A new narrative sci-fi adventure RPG called Sky of Tides will be released later this year, and players will explore a world called Numen, where a looming war threatens to upend the life of protagonist Rin. This is an atmospheric isometric perspective world that seems to draw on both classic isometric RPG tropes and the language of branching visual novels.
But to me, Sky of Tides looks like Disco Elysium’s crowning visual novel. This is most welcome. I’m curious to see if the gameplay formula pioneered by Disco Elysium brings something interesting when it’s wildly detached from the original setting.
You play as Lynn Drora, the daughter of the missing researcher who uncovered the conspiracy. She then embarks on an adventure to find her father and meets all sorts of strange people beyond the broken asteroid that was once the world Numen. This is her game and adventure more narrative than anything else, but Rin’s stats, story path, and the world around her are influenced by dialogue choices.
Most interesting to me are the RPG mechanics involved. This looks like something out of a skill-wielding RPG with dashes from Disco Elysium. Your intelligence, your humor, your courage, your compassion, and your luck, but watch what you say. People you meet along the way don’t be afraid to speak back,” says the developer.
Lofty Sky Entertainment previously produced hybrid action games and comics. Saga Shuyan (opens in new tab), 3D fighter scenes interspersed with comic panel storytelling. I hadn’t seen it when it was released in 2017, but it was pretty well received by those who played it.
Sky of Tides vapor (opens in new tab)will be released later this year.
