Prepare your best brooding face — Assemble Entertainment and developer DigiTales Interactive’s story-driven sci-fi noir adventure Lacuna is headed to Windows PC via Steam on May 20th 2021, for a full commercial launch. To celebrate the announcement of the release date, the publisher has made a permanent free-to-play prologue demo available on Steam, featuring an hour of riveting playtime.
Lacuna — winner of ‘Best Prototype’ at Game Award Saar and second place for “Best Game” at Indie Game Fest 2019 — is a story-based pixel art adventure set in a beautiful 2D sci-fi noir universe that challenges the player to utilize extensive dialogue options to make decisions with potentially serious consequences. In the game, players must use their moral compass to navigate an emotionally intense experience that may or may not stimulate some critical self-reflection.
In Lacuna, you’ll step into the tattered loafers of long-time Central Department of Investigation (CDI) agent Neil Conrad, who’s just been informed of a grisly murder that will soon turn the world on its head. Attention to detail and an inquisitive mind will prove helpful as you put the scattered pieces of the case together until the truth reveals itself…or not. The story of Lacuna branches, and finally ends, based on your actions throughout the game — and there’s no going back. Don’t try rushing to the end, or you’ll pay a hefty price; play your cards right and you might just make it out alive.
?️♂ Our #scifinoir #adventuregame #Lacuna is heading to #Steam on May 20!
?️♂ Together with @digitales_games we have made a free ‘Prologue’ #Demo available on Steam.
? Get the Prologue demo:https://t.co/ryhfZrmDVg
? Wishlist Lacuna:https://t.co/AXbozdfH0R#indiedev pic.twitter.com/J4r0S1h42q
— AssembleTeam (@AssembleTeam) April 22, 2021
Lacuna does away with the baggage of many over-used adventure game tropes such as the “point-and-click” mechanic, repeating dialogue options, counter-intuitive puzzles, pixel hunting, and interruptive story breaks. Instead, Lacuna utilizes normal WASD/controller controls, dynamic conversational choices, story-driven mysteries, optional interactable, multiple unique endings, and a story that marches onward in spite of obstacles.
Game details and features as shared on Steam:
Here’s the deal
You are Neil Conrad, CDI agent. Awoken by the news of a murder, you rush into a case that will soon turn your life and the whole solar system upside down. Ask questions, collect evidence, and put the pieces together until the ugly truth reveals itself… or not.
No takebacks
The story branches and ends based on your actions. There’s no going back. Sure, you can rush your way to the end – if you don’t mind paying the price. Play your cards right, and you might make it out alive.
How far will you go?
Some questions don’t have the right answer. Will you sell out a friend to protect your family? Will you endanger a loved one in exchange for public safety? Will you keep the peace or reveal the horrible, world-shattering truth?
Hungry for Point & Click Adventure?
While the classics were great in their time, Lacuna does away with the baggage of many adventure game tropes:
- Pointing & clicking Platformer movement controls (WASD / controller)
- Selecting all dialog options one by one anyway Non-repeating conversations and choices
- Inventory management and counter-intuitive puzzles Immersive, story-driven mysteries
- Pixel hunting Optional outlines on anything interactable
- Story grinds to a halt at every puzzle can always be driven forward
- “x will remember this” Real choices and multiple endings
It's #screenshotsaturday! For this one, we've prepared a special video introducing a silent NPC you will meet multiple times in our #adventuregame Lacuna. We affectionately call her "scrap metal granny", and she is inspired by a real person. Sound on! ? pic.twitter.com/f051cv84Gh
— DigiTales Interactive ?️ Lacuna Prologue OUT NOW! (@digitales_games) April 24, 2021
