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A journalism-based RPG from Longue studio, founded partially by former employees of ZA/UM who worked on Disco Elysium. In Hopetown we play as a journalist whose decisions can shape the reality around him and also influence his own personality. We advance in the game primarily by having conversations along with specific emotions or memories.
Hopetown Description
Hopetown is a game described by its creators as a "psychogeographic" or journalistic RPG. The game was developed by Longdue - an independent studio founded by former employees of ZA/UM (co-authors of the best-selling Disco Elysium) and also by developers who have worked at places like Rockstar Games, Bungie, or Brave at Night.
Story
Hopetown draws from Disco Elysium (from which it borrows "emotional depth and psychological complexity") and Planescape: Torment (inspired by its "philosophical richness and narrative complexity"). The game takes us to the titular mining town, where decay clashes with transformation, and ambition with exploitation.
During the game, we take on the role of a dishonest journalist exhibiting self-destructive traits and enjoying watching the world around him burn. It depends on us how his fate will unfold in this place, what decisions he will make and what stories he will decide to tell as part of his profession. With these last ones, it's worth bearing in mind that they can greatly influence the surrounding reality.
Gameplay
The gameplay in Hopetown takes place on two levels, so to speak. While the world on the surface serves as a facade meant to represent progress, but in reality is dominated by the struggle for power and corruption, the mines reflect the hidden (true?) image of reality, overrun by decay. Both planes show not only the social conflict that has become the arena of Hopetown, but also the internal struggle waged by the main character.
Exploring the town, we have conversations with the residents and gradually learn more about it.
Psychogeography and journalistic RPG
The system developed by the creators for this project in some sense replaces mechanics known from most adventure games. Instead of looking for keys and objects, we solve puzzles, and we push the story forward through conversations and specific emotions or memories. In this way, we also influence the appearance of the entire depicted world.
Another term created by developers during work on this game was "journalism-based RPG". Describing the reality around us, we can focus on attracting attention and spinning crazy stories full of conspiracy theories, or on the contrary - decide to reveal the whole, sometimes brutal truth.
We should not forget that every choice carries certain consequences, and the stories we tell can both evoke self-satisfaction and lead to rebellion. Moreover, the decisions we make affect the protagonist, shaping his personality.
Hopetown Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows
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Disco Elysium Legacy Continues with New Psychogeographical RPG. Co-Creators of One of Most Ambitious Games of Recent Years Are Working on It
A group of Disco Elysium veterans have founded the Longdue studio and are working on an ambitious new RPG.
video games
Adrian Werner
October 11, 2024