Miasma Chronicles, developed by The Bearded Ladies and published by 505 Games, is a new tactical RPG set in a post-apocalyptic United States devastated by a deadly phenomenon called miasma. With its innovative combination of turn-based tactics and stealth mechanics, the game provides an immersive and challenging gameplay experience that has received mostly positive reviews on Steam.
In a recent interview with Lee Varley, the game director of Miasma Chronicles, Game ZXC had the opportunity to delve into the game's development, characters, and story. In the story, a woman entrusts her son, Elvis, to a robot named Diggs. Elvis possesses a special glove left by his mother that can control the miasma. As players take control of Elvis, their objective is to locate his mother and unravel the mysteries surrounding the miasma. Meanwhile, The First Family, who controls what remains of America, governs small franchise towns responsible for providing resources to their rule. Throughout the game, players gradually uncover the identity and motivations of the First Family, unraveling the secrets of this post-apocalyptic world. Varley discussed various aspects of the game’s narrative and character development, explaining how the elements of the story impacted the overall gameplay and development.
Varley revealed that the inspiration behind Miasma Chronicles came from envisioning a post-apocalyptic world that could arise from current environmental issues if left unresolved. The game explores a future where environmental concerns are ignored, and the responsibility of solving them falls on a few self-centered billionaires. This unique perspective sets MiasmaChronicles apart from other post-apocalyptic games, as it serves as a cautionary tale that draws attention to the consequences of neglecting the real Earth.
Balancing a light-hearted adventure story with the dark and gritty world it inhabits was a challenge for the developers. Varley explained that the characters maintain a serious demeanor in the face of dangerous situations, while still displaying lighter interactions with each other. This juxtaposition creates a sense of adventure while effectively conveying the constant danger that permeates the game's world.
“It's a very tight balance. The characters need to be serious in the situations they find themselves in but not necessary towards each other (a bit like real life). The whole game is tinted more on the light-hearted side, a feeling of a grand adventure was important for us, but you need that serious side to get across the sense of danger that fills this world.”
The characters in Miasma Chronicles play integral roles in the game's evolving story. The main story centers around Elvis and Diggs, who are on a mission to stop the First Family while discovering their true identities along the way. Elvis develops alongside his older brother Diggs, who possesses a more overconfident and impulsive nature. Through their journey, they encounter interesting characters who contribute to the narrative and enrich the overall storytelling experience.
“The story revolves around Elvis and Diggs, and their quest to stop the First Family, and discover who they are on the way. Elvis is young and inexperienced, Diggs is his older brother, a bit overconfident and impulsive. Together they will grow into heroes they need to be, and meet some interesting characters on the way.”
Companions joining the crew in Miasma Chronicles have their own motivations for joining Elvis and Diggs. Their collective efforts are crucial for accomplishing goals and progressing in the game. The involvement of these companions adds depth and dimension to the story, fostering meaningful relationships and character dynamics.
Sedentary, the hub town in Miasma Chronicles, offers a vibrant and diverse environment for players to explore. As a franchise town responsible for mining gold for the First Family, Sedentary is home to a colorful cast of characters, side quests, and shopping opportunities. Engaging with the unique inhabitants of Sedentary adds depth to the game's world and provides players with additional context and stories to discover. The exploration element in Miasma Chronicles plays a crucial role in both the story and gameplay mechanics. Players are encouraged to freely explore the game's environments, uncovering bits of lore and valuable loot, and engaging in conversations with various characters. Additionally, environmental storytelling enriches each location, allowing players to piece together the world's narrative by thoroughly exploring their surroundings.
“You can freely explore the environments. You find bits of lore, various loot, and characters to talk to. It's also really important to plan your ambush, so you need to position yourself in the best possible way before starting fights. We also have a high degree of environmental storytelling, each location has a story to tell which you can piece together by exploring.”
Miasma Chronicles is available now for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.