The follow-up to one of my favorite RPGs of the 2020s finally has a demo, and it does not disappoint: Bat people, a mushroom hellscape, and funky JRPG combat from bizarro world 2005
Lovely Hellplace, the developer behind the 2020s RPG Dread Delusion, has released a playable demo for its upcoming title Entropy on Steam, with an early access launch scheduled for August 18. Despite the significant mechanical shift from the studio’s previous work, Entropy maintains a consistent visual and atmospheric identity with its predecessor.
Entropy draws heavy inspiration from mid-2000s JRPG design, particularly games like Final Fantasy 10 and Lost Odyssey. The demo showcases this influence through its area design, character progression systems, and equipment mechanics, which evoke the aesthetic and feel of that era without sacrificing modern design sensibilities. The game’s movement mechanics and level layout reflect the straightforward, intentional design philosophy characteristic of early 2000s role-playing games.
The demo reception has been positive, with players noting the effectiveness of the nostalgic direction. While mechanically divergent from Dread Delusion, Entropy successfully captures the same atmospheric tone and visual style that defined its predecessor, suggesting the studio has refined its approach to world-building and aesthetic consistency while experimenting with substantially different gameplay systems.