The upcoming indie game BloomTown: A Different Story is on its way to PC and consoles, and PC gamers can wishlist it on Steam now. The turn-based RPG looks like what would happen if someone combined Netflix’s Stranger Things with the charming retro-inspired graphics of Stardew Valley.
BloomTown: A Different Story is being developed by Different Sense Games and Lazy Bear Games and published by Twin Sails Interactive. While this is Different Sense’s first game, Lazy Bear and Twin Sales are more established. Lazy Bear’s catalog includes the Graveyard Keeper and Punch Club games. Meanwhile, Twin Sails is primarily a publisher of digital adaptations of board games, including titles like the tactical turn-based RPG Gloomhaven.
BloomTown doesn’t have a release date yet, though the game’s announcement trailer and Steam page are certainly enough to build intrigue. The player takes control of siblings Emily and Chester as they arrive to spend a summer on their grandpa’s farm. The titular town seems initially like a quaint and cozy community, but it’s clear that something isn’t right. Children soon start disappearing, and Emily, Chester, and their friends must venture into a parallel world called the Underside to save BloomTown from demonic entities.
Based on what developers have shared so far, the game’s backgrounds and sprites look great. Its colorful aesthetic and cartoony graphics also do a good job of capturing the cozy game look. This creates an excellent contrast with the sinister forces bubbling under the town’s surface. The setting and story also give BloomTown: A Different Story major Stranger Things vibes, though the cult classic 1994 JRPG EarthBound also seems like a likely inspiration.
Inspired by retro JRPGs, players and their party explore BloomTown in a 2D pixel art environment. Meanwhile, combat takes place in turn-based instances. Players can have up to four members in their party, with each character bringing unique strengths and abilities to the table. They can also summon demons of their own to create powerful combos. BloomTown additionally lets players capture weakened enemies to make them join their side.
Another interesting feature is that time advances continuously in BloomTown. Players must decide how to manage their time, juggling exploration, jobs, training, socializing, and gardening as they direct the siblings’ supernatural adventure. However, it’s not clear to what degree BloomTown players will be racing against the clock.
Of course, it’s too soon to say whether BloomTown: A Different Story lives up to its potential. Still, fans of Stranger Things and EarthBound may want to keep their eyes on this upcoming indie RPG.
BloomTown: A Different Story is in development.
Source: Steam