Ledgerbound, a new tactical RPG from OmniMegaSuperCorp, merges the turn-based combat of Fire Emblem with the romance systems found in Baldur's Gate 3, all wrapped in a satirical take on the insurance industry. The game casts players as Rayna, an insurance adjuster working for Heroes United Life Group. Her job involves investigating the deaths of heroes to determine if their beneficiaries are eligible for payouts, often by proving the heroes were unprepared for their demise.
Developed by OmniMegaSuperCorp, the studio co-founded by Game Director Russ Nickel and CEO Evan Nickel, both of whom previously worked on Helldivers 2, Ledgerbound satirizes the American insurance system through a fantasy kingdom lens. The narrative's satirical edge is apparent in Rayna's interactions, such as her conversations with an office hat rack and mandatory "Employee Training" classes run by the Head of Human Resources, Jazz. Completing bonus objectives in battles yields certificates from HR and boosts shareholder value, which in turn unlocks additional cutscenes.
Between combat encounters, players manage their downtime by gearing up their party, replaying battles to optimize performance, or engaging in conversations with office colleagues. The game playfully induces guilt for spending time on these seemingly frivolous activities, even as it makes them engaging.
The development team has leaned into the game's romantic elements, with dialogue rated "three out of five peppers." Steam's decision to delay Ledgerbound's launch allowed for a thorough review of its extensive script, reportedly comprising 350,000 words. The studio's announcement of the delay humorously noted that all necessary paperwork had been filed, pending Steam's final review.
Ledgerbound features a diverse cast of potential romantic partners and party members, including:
Jazz, an HR agent and dragon voiced by Stephanie Kerbis. Avarice, a cat prince voiced by Matt Mercer. Sylvie, a flamecaster voiced by Cherami Leigh. Hobknob, a rat-keeper voiced by Todd Haberkorn. Cazian, an enemy-faction recruit voiced by Ben Starr.
While most companions are available for polyamorous relationships, some are locked to monogamy, introducing a layer of potential frustration for players.
The game's premise of an insurance adjuster denying claims for deceased heroes sets a unique stage for a charming RPG. The characters' intense dedication to their jobs, or their complete nonchalance, positions the player as an objective observer of the game's narrative and tactical battles. However, this detachment may waver as players inevitably become invested in characters like Cazian or Jazz, balancing their "workday" agenda of denying claims, flirting, and saving the world with the need to maintain quarterly numbers.
Ledgerbound is available on Windows PC via Steam.
