From Fungal Worlds to Footlights: Dread Delusion's Creator Takes a Turn for the Dramatic with 'Entropy'
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Lovely Hellplace, the clever wizards behind *Dread Delusion*, are casting a new spell with *Entropy*, a turn-based JRPG that swaps open-world exploration for a theatrical start and a grim 'dying age' setting, all while retaining their signature 'Morrowindy' pixel aesthetic. Jeff's intrigued by the genre pivot and the dark, compelling world, despite a gentle skepticism about early combat snippets.
Right, so you know those game studios that just *get* it? The ones who conjure worlds so utterly unique you reckon they've accidentally opened a portal to another dimension during a coffee break? Lovely Hellplace, the mad alchemists behind the gloriously gribbly *Dread Delusion*, are back at it. And bloody hell, it looks like they've decided to swap their sprawling, fungal-encrusted open-world spellbook for something a bit more... theatrical.
We're talking about *Entropy*, mate, a newly announced turn-based party RPG from Lovely Hellplace and their delightfully sinister patrons at DreadXP. Fair warning: if you were expecting more of that first-person, exploration-heavy goodness from *Dread Delusion*, you're in for a delightful twist. This time, they're channeling the spirit of classic Japanese RPGs, but don't you worry, that signature 'Morrowindy' fungal pixel aesthetic? Oh, it's very much along for the ride.
Now, here's where it gets interesting – and brilliantly bonkers. *Entropy* kicks off, much like a certain beloved *Final Fantasy IX*, with a theatre show. You, dear player, begin as a humble, perhaps even slightly rubbish, thespian armed with nothing but a prop sword. Sounds cozy, right? Like a charming indie play put on by enthusiastic amateurs. But then, because this is Lovely Hellplace we're talking about, actual, honest-to-god horrible creatures crash the stage. Suddenly, your acting troupe isn't just delivering lines; they're armoring up and questing forth to snuff out a demon incursion. What's the best Shakespeare line to invoke here, eh? Something about elemental weaknesses, surely. Hamlet said that, probably, before he – well, you know. Don't Google it, I'm already halfway through brewing my next thought-potion.
The press release paints a rather bleak, yet utterly compelling, picture of *Entropy*'s world: 'In this dying age, only pockets of humanity remain. There was no grand apocalyptic event to speak of; only the cruel march of time and the inexplicable infertility of the world led us here. Accursed creatures stalk the barren lands between settlements, which are themselves terrible places; squalid, medieval, and mostly ruled by tyrants.' Bloody hell, that's a mood, isn't it? No meteors, no ancient evils suddenly waking up, just the slow, painful decay of everything. It's a deeply unsettling concept, and honestly, a fascinating departure from the usual 'chosen one saves the world from Big Bad' narrative. You almost wonder if Lovely Hellspace founder James Wragg just took a long, hard look at a grey Tuesday in England and thought, 'Right, that's my setting.'
Having (presumably) escaped some rather grim-sounding burg called Draenog, your troupe is left to wander an 'expansive' world map. Now, I'm super curious if *Entropy* will retain that pocket-sized, open-world-ish format that made *Dread Delusion* feel so delightfully dense, even with its retro leanings. Will it be a truly open map, or more like a series of interconnected, detailed zones à la classic JRPGs? Either way, the promise of more 'Morrowindy' goodness, especially in a world described as so grimly fascinating, has my digital wizard senses tingling. *Dread Delusion* proved Lovely Hellplace can make sprawling feel intimate, so I'm cautiously optimistic.
Mechanically, you'll be gathering a party of up to six characters – a proper adventuring company, then! And if any of your comrades manage to get gloriously slain, you've got the option of hiring mercs. I love that. It adds a layer of consequence and flexibility, forcing you to adapt. Naturally, there's levelling involved, with all the stat boosts and unlockable perks you'd expect from a classic JRPG. Who doesn't love making their party members incrementally more powerful, turning a gang of struggling actors into genuine demon-slaying legends?
My only slight eyebrow-raise comes from the snippets of battle shown in the trailer. They do seem a *tad* 'by-the-numbers' at first glance. But you know what? Trailers are just a glimpse, a fleeting moment caught in the magical mirror. The true depth of a turn-based system often lies in its enemy design, spell interactions, and strategic nuances, which are harder to convey in a quick sizzle reel. Given Lovely Hellplace's track record for unique world-building and clever systems, I'm holding onto a good dose of optimism that they'll bake in enough tactical deliciousness to keep us theory-crafting for hours.
All in all, while it's a genre pivot, the core DNA of Lovely Hellplace — that unique aesthetic, the darkly imaginative worlds, the sense of an unsettling but utterly captivating adventure — seems to be pulsing stronger than ever. *Entropy* is slated for a 2026 release on Steam, and honestly, I'm ready to embrace another dreadful delusion. Sign me up for the stage crew; I reckon this show's going to be a bloody good one.
Tags: JRPG, Indie Game, Turn-Based RPG, Fantasy, PC Gaming
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun