Hopetown, an innovative nonlinear RPG crafted by Longdue Games, presents a bold reimagining of narrative-driven gameplay. Spearheaded by former members of ZA/UM, Rockstar Games, and Bungie, the studio has unveiled initial glimpses into the game’s mechanics, positioning itself as a worthy successor to Disco Elysium. The storyline follows a journalist who awakens in a mining town following a night of heavy drinking, grappling with a severe hangover while piecing together events and mediating escalating local disputes—choosing between easing tensions or exacerbating conflicts.
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Screenshots highlight a dialogue-centric experience where player decisions profoundly influence the unfolding narrative. Various archetypes are available, each providing distinct dialogue options and conversational styles. For instance, engaging with an elderly woman feeding pigeons allows players to modulate their tone, affecting the interaction’s outcome.
Preparations are underway for a Kickstarter campaign to support the project, with a dedicated page already live on the platform. Although no official release date has been announced, excitement is mounting within the community of narrative-focused RPG enthusiasts.
Notably, Hopetown isn’t the sole game inspired by Disco Elysium; two additional studios, Dark Math Games and Summer Eternal, are developing their own psychological RPGs, further fueling interest in this genre.