The upcoming visual novel Truth Scrapper, developed by insertdisc5, has garnered attention with its recently released demo, which offers a taste of its narrative and mechanics. The game, from the creators of the time-loop RPG In Stars and Time, presents a mystery centered around Sosotte, a "truth scrapper" who loses her memories daily. Players must guide Sosotte through her investigations by making choices about what she remembers and forgets each day.
Sosotte's journey takes her to a place called The Dwell, where she is joined by two companions: Amour, described as a "buff softie," and Betz, a more serious, princely figure. Together, they are looking into a series of attacks on members of Sosotte's guild. The game skillfully avoids overwhelming players with exposition, instead allowing the world to be discovered through Sosotte's experiences, a narrative approach that developer insertdisc5 also employed successfully in In Stars and Time.
The demo allows players to experience Sosotte's choices as they influence her relationships with Amour and Betz. While Sosotte's outward persona in the demo is described as "a little too tumblr," her inner monologue is more engaging, suggesting potential for deeper character development as the story progresses.
Visually, Truth Scrapper stands out with its distinct art style. Primarily rendered in black and white, the game utilizes aged-looking photographs reminiscent of a scrapbook. Color is strategically employed to highlight key characters and items, hinting at its importance in the unfolding narrative. The character designs are noted for their expressiveness, particularly in their fluid and joyful approach to gender expression. This, along with the explicit queerness seen in insertdisc5's previous work, suggests Truth Scrapper will also feature significant LGBTQ+ representation.
While the demo may not have the immediate, gripping impact of In Stars and Time, the developer's track record in crafting compelling narratives, particularly those focused on internal struggles within contained settings, builds significant trust. Truth Scrapper, despite its mechanical and tonal differences from its predecessor, shares enough core strengths to make it a highly anticipated release for those who appreciated the storytelling of In Stars and Time.