Developer Dreadwoods is preparing to launch Dreadwoods Gatekeeper, a game that casts players as a solitary gatekeeper managing an outpost in a troubled region. Unlike many titles inspired by Papers, Please, which typically remain in 2D, Dreadwoods Gatekeeper adopts a first-person perspective.
Players will spend their days performing gatekeeper duties, which include verifying travel permits and inspecting incoming goods. A travel document with a forged stamp might require players to turn away visitors, even in adverse weather. Alternatively, players may face scenarios where they are offered bribes to overlook illicit items, such as undeclared weapons in a wagon.
The game also incorporates elements of resource management and law enforcement. Players might have to confiscate undeclared goods, such as chickens, and ensure the appropriate taxes are paid. Beyond visitor management, the gatekeeper role includes maintaining the gatehouse itself, which involves cleaning and repairs.
Nightfall in Dreadwoods Gatekeeper introduces a more ominous atmosphere. Fog rolls in, and unsettling messages, like "leave," are scrawled on walls, hinting at lurking dangers. While the exact nature of these nighttime events is not fully detailed, players can equip themselves with a spear, suggesting that confrontations with threats are likely.
Dreadwoods Gatekeeper does not yet have a confirmed release date but is available to wishlist on Steam.