Dice-driven RPGs inspired by tabletop games are among the types of video games we wish we had more of. Now, solo developer James Patton (Silicon Dreams) is taking on the attractive Citizen Sleeper formula with Duskpunk, a moody steampunk RPG.
“Dredgeport is spiralling out of control. Gangs rule the slums, corruption trumps the law, and corpses of the war-dead are burned daily for fuel. You are an ex-soldier, mistaken for dead and shipped back to Dredgeport for processing. After a narrow escape, you find yourself alone in the guts of the city, with only two things to your name: your life and your sanity. Keeping both will prove a challenge.”
Duskpunk is promising a narrative-oriented tabletop RPG-like experience for veterans and newcomers alike that’s inspired (confirmed by the dev and the official Steam page) by the two massive dice-based hits the Citizen Sleeper games by Jump Over The Age have been.
To get a taste of the atmosphere James Patton (Clockwork Bird) was aiming for, check out the launch trailer below:
Those who are new to tabletop-inspired RPG video games only need to know failure is possible, but it’s all about making the most of dice rolls and the choices you’re given. No combat (real-time or turn-based) here, only the actions and story that unfold in front of you as you click your way through different places and meet “murky” characters.
Games like Duskpunk are made to be replayable but also breezy, so it’s looking like a good pick if you’re coming out a long adventure elsewhere. The best part? You can play a bit for yourself before potentially buying it with the demo that’s currently available.
Duskpunk is now available on PC (Steam) for $14.99 (limited-time launch discount down from $19.99). No console versions have been announced at the time of writing.
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