Indie RPG Entropy is deliberately evoking the design sensibilities of older console generations, a choice lead developer James Wragg attributes in part to a modern "open world fatigue." Lovely Hellplace, the studio behind Entropy and the similarly retro-styled Dread Delusion, is drawing inspiration from the focused experiences of PS1, PS2, and GameCube titles.
Wragg believes that many contemporary AAA open-world games, while system-heavy, can become repetitive, often requiring players to perform the same actions dozens or hundreds of times. In contrast, he cites games like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, which can be completed in around 10 hours, as examples of "condensed, concise, intentional experiences" that do not overstay their welcome. This design philosophy extends to RPGs as well, with Wragg pointing to the original Fallout as a meticulously crafted experience that, despite a potentially shorter runtime than modern equivalents, offers replayability through its well-sculpted mechanics and varied approaches.
Entropy aims to blend the simpler combat systems of Japanese role-playing games with a more tactical approach reminiscent of titles like XCOM or the original Fallout. This approach contrasts with the sprawling, system-heavy nature of many current open-world games.
While Dread Delusion, Lovely Hellplace's previous game, was open-world, it featured a dense map and a runtime of approximately 15-20 hours. The developers are striving to create a sense of scale in Entropy without compromising the game's pacing. Players interested in Entropy can try a free demo or purchase the early access version for $12 on Steam.