Dakota the RPG

Most of humanity has been wiped out due to an unexplained cataclysm. So what do we do when a tragic event like that happens? Why, we host a World's Fair, that's what we do! Not only that, we transform the countryside into one big live-action RPG. Such is the fate of the main character Dakota, as he is chosen to take part in this "Grand Role Playing Game Exposition". Now he must find a handful of magical cards scattered throughout the landscape and make his way to the fair.

You start the game in control of Anna, an aspiring rock and roller who dreams of one day being in a band. Summer has just begun and it's your brother Cody's birthday today. A week ago, Anna purchased a one-of-a-kind randomly-generated game from the local game store for the two of them to spend their summer playing together.

Thankfully Cody's present arrives just in time. The game is called "Dakota the RPG", and when Anna and Cody sit down to play it, you then take control of Dakota, a laid-back loner who lives in a cozy cabin deep in the Black hills, with his faithful canine companion, Idaho.

Just as the monotony of living alone is starting to take its toll on Dakota, he is visited by a strange and enthusiatic robot named Utah, who invites Dakota and Idaho to join him on a quest to find the 27 Arcana, a set of magical cards hidden throughout the realm by an Elven Princess. If they can complete the deck and deliver it to her, she will grant each of them one wish.

Along the way questions will arise, cliches will be examined, and friends will be made.

FEATURES

• Turn-based battle system as well as visible enemies (no random battles)
• Equip cards instead of gear to enhance your stats and acquire various abilities
• Multiple storylines intersecting into a single narrative, each with their own play mechanics
• A variety of pixel art styles, ranging from  early console games and crpgs from the 80s to the 16-bit era in the 90s
• Cinematics similar to those found in CD-ROM games from the 90s
• Synthwave/shoegaze inspired soundtrack

Dakota the RPG is a love letter to the classic turn-based RPGs of the eighties and nineties, four years in the making. Although it's listed as "In Development", this is a complete project, consisting of the first 5 or 6 hours of what will probably be a 15 to 20 hour adventure. So think of this "playable demo" as the first movie of what will hopefully be an epic trilogy.

If you do download it, hopefully you have a fun time playing what I've done here. And if so, please consider leaving a comment sharing your thoughts. I would love to hear what you think.

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