Neon Hope

Product detailed description

In NEON HOPE, you have the chance to fight back against cyberpunk’s grim vision of the future. Dystopia seems inevitable, but the worst is yet to come. You can still change the world for the better. Do not lose hope! This game takes interactive storytelling to the next level, where your decisions will shape a branching narrative. NEON HOPE is inspired by games like Arkham Horror: The Card Game and Netrunner, bringing together strategic card play and captivating storytelling in a unique European science-fiction setting. Join us to bring this futuristic vision of Berlin to reality!

In NEON HOPE, you and your friends take on the roles of everyday people in the not-so-distant future, stumbling into an affair much bigger than you are prepared for.

The places you visit, the people you meet, as well as the forces that work against you are represented by cards. On your turn, you will spend actions to interact with these cards (investigating leads, fighting enemies, hacking computer systems, or asking for support). When you complete cards, you flip them to discover their hidden backside and to advance the story. Thereby discovering the narrative dynamically while you play.

• The Grid. A unique mechanic to modify skill tests. Revealed modifiers are not shuffled back, allowing you to strategize and plan your next actions.
• Flexible Progression. Your character evolves while playing. Earn resources by advancing the story and use them to purchase power-ups that shift your strategy.
• Dynamic Enemies. Threats respond to your actions, creating unexpected situations.

NEON HOPE is a departure from grim-dark cyberpunk, where corporations have seized power. Instead, it portrays a future where the worst is yet to come: the rich are still getting richer, politicians are sometimes corrupt, and the earth's valuable resources are dwindling. All in the backdrop of a dysfunctional democracy refusing to die.

The game presents a uniquely European future. One in which generations of free movement have transformed the continent into a multicultural community. Its people live in a world of contradictions: tech CEOs claim to be advocating to preserve nature, promising technologies that lead to the betterment of peoplekind. However, it is a promise that never materializes. While many aspects of the world seem utopian and aspirational at first, dystopia is looming underneath.

Each game in NEON HOPE is one part of a bigger story. Imagine it like an episode of a TV series, which culminates in a big season finale. After each episode, your characters recover their strength, improve their abilities, and continue their adventure in the next game.

The game combines both emerging and scripted narrative to tell its story. In each episode, several cards are randomized to provide a varied experience on repeat playthroughs. At the same time, a written narrative guides you through the story and presents you with various key decisions, branching out to one of many endings.

Even if you lose an individual game, your journey always continues. You do not simply “fail forward”, leading to subsequent episodes being harder. Instead, we focus on dynamic story beats which unfold from your setbacks or successes, creating a story that feels unique to your journey. Every choice is a new opportunity to turn the tide.

Each playthrough spans five episodes of 90-120 minutes each. You will never see all available episodes and story paths in a single playthrough. Thus making it worthwhile to return and explore different choices and outcomes.

 
Review (EN):