If you’re not familiar with Mother, you may recognize its Western title: EarthBound Beginnings. (Plain old Earthbound is actually Mother 2 – you can read some more why here.) The Mother/EarthBound trilogy of RPGs is iconic, launching between 1989 and 2006. It is safe to say it has inspired many games throughout the decades, including Atlas Wept. This retro-inspired title is an RPG that combines turn-based combat and bullet hell action, and it’s made by a single person! Atlas Wept is set to launch for PC in mid-January 2024.
Atlas Wept is set in a distant planet that is enshrouded in mysteries. Two groups of wayward children set out on dangerous journeys. Dezi and Charlie are getting closer to the origin of a malevolent personality-erasing force. Hal and Lucy are seeking the truth behind Gigi the Robot Dog’s existence; this storyline allows players to learn more about the planet. Players will alternate between groups across 12 chapters, piecing together the narrative as they progress.
Experience hardships through the lens of children as they witness and question the cruelties in the world. The core cast of the game will evolve by relying on reach other, overcoming challenges, learning lessons, and fostering compassion. Explore the colourful world from underground temples to snow-capped mountains. There are light puzzles to solve along the way, and combat features accessible action mini-games.
Combining classic turn-based battles with action mini-games creates a fast-paced and satisfying gameplay loop. Enemy attack patterns vary by foe. Stun enemies to gain a few turns in order to deal massive damage. Adjust stats and the party’s abilities with the Stamp Book.
As I mentioned, Atlas Wept is made by a solo developer: Kbojisoft. Kbojisoft, based in Los Angeles, is founded by Robbie Charlotte Lee (previously a Senior Software Engineer at The Walt Disney Company). Atlas Wept is Kbojisoft’s first project. “Atlas Wept is both a love letter to classic RPGs and an exploration of a story and characters I’ve had on my mind for years,” said Robbie Charlotte Lee through a press release. “My goal was to create an empathy-driven narrative that serves as a look at humanity and the spectrum of emotions enveloped in it, all within an entertaining package!”
Developed by Kbojisoft, and published by Kbojisoft and Wings (learn more about Wings here), Atlas Wept will be released for PC via Steam on January 17, 2024.
Thanks for highlighting this game! Hadn’t heard of it before and it looks great … especially if almost complete and ready for release. So many games like this — solo dev work, nice look, tugging the heartstrings, promising a multi-layered gaming experience — end up stuck in dev hell or just disappear. Kudos to Kbojisoft for realizing the vision; I look forward to playing. 🙂