Summary
- Release Year: 2012
- Genres: Adventure, Indie, Platform, Role-playing game (RPG)
- Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: ScottGames
- Publishers: ScottGames
The Desolate Hope: A Unique and Challenging Retro-Futuristic Adventure
Released in 2012, The Desolate Hope is a unique and challenging game that combines platforming, dungeon crawling, and JRPG elements. It’s set in a retro-futuristic world where humanity has been forced to abandon Earth and live on a space station. The player takes control of a young woman named Ela, who must travel through the station and its many simulations to find a way to save her people.
The game’s visuals are a mix of 8-bit and 16-bit styles, and the soundtrack is a blend of electronic and orchestral music. The overall effect is a sense of nostalgia and melancholy, which perfectly complements the game’s story.
The gameplay in The Desolate Hope is varied and engaging. On the station and in the simulations, the game is a platformer. Ela can run, jump, and shoot enemies, and she can also collect powerups and bits (money) to upgrade her abilities. When she enters a mini-simulation, the game becomes an 8-bit overhead dungeon crawler. Here, Ela can farm money and gain options to customize her battle experiences.
When Ela encounters a virus boss, the game shifts to a JRPG style battle. Ela and her party members can use a variety of attacks and abilities to defeat their opponents. The battles are challenging, but they’re also fair, and they offer a great sense of satisfaction when you finally defeat a boss.
Outside of battle, Ela can spend her bits to upgrade her abilities and equipment. She can also purchase new weapons and armor, and she can even learn new abilities. This customization allows players to tailor the game to their own playstyle.
The story in The Desolate Hope is well-written and engaging. Ela is a relatable and sympathetic protagonist, and the supporting cast of characters is equally well-developed. The game’s themes of hope, loss, and redemption are explored in a thoughtful and nuanced way.
Overall, The Desolate Hope is a unique and challenging game that offers a lot of replay value. It’s a must-play for fans of retro gaming and anyone looking for a new and innovative experience.
Gameplay
The gameplay in The Desolate Hope is varied and engaging. The game is divided into three main sections: the station, the simulations, and the boss battles.
The Station
The station is a large and complex area that serves as the game’s hub world. Ela can explore the station, talk to NPCs, and purchase items from shops. She can also access the simulations from the station.
The Simulations
The simulations are procedurally generated dungeons that Ela can explore to farm money and gain options to customize her battle experiences. The simulations are challenging, but they’re also fair, and they offer a great sense of satisfaction when Ela finally completes one.
The Boss Battles
The boss battles are the highlight of The Desolate Hope. Ela and her party members must use a variety of attacks and abilities to defeat their opponents. The battles are challenging, but they’re also fair, and they offer a great sense of satisfaction when Ela finally defeats a boss.
Characters
The characters in The Desolate Hope are well-written and engaging. Ela is a relatable and sympathetic protagonist, and the supporting cast of characters is equally well-developed.
Ela
Ela is a young woman who has been chosen to save her people. She is strong, brave, and determined, but she is also compassionate and caring. Ela is a relatable and sympathetic protagonist, and players will root for her throughout her journey.
The Supporting Cast
The supporting cast of characters in The Desolate Hope is equally well-developed. Each character has their own unique personality and motivations, and they all play an important role in the story.
Themes
The Desolate Hope explores a number of themes, including hope, loss, and redemption. The game’s setting is a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has been forced to abandon Earth and live on a space station. This setting creates a sense of hopelessness and despair, but the game also shows that there is always hope, even in the darkest of times.
The game also explores the theme of loss. Ela has lost her home, her family, and her friends. She must learn to cope with her loss and find a way to move on. The game shows that loss is a part of life, but it also shows that it is possible to overcome loss and find happiness again.
Finally, the game explores the theme of redemption. Ela has made mistakes in the past, but she is given a chance to redeem herself. The game shows that it is never too late to change and that everyone deserves a second chance.
Conclusion
The Desolate Hope is a unique and challenging game that offers a lot of replay value. It’s a must-play for fans of retro gaming and anyone looking for a new and innovative experience. The game’s visuals, soundtrack, gameplay, characters, and themes are all top-notch, and it’s sure to leave a lasting impression on players.
Review Score
8/10
Art
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