A millennium after the collapse of the last galactic empire, the cosmos has become a battleground for mercenaries and treasure hunters vying for priceless relics hidden within the ruins scattered across the edges of space. This is the intriguing backdrop of Vaunted, an innovative tactical RPG marking the inaugural release from indie studio Lost Lake Games. In a strategic partnership with Hooded Horse, known for their expertise in strategy games, Lost Lake aims to bring this ambitious project to fruition. Players will navigate a narrative filled with “dysfunctional frenemies” and their often-questionable allies as they confront alien adversaries, colossal robots, and rival treasure seekers in pursuit of the ultimate prize.
Game Mechanics and Unique Storytelling
At the helm of Lost Lake Games is James Phinney, a seasoned industry veteran recognized for his contributions to iconic titles such as Starcraft, Guild Wars, and State of Decay. With a commitment to the deeply personal art of game development, Phinney’s leadership promises a captivating experience. Vaunted combines the frenetic action of a third-person shooter with the strategic depth of a high-stakes turn-based tactical RPG, all narrated through the unreliable perspectives of three distinct characters embroiled in a disastrous expedition.
Players will engage in turn-based planning from a high-angle viewpoint reminiscent of classics like XCOM or Shadow Tactics, yet the execution unfolds in real time. This dynamic allows for exhilarating maneuvers, such as dodging incoming fire by diving behind cover, executing precision shots to exploit enemy weaknesses, or launching foes into the air with grenades before delivering a mid-air counterattack. The game eschews traditional initiative-based turns, granting players the freedom to decide the order of actions, alternating with opponents for a more fluid combat experience.
Beyond the action-packed gameplay, Vaunted offers a rich narrative experience. Players will manage three central characters—Dyse, Gendril, and Kyvaath—developing their unique skills through intricate skill trees, customizable loadouts, and randomized upgrades. The storytelling is designed to unfold gradually, allowing players to discover each character’s backstory in a distinctive way.
Each hero presents their own interpretation of events, and player choices will shape which narrative becomes the “truth.” Should a character fall in battle, the story continues, offering the chance to rewrite the chapter from another character’s viewpoint, thereby unlocking new dialogues, loot, and secrets that may have been missed in previous playthroughs.
Tim Bender, CEO of Hooded Horse, expresses enthusiasm for the project, stating, “I’ve loved the games James Phinney has created in the past, and he and his amazing team have another masterpiece here. Vaunted brings true innovation to RPG and tactical games. I loved playing it even in an earlier form over a year ago when we first became publisher, and the game has been getting more amazing each day.”
While a release date has yet to be announced, the team assures fans that Vaunted is “coming soon.” Interested players can wishlist the game on Steam to stay updated on its development and receive notifications upon its release. As Phinney reflects, “As a game developer, there’s nothing better than seeing people enjoy your game,” emphasizing the team’s excitement about collaborating with Hooded Horse. “Striving to build something that really connects with players guides everything we do at Lost Lake, and we see that exact same passion in them.”
