Anticipated follow-up to acclaimed 'anti-RPG' Moon, Moon sequel, slated for release on Steam this year.
Unveiling the Peculiar World of Stray Children
Dive into the unheard-of realm of Onion Games and the enigmatic studio, Love-de-Lic. While they may be unfamiliar to many, they have left an indelible mark on the gaming universe with their distinctive cult hits over the past three decades. Their unusual, offbeat RPG worlds teem with loveable misfits, strange creatures, quirky music, and thought-provoking themes that challenge our perspectives.
With much fanfare, it's confirmed that Stray Children, their latest mind-bending RPG, is set to launch in English on Steam this year. The exact release date remains undisclosed, but that narrows it down to the subsequent six months. Get a sneak peek at the oddity that awaits in the new trailer, showcasing a colossal psychedelic fish, amongst other bizarre phenomena.
Dive In In Stray Children, you step into the shoes of a canine-faced child, plucked through a magical computer portal into a world where grown-ups have mutated into violent monsters, and the remaining youth live fortified in a town. The remaining adults, according to the game's description, "carry the weight of their own inadequacies, self-doubt, and all of the grievances that grown-ups gather." So, prepare for some profound Themes and Ideas.
Though Onion Games has produced several extraordinary creations in recent years (including the hilarious puzzle-adventure game, Dandy Dungeon, and the dark fairytale shoot-em-up, Black Bird), Stray Children seems to be the first in a while to truly capture the essence and tone of Moon, its defining works like the "anti-RPG" Moon, and the affectionate flirt-em-up, Chulip.
Moon, in particular, was among the first games to truly dismantle the classic RPG genre. Instead of allowing you to defeat monsters, break pots, and vanquish evil lords, it placed you in the role of a minor NPC, living your daily routine, eating, sleeping, and tidying up the messes left behind by the "hero," all while saving the souls of the many endearing creatures left devastated in the protagonist's wake. A brilliant subversion that made a significant impact.
Toby Fox, the creator of Undertale, openly acknowledges Moon as a primary influence. This influence appears to be reciprocated in Stray Children. The store page mentions turn-based combat with real-time bullet-dodging elements and the option to confront enemies with either direct violence or dialogue. It's an impressive example of concept exchange between Japan and the US, especially considering how niche a release Moon was, being a Japanese cult favorite for decades.
Stray Children is set to drop this year, and you can add it to your wishlist now on Steam. As you count down the days, don't forget to experience Moon, which saw a polished-up and long-awaited English PC release back in 2021, two and a half decades after its Japanese debut. Don't miss out on 24 Killers while you wait, a recent indie gem that draws heavily on the Love-de-Lic legacy, as detailed by cult media scholar Mara on YouTube.
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Dominic Tarason
The product of a squandered youth, wasted prime, and barreling towards a squandered middle age, Dominic Tarason is a freelance writer, occasional indie PR guy, and professional techno-hermit, frequently spotted lurking in various corners of the internet and rarely seen in reality. Based deep in the Welsh countryside, far from the reach of food delivery services, gaming offers a raw, gritty escape from the picturesque landscapes and clean country air. If you're seeking something new and potentially quite peculiar to play, feel free to reach out to him on Bluesky—he's almost sociable, most of the time.
- The upcoming game, Stray Children, from Onion Games and Love-de-Lic, is an RPG that promises professional-level entertainment, with turn-based combat and real-time bullet-dodging elements, as well as the option to engage enemies with dialogue instead of direct violence.
- In preparation for the release of Stray Children, consider adding it to your Steam wishlist and revisiting Moon, a cult classic game that served as a primary influence for Toby Fox, the creator of Undertale.
- Before the arrival of Stray Children, experience 24 Killers, an indie gem that draws heavily on the Love-de-Lic legacy, as detailed by cult media scholar Mara, who often discusses such topics on her YouTube channel.
- To stay updated on the latest gaming news, reviews, and deals, subscribe to the PC Gamer newsletter or follow Dominic Tarason, a freelance writer with a passion for the peculiar and unusual in gaming.
