‘Open world fatigue’ is one reason indie RPG Entropy is borrowing from the classics: ‘PS1, PS2, GameCube games really never outstayed their welcome’
Indie RPG developer Lovely Hellplace is addressing “open world fatigue” by returning to the streamlined design philosophies of classic games from the PS1, PS2, and GameCube eras. The studio’s retro-focused approach is evident in both their 2024 title Dread Delusion and their early-access RPG Entropy, both characterized by deliberately dated polygon graphics and vintage game design sensibilities.
Dread Delusion drew inspiration from Morrowind as a stripped-down experience, while Entropy combines classic JRPG design with elements of PC gaming. Lead developer James Wragg explained that the appeal of older games lies in their intentional restraint: “What I love about this era is that things are a lot more streamlined and a lot simpler, but in a really intentional way.”
The developer’s philosophy reflects a broader industry concern about sprawling open worlds overstaying their welcome. By borrowing design principles from games that knew when to end, Lovely Hellplace is positioning Entropy as an alternative to modern bloat-heavy RPGs.