Hopetown, a groundbreaking nonlinear RPG developed by Longdue Games, introduces a unique approach to narrative-driven gameplay. Founded by former employees of renowned studios such as ZA/UM, Rockstar Games, and Bungie, Longdue Games has unveiled its first glimpse into the game's mechanics, positioning Hopetown as a spiritual successor to the critically acclaimed Disco Elysium. The storyline revolves around a journalist who wakes up in a mining town after a night of excessive drinking. Players, battling a severe hangover, must unravel the events of the previous night and navigate an escalating local conflict, deciding whether to de-escalate the situation or intensify the tensions.
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Screenshots of the game showcase a dialogue-intensive experience where the player's choices profoundly influence the narrative. Players can select from various archetypes, each providing distinct dialogue options and interaction styles. For instance, when engaging with an elderly woman feeding pigeons, players can choose different tones that significantly alter the conversation's outcome.
Longdue Games is gearing up to launch a Kickstarter campaign to support the development of Hopetown, with the campaign page already live on the platform. Although a specific release date remains undisclosed, excitement is mounting among fans of narrative-focused RPGs.
Hopetown is not the only game drawing inspiration from Disco Elysium. Two other studios, Dark Math Games and Summer Eternal, are also developing their own psychological RPGs, adding to the growing genre's diversity and anticipation.
