Hopetown, a groundbreaking nonlinear RPG developed by Longdue Games, introduces a unique narrative-driven experience that captivates players with its innovative gameplay. Founded by former employees of renowned studios such as ZA/UM, Rockstar Games, and Bungie, Longdue Games has unveiled the first glimpse of the game's mechanics, positioning Hopetown as a spiritual successor to the acclaimed Disco Elysium. The storyline revolves around a journalist who wakes up in a mining town after a night of heavy drinking. As players navigate the game with a pounding hangover, they must unravel the mystery of the previous night and decide how to handle an escalating local conflict—whether to soothe tensions or stoke the flames.
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Screenshots of the game showcase a dialogue-rich environment where player choices profoundly influence the narrative. Players can select from various archetypes, each providing distinct dialogue options and approaches to interactions. For instance, when engaging with an elderly woman feeding pigeons, players can choose different tones, which can lead to varied outcomes in the conversation.
Longdue Games is gearing up to launch a Kickstarter campaign to support the development of Hopetown, with a dedicated page already live on the platform. Although no official release date has been announced, 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 interest in this genre.
