The real-world Horrors of war From A Teenager’s Eye
Fortunately, like many of us, I can only imagine the material and mental consequences of war, and often we have no real idea of what they entail. Imagine your country, your neighborhood occupied by an enemy military force—how many things would change? How many things that we fortunate ones take for granted could suddenly disappear? These are the realities that the Ukrainian indie developer Twigames Inc. has inevitably tried to capture in their deeply immersive isometric RPG adventure, Hollow Home.
Following recent announcements, Hollow Home joins the ranks of promising story-driven RPGs in development, placing players in the shoes of a teenager who watches his entire world change. He must adapt, survive, and make difficult choices that will shape and transform his character.
Among the latest RPG titles, Hollow Home is perhaps the one that has moved me the most and piqued my interest with its undoubtedly heart-wrenching storyline. Let’s take a closer look at some details.
What is Hollow Home?
Hollow Home is a poignant isometric narrative RPG set during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, immersing players in the harrowing experience of war through the eyes of a 14-year-old boy named Maksym. As the bombs begin to fall and his city is torn apart, Maksym must navigate the chaos of his once-peaceful home, now transformed into a battlefield.
The game emphasizes survival, relationships, and the difficult choices that arise in times of conflict. Players will explore a city under siege, meeting a variety of characters whose fates are directly impacted by their decisions. With no traditional combat mechanics, the focus remains on the emotional and psychological toll of war, rather than graphic depictions of violence.
The gameplay of Hollow Home is rich with branching narratives, crafting, cooking, and scavenging elements, ensuring a highly replayable experience where each decision has far-reaching consequences. As the city deteriorates day by day, players will be challenged to manage their limited resources and action points, making heart-wrenching decisions about who to help and how to survive.
Inspired by critically acclaimed titles like Disco Elysium and Planescape: Torment, Hollow Home offers a deep and immersive narrative experience that reflects the real-world horrors of war, while also exploring themes of resilience, humanity, and the loss of innocence in the face of overwhelming tragedy.
Key Features
Non-Linear Narrative:
- Massive replayability with branching storylines influenced by player choices.
- Dialogue-driven gameplay with no combat system, focusing on the psychological and emotional impact of war.
RPG Roots:
- Deeply rooted in classic RPG mechanics, including crafting, cooking, survival, and character customization.
Dynamic World:
- The game world evolves and reflects the player’s decisions and progression, with the city gradually succumbing to the horrors of war.
Survival Focus:
- Players must manage limited action points daily, making tough decisions to ensure survival and assist others.
- Learn essential survival skills like cooking, crafting, and medical care through interaction and quests.
Realistic Setting:
- Set against the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the game portrays real events through fictional characters.
- The story is inspired by the harsh realities of war, emphasizing its enduring impact on humanity.
Emotional Depth:
- Experience the war through the eyes of a 14-year-old protagonist, Maksym, as his world is shattered by the invasion.
- The game emphasizes the emotional toll of war rather than graphic violence.
Inspired by Classics:
- Strongly influenced by narrative-driven RPGs like Disco Elysium and Planescape: Torment, focusing on rich storytelling and moral dilemmas.
Hollow Home just launched a Demo on Steam, which will be accessible until the end of the Ukrainian Steam Festival (August 26th)-. Below are some screens about the game and trailer. The probable release is set for 2025.
