Exploring the Depths of Entropy
In the realm of early access role-playing games, Entropy emerges as a captivating experience, showcasing experimental, JRPG-style combat set against a backdrop of a bizarre, fallen world. This title marks the second endeavor from the developers behind the critically acclaimed Dread Delusion, a game that has left a lasting impression on RPG enthusiasts.
Dread Delusion was celebrated for its first-person homage to the Elder Scrolls series, featuring a plethora of engaging side quests that challenged players with ethical dilemmas and intricate narratives. One standout quest involved vegetarian zombies, while another drew inspiration from the cinematic world of Blade Runner 2049, exploring themes of memory and identity. With Entropy shifting genres, anticipation builds around whether developer Lovely Hellplace will maintain the same level of compelling side content.
Developer Wragg expressed admiration for Harry Tuffs, the writer responsible for bringing the zombified Kingdom of the Endless to life. Wragg noted, “I knew the Endless were going to be like, vegetarian vampires, and I gave this to Harry, and he made it way better than my original dumb ideas.” The team also welcomes back Io Brindle, who played a pivotal role in crafting the investigative quest, Missing Persons, in Dread Delusion.
As the development of Entropy progressed, Wragg initially envisioned a more concise narrative. “I started off Entropy with the idea that we were going to write way fewer words,” he shared. “Dread Delusion is like the length of a novel. This is crazy. This took so much work. So for Entropy, I really wanted to cut the word count down loads. We were going to trim the fat and make it more succinct.” However, as the writing unfolded, the team found themselves drawn to the richness of character development and thematic exploration, which naturally expanded the word count.
Despite the challenges, Wragg’s enthusiasm for Entropy remains palpable. He believes that the side content will resonate with players just as strongly as it did in Dread Delusion. The game introduces a diverse party system, allowing players to hire both anonymous mercenaries and story-centric companions, each with their own unique plotlines. Notably, all characters, regardless of their origin, are subject to permadeath, a feature that adds a layer of tension reminiscent of the recently released Star Wars Zero Company.
“We love making weird and wonderful stories, and we love deep characters who we can get into chats with and find out all their beliefs and backstories,” Wragg explained. “I think that one of the most interesting things about video games is just how you can actually talk to the characters in a way that maybe you can’t in a novel or a film. Just being able to meet a strange character and ask them some stupid questions is incredibly rewarding as a player.”
Entropy is currently available on Steam in early access for a modest price of /£8.99, accompanied by a generous demo that has already captivated many players. Given the trajectory of Dread Delusion, it is anticipated that the final version of Entropy will expand significantly beyond its initial offering, providing players with an enriching introduction to this intriguing new world.
