First Look at Hopetown: The Spiritual Successor to Disco Elysium

Hopetown, a nonlinear RPG from Longdue Games, offers a unique narrative-driven experience. Founded by former employees of ZA/UM, Rockstar Games, and Bungie, the studio has unveiled its first gameplay glimpse, hinting at a spiritual successor to the acclaimed Disco Elysium. The game plunges players into the shoes of a journalist waking up with a brutal hangover in a remote mining town. Amidst the lingering effects of a heavy night, players must unravel the mystery of their situation and navigate escalating local tensions, facing the crucial decision of whether to mediate or exacerbate the conflict.

Early screenshots showcase a dialogue-rich gameplay experience where player choices profoundly shape the narrative. Multiple character archetypes are available, each boasting unique dialogue options and conversational approaches. For instance, interacting with an elderly woman feeding pigeons allows players to select different conversational tones, leading to varied outcomes.

Longdue Games is gearing up for a Kickstarter campaign to fund Hopetown's development, with a dedicated page already live on the platform. While a release date remains unannounced, anticipation is steadily growing amongst fans of narrative-focused RPGs.

Interestingly, Hopetown isn't the only game drawing inspiration from Disco Elysium. Dark Math Games and Summer Eternal are also developing their own psychological RPGs, further highlighting the enduring influence of ZA/UM's masterpiece.