Game Direction #1:
Top-Down Game like Undertale and Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion where there are interactable characters & objects. Puzzles and challenges can be easily nested within certain locations.
Game Direction #2:
As the main character interacts with companions more, they unlock dialogue that reveals backstory of their potential companions. Each potential companion has affinity that can be leveled up through tasks of various difficulty. Once affinity is high enough, characters can invite their potential companion to join them in their quest.
Game Direction #3:
Enacting story style narrative where each part of the forest has a different mini-narrative and set of challenges.
