Hopetown, a nonlinear RPG from Longdue Games, offers a captivating, narrative-driven experience unlike any other. Founded by former employees of industry giants ZA/UM, Rockstar Games, and Bungie, the studio's debut project is shaping up to be a true spiritual successor to the critically acclaimed *Disco Elysium*. The game plunges players into the shoes of a journalist who awakens in a remote mining town, nursing a brutal hangover and grappling with a fragmented memory of the previous night. As the player navigates the town's escalating tensions, they must unravel the mystery of their arrival while simultaneously choosing to mediate or exacerbate the growing conflict.
Early screenshots showcase a dialogue-rich gameplay experience where player choices profoundly shape the narrative. Multiple character archetypes are available, each offering unique dialogue options and approaches to conversations. For instance, interacting with a seemingly simple character like an old woman feeding pigeons can yield vastly different outcomes depending on the player's chosen tone and approach.
Longdue Games is preparing to launch a Kickstarter campaign to fund Hopetown's development, with the campaign page already live. While a release date remains unannounced, anticipation is steadily growing among fans of narrative-focused RPGs. Hopetown isn't alone in its inspiration from *Disco Elysium*; Dark Math Games and Summer Eternal are also developing their own psychological RPGs, indicating a burgeoning interest in this unique genre.
