Metis Creative announce RPG, WANE

This will freak my editor or those who know me out a little, but I am enjoying the number of CRPG-themed games we’re getting right now. Particularly the ones that are taking some influence from Disco Elysium in some ways. Well, announced at the weekend during PC Gamer’s PC Gaming Show Tokyo Direct, WANE might give some hints of conventional CRPGs with a styling not too dissimilar to Disco Elysium. Here is what the press release for Metis Creative and Shoreline Games’ WANE has to say about the announcement:

“You’ve been invited inside a haunted mind, as Metis Creative unveils WANE, an occultish turn-based RPG set against the backdrop of an industrial noir world. Published in partnership with Shoreline Games, WANE follows Declan Wayne, a fading archaeologist tormented by his fading sense of self. As Declan turns inward, he must traverse the corridors of his mind, a labyrinth drawn from memory, distorted by regret, and guarded by what he cannot let go.

In WANE, players take on the role of Declan Wayne, a fading archaeologist whose fractured memories have transformed his cerebral realm of Ravelle into a shifting labyrinth of trauma, obsession, and regret. Players recruit adventurers, build a three-person party, and descend through three distinct biomes in grid-based tactical combat shaped by attrition, random encounters, and boss battles.

Between expeditions, players return to an antiquarian shop to appraise and sell relics, upgrade facilities, and fund the next run. As the Rogue-like cycle continues, new synergies, shortcuts, and permanent buffs open up while the story unfolds through repeated journeys deeper into Ravelle.”

CEO of Shoreline Games, Keith Kawamura, said of the announcement, “Metis Creative has the kind of imagination that makes you want to pay attention to whatever they’re working on next. Having already had the chance to work with the team once before, we knew firsthand just how thoughtful and inventive they are. WANE is a fantastic example of that creativity, and from the moment we saw what the team was creating, we knew we wanted to help bring it to players. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Metis again and finally begin sharing WANE with the world.”

Sarp Duyar, CEO of Metis Creative, said: “Metis Creative has found success in our ability to produce high-quality, original visuals that match a deep and engaging narrative across several award-winning tabletop games. Our vision with WANE is to continue that tradition across a totally new medium for us and push the boundaries of our creativity.”

The press release also goes on to note the key features of WANE: “Memory is the Map – Ravelle is a labyrinth built from Declan’s deteriorating memories, with his defining moments, traumas, obsessions, and regrets shaping the path forward… and reshaping it entirely.

Tactical Turn-Based Combat – Fight through grid-based tactical encounters built around positioning, cover and line of sight, with the uncertainty of percentage-based attacks.

Rule of Three – Descend through the Ravellian Sanatorium, the Palace of Arvanshah, and the Death Pilgrimage to Erabel, each of the three biomes connected to Ravelle’s history and Declan’s fractured memories.

Run the Shop – Bring relics back from expeditions to appraise and auction in Declan’s antiquarian shop, using the proceeds to upgrade facilities and fund future runs.

A Story Told Through Repetition – WANE’s narrative unfolds across repeated expeditions, revealing more of its characters and Declan’s story with each run.”

No word yet, of course, on when we’ll get to play WANE, but I can say for sure that it instantly went on my Steam wishlist for its art style and the fact that it reminds me a little of Disco Elysium for some reason. Probably the screenshot with the town and the art style that is inescapable. Though, I’ll admit, I do want to see how the Rogue-lite elements play into WANE; I’m excited from this first showing of Metis Creative’s latest project.