may also approach you.
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
They only appear in areas without enemies.
You can't harm them, but they'll fly away when disturbed. (whether that's by moving, or by shooting an arrow)
If you stand still, they may also approach you.
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
December 14, 2025 at 4:43 PM
One more of the funny interactions.
Introduce a old dangerous enemy you encountered a while before, showing how much you've improved.
Then introduce a stronger version of that enemy close afterwards.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev #screenshotsaturday
Introduce a old dangerous enemy you encountered a while before, showing how much you've improved.
Then introduce a stronger version of that enemy close afterwards.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev #screenshotsaturday
December 13, 2025 at 11:38 AM
One more of the funny interactions.
Introduce a old dangerous enemy you encountered a while before, showing how much you've improved.
Then introduce a stronger version of that enemy close afterwards.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev #screenshotsaturday
Introduce a old dangerous enemy you encountered a while before, showing how much you've improved.
Then introduce a stronger version of that enemy close afterwards.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev #screenshotsaturday
I like it when earlier and frequently visited areas become more difficult as you progress through the game. Like stronger enemies may appear, or obstacles may change. It makes for a good narrative too.
Inspired from Castlevania: Circle of the Moon and Metroid Fusion.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
Inspired from Castlevania: Circle of the Moon and Metroid Fusion.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
December 12, 2025 at 7:49 PM
I like it when earlier and frequently visited areas become more difficult as you progress through the game. Like stronger enemies may appear, or obstacles may change. It makes for a good narrative too.
Inspired from Castlevania: Circle of the Moon and Metroid Fusion.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
Inspired from Castlevania: Circle of the Moon and Metroid Fusion.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
Fire Arrow is a pretty simplistic charge ability, but I like that it has that element of multiple use cases.
It's only directly shown to light up torches, but you can also burn down a column of vines with it. Discovering that on your own is the way forward.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
It's only directly shown to light up torches, but you can also burn down a column of vines with it. Discovering that on your own is the way forward.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
December 11, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Fire Arrow is a pretty simplistic charge ability, but I like that it has that element of multiple use cases.
It's only directly shown to light up torches, but you can also burn down a column of vines with it. Discovering that on your own is the way forward.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
It's only directly shown to light up torches, but you can also burn down a column of vines with it. Discovering that on your own is the way forward.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
The statue here originally did not have a background character.
It was inspired from a certain statue in Golden Sun. Though, when one of the testers made a funny remark about her, she became a character of her own.
...And ended up becoming broken in Fallen Star
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
It was inspired from a certain statue in Golden Sun. Though, when one of the testers made a funny remark about her, she became a character of her own.
...And ended up becoming broken in Fallen Star
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
December 9, 2025 at 8:27 PM
The statue here originally did not have a background character.
It was inspired from a certain statue in Golden Sun. Though, when one of the testers made a funny remark about her, she became a character of her own.
...And ended up becoming broken in Fallen Star
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
It was inspired from a certain statue in Golden Sun. Though, when one of the testers made a funny remark about her, she became a character of her own.
...And ended up becoming broken in Fallen Star
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
I remember when this miniboss was once a character I made before their backstory was figured out. She could be either a descendant or ascendant of another character.
This game basically made the stepping stone of her role, and what later became Fallen Star
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
This game basically made the stepping stone of her role, and what later became Fallen Star
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
December 8, 2025 at 7:20 PM
I remember when this miniboss was once a character I made before their backstory was figured out. She could be either a descendant or ascendant of another character.
This game basically made the stepping stone of her role, and what later became Fallen Star
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
This game basically made the stepping stone of her role, and what later became Fallen Star
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
At some point, you come accross an old, unhabited ruin.
This was something to change the game's pacing
Through the stained glass, you can see connections with another game I made.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #Indiedev
This was something to change the game's pacing
Through the stained glass, you can see connections with another game I made.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #Indiedev
December 6, 2025 at 10:25 PM
At some point, you come accross an old, unhabited ruin.
This was something to change the game's pacing
Through the stained glass, you can see connections with another game I made.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #Indiedev
This was something to change the game's pacing
Through the stained glass, you can see connections with another game I made.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #Indiedev
At some point, you'll end back close to where you started, but now with a new upgrade to try out anywhere.
From this point, there's no clear direction given where to go next, and it's up to you to find it out.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
From this point, there's no clear direction given where to go next, and it's up to you to find it out.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
December 5, 2025 at 9:02 PM
At some point, you'll end back close to where you started, but now with a new upgrade to try out anywhere.
From this point, there's no clear direction given where to go next, and it's up to you to find it out.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
From this point, there's no clear direction given where to go next, and it's up to you to find it out.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
What makes for a good and funny trap is if it's introduced as something safe first.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
December 3, 2025 at 9:47 PM
What makes for a good and funny trap is if it's introduced as something safe first.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
HertenHeld features some hidden tricks to deal with certain tough enemies, one of them been that the wolves can be one-shotted by a bow while stunned with a knife
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
December 2, 2025 at 9:05 PM
HertenHeld features some hidden tricks to deal with certain tough enemies, one of them been that the wolves can be one-shotted by a bow while stunned with a knife
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
The Seed Bomb is probably my favorite item in the game.
It can be used as an overhead throw, to cover enemies above and below, it can be placed down to be used as a trap, and it can be triggered faster when using an arrow. It's a great expansion to her arsenal.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
It can be used as an overhead throw, to cover enemies above and below, it can be placed down to be used as a trap, and it can be triggered faster when using an arrow. It's a great expansion to her arsenal.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
December 1, 2025 at 5:24 PM
The Seed Bomb is probably my favorite item in the game.
It can be used as an overhead throw, to cover enemies above and below, it can be placed down to be used as a trap, and it can be triggered faster when using an arrow. It's a great expansion to her arsenal.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
It can be used as an overhead throw, to cover enemies above and below, it can be placed down to be used as a trap, and it can be triggered faster when using an arrow. It's a great expansion to her arsenal.
#HertenHeld #Gamedev #indiedev
Sometimes I like to make rooms where a specific enemy design can have it's spotlight for a moment.
This room filled with ninja owls is one of them.
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
This room filled with ninja owls is one of them.
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
November 30, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Sometimes I like to make rooms where a specific enemy design can have it's spotlight for a moment.
This room filled with ninja owls is one of them.
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
This room filled with ninja owls is one of them.
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
Reposted by ppowersteef 🌳
And to be proud of effort, not just success, because effort is something you have influence over. Success is but a consequence of a lot of effort and a lot of luck.
November 30, 2025 at 12:06 AM
And to be proud of effort, not just success, because effort is something you have influence over. Success is but a consequence of a lot of effort and a lot of luck.
Reposted by ppowersteef 🌳
Sometimes it's good to remember what makes you you in the first place. And be a bit proud of that.
November 29, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Sometimes it's good to remember what makes you you in the first place. And be a bit proud of that.
One more aspect that I like: This little bridge.
At this state you just cross the bridge, but there are elements up and down that you cannot reach, later on you reach a dead end, but the idea of the bridge implies that there's something up and down there.
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
At this state you just cross the bridge, but there are elements up and down that you cannot reach, later on you reach a dead end, but the idea of the bridge implies that there's something up and down there.
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
November 27, 2025 at 6:35 PM
One more aspect that I like: This little bridge.
At this state you just cross the bridge, but there are elements up and down that you cannot reach, later on you reach a dead end, but the idea of the bridge implies that there's something up and down there.
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
At this state you just cross the bridge, but there are elements up and down that you cannot reach, later on you reach a dead end, but the idea of the bridge implies that there's something up and down there.
#HertenHeld #gamedev #indiedev
There were ideas of having an NPC to tell you where you need to go, but I left it out as I feel that lose sense of exploration and self-discovery
If signs told you to go down platforms, then there was no curiousity, but without, players could get lost too. It's a tough balance
#HertenHeld #gamedev
If signs told you to go down platforms, then there was no curiousity, but without, players could get lost too. It's a tough balance
#HertenHeld #gamedev
November 20, 2025 at 7:03 PM
There were ideas of having an NPC to tell you where you need to go, but I left it out as I feel that lose sense of exploration and self-discovery
If signs told you to go down platforms, then there was no curiousity, but without, players could get lost too. It's a tough balance
#HertenHeld #gamedev
If signs told you to go down platforms, then there was no curiousity, but without, players could get lost too. It's a tough balance
#HertenHeld #gamedev