Ithaca is a road trip RPG about climate resistance and dealing with the hostage you have in your trunk
Ithaca, an upcoming narrative road-trip game with RPG elements, is entering a niche genre by combining vehicular travel with environmental storytelling and ethical decision-making. Players take on the role of Penelope, an environmental rights lawyer driving toward the game’s titular destination, engaging in a journey framed around environmental resistance themes.
The game’s premise subverts traditional road-trip expectations by incorporating darker elements alongside the typical contemplative nature of long-distance driving. The title’s reference to a hostage in the trunk suggests the narrative will grapple with morally complex situations alongside environmental activism, examining the contradictions inherent in car-dependent travel while pursuing ecological goals.
Developed as a narrative-focused experience with RPG mechanics, Ithaca positions itself within a broader trend of indie games using unconventional settings to explore philosophical and political themes. Road-trip games remain relatively uncommon in gaming, making Ithaca’s approach to the genre noteworthy for its emphasis on environmental storytelling rather than pure exploration or racing mechanics.