When a title grabs my attention, it’s usually because of the art style, probably the first thing that draws me in. That’s exactly the case with this intriguing project called Dissimilar.
For this overview, I’ve gathered all the information currently available, and I think it’s definitely a game worth keeping an eye on.
Dissimilar is an upcoming indie tactical RPG from Opal Grave Games, a two-person team. The game combines semi-open exploration, narrative mystery, and tactical turn-based combat. It presents itself as a story-driven experience where exploration and observation are as important as winning battles.
The premise follows Amelia, whose quiet evening is disrupted when her best friend takes control of her self-driving car and forces her to return to The Haven, a castle tied to her childhood.
What begins as an unexpected trip quickly turns into something darker, as Amelia is drawn into a mysterious game with rules she does not understand. At the center is the theme of buried family secrets and the slow unraveling of truths hidden in the past.
Exploration plays a central role in the design. The Haven is built as a semi-open environment, with hand-drawn areas, multiple rooms, and interconnected passageways.
Instead of following a strictly linear path, players are encouraged to investigate freely, discover hidden sections, and collect fragments of lore scattered through the castle. The developers emphasize observation and curiosity, presenting the space not just as a setting but as a layered narrative device.
Combat is handled through turn-based tactical encounters. Each battle features enemies designed around unique behaviors that challenge players to adjust their approach.
Defeat does not represent a hard failure but an opportunity to learn enemy patterns and refine strategies. Players can recruit and manage different fighters, each offering distinct skills, allowing for variation in team composition and tactical options.
The structure is closer to a puzzle-like system than to traditional stat-driven grinding, focusing on decision making and adaptability.
The visual presentation is hand-drawn, leaning toward a stylized and atmospheric look that matches the tone of the story.
Opal Grave Games is made up of Élias Arzel, responsible for the game’s visuals, and Alexandre Didi, who composes the soundtrack and contributes to design and writing. This two-person setup gives the project a unified creative vision, where art, music, and gameplay are designed in close alignment.
Narrative tone is built around psychological tension, mystery, and the sense of returning to a place filled with half-forgotten memories.
The choice of setting, a childhood vacation spot turned into a hostile environment, creates a contrast between familiarity and threat. The Haven becomes both a physical space to explore and a representation of Amelia’s history.
There are still unanswered questions about the final scope. The studio has not confirmed a specific release date, but it should be around December 2025, and a 1-hour demo is already available via Steam. I share more details about Dissimilar and the trailer below.
Details About The Game
Amelia expected her evening to be perfectly ordinary. What she did not expect was for her best friend to hack her car and bring her against her will to the Haven, the ancient castle her family used to holiday in when she was a child.
Far for being a sentimental visit, this improbable return to the place of her childhood finds Amelia forced to take part in a game she knows nothing about: not the how, not the who, and certainly not the why… And this game just might uncover secrets her family would have rather left hidden.
The Haven is yours to roam freely and in any order you want. Search through its handcrafted rooms, find secret passages and open forbidden doors. Uncover the castle’s history and that of Amelia’s family on this larger-than-life, intricate playing board.
Your observation skills and a keen sense of curiosity will be the keys to truly know the Haven and uncover every last of its secrets.
Create your own strategies, organise your team, position your fighters wisely and anticipate enemy patterns in exciting tactical battles where every choice matters.
Each enemy has a unique behaviour, and learning them is the key to mastering this unique battle system at the crossroad between puzzle games and RPGs.
Defeat is not the end: explore other paths, gather your strength and establish new strategies with a myriad unique fighters and skills.
Delve into a piece of speculative fiction that questions technology, ethics, and the weight of unspoken family trauma. Investigate both the present and childhood memories to find out the truth between Amelia’s kidnapping, and the true reasons behind the mysterious game she finds herself playing.
This entirely hand-drawn world comes alive to a soundtrack that blends epic orchestra and synth music, creating a unique atmosphere where ancient history meets futuristic technology.
