Retro World is an unreleased Indie RPG with Arcade elements where you inhabit a parallel universe where video games are real, letting you relive 30 years of gaming evolution as a retro sprite. The story tasks you with solving a bizarre mystery in a town obsessed with gaming, where strange phenomena and creature sightings have begun. Gameplay involves attending midnight launches, competing in tournaments, and reading in-game magazines for clues. It is slated for release on PC, Mac, and Linux.
The narrative begins as you arrive in a new town gripped by an intense, almost obsessive video game craze. Unfortunately, this newly favored pastime has brought unforeseen consequences to the residents of Frankton. Reports surface of unsettling phenomena, including missing individuals and sightings of mysterious, spectral creatures. As a newcomer, you team up with newly acquainted friends to investigate the source of these bizarre occurrences, suggesting a deeper mystery tied to the pervasive gaming culture.
The experience blends traditional RPG elements with a deep appreciation for gaming history. A significant feature involves immersing yourself in the evolution of the medium. Players can participate in events like midnight game launches and test their abilities in competitive in-game tournaments. To aid in the investigation and progression, players can consult in-game resources, such as reading digital magazines that offer tips, tricks, reviews, and even rumors about fictional, cutting-edge hardware like the "Gametron 9000 XZ." The primary loop involves exploration, interaction within this game-centric world, and progression through the central mystery, all while experiencing different eras of video game design.
The game's central appeal lies in its meta-narrative: reliving gaming history as a retro sprite within a world where games are alive. It offers a nostalgic journey through gaming eras, integrated directly into the central mystery of the town. The ability to interact with 30 years of gaming evolution as a core mechanic sets it apart.
As of the current date, this main game title has no officially announced downloadable content (DLCs) or expansions listed.
The game is scheduled for release across Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), and Mac operating systems.