Broken Roads

Broken Roads, the ambitious upcoming computer role-playing game from Australian indie studio Drop Bear Bytes, aims to transport players to the dangerous beauty of a post-apocalyptic Outback. Blending classic RPG elements with innovative new features, Broken Roads promises an unforgettable narrative adventure across the wastelands of western Australia.

A Deeply Intricate Story in a Vividly Realized Apocalyptic World

Set decades after a worldwide cataclysmic event known only as "The Fall", Broken Roads' engrossing storyline takes place amidst the ruined remnants of western Australian cities and the harsh unforgiving deserts of the Outback. As you guide your protagonist across this starkly beautiful setting, a complex narrative with far-reaching consequences awaits.

Broken Roads features an impressive array of intricately interwoven quest lines, meaningful conflicts, gripping characters, and hidden secrets that unveil themselves as you play. Your difficult choices shape the evolving storylines, leading to dramatic divergences and multiple outcomes, giving the game tremendous replay value.

Along the way, rich descriptive writing and environmental details fully immerse you in this dangerous new world. Both the sweeping vistas of the desert and the ruined urban environments are brought to life with incredible atmosphere.

A Foundation of Classic Computer RPG Mechanics

While incorporating traditional gameplay pillars of computer RPGs like turn-based combat, skill checks, branching dialogues and impactful choices, Broken Roads adds its own unique innovations to the mix. The highlight is the groundbreaking "Moral Compass" system, which dynamically tracks your protagonist's philosophical outlook based on the choices you make throughout the game.

This emphasis on nuanced worldviews and moral identity over rigid good and evil alignments sets Broken Roads apart from peers in the genre. Combined with the flexible classless character system that allows for deep customization of your abilities, these innovations provide unprecedented freedom in shaping your journey through its post-apocalyptic Australia.

The Moral Compass - A Pioneering Approach to Morality and Character Identity

Unlike simplistic good and evil scales, the Moral Compass system focuses instead on your developing philosophical leanings. A utilitarian outlook may lead you to prioritize the greater good over individual lives, while a more humanist approach focuses on moral absolutes. As your Compass shifts in response to the story, your protagonist develops a unique moral identity that fuels their motivations and opens new narratively meaningful paths. It's a novel take on interactive morality systems, eschewing binaries to encourage nuanced perspectives. Your choices influence your Compass, which then opens new choices in a feedback loop that brings tremendous depth to your character.

Review: 8.5/10

With its imaginative post-apocalyptic Australian setting, emphasis on role-playing freedom through both narrative choices and character build options, and its revolutionary morality system, Broken Roads pushes the RPG genre forward while staying true to its classic roots. Both loyal fans of isometric RPGs and newcomers will find much to love in its skillful blend of old-school appeal and ambitious new ideas.

Pros:

• Immersive and realized post-apocalyptic Australian setting
• Innovative morality system allows nuanced worldviews
• Highly customizable classless character development
• Non-linear quests react to choices creating great replay value

Cons:

• Combat and gameplay systems feel unpolished in places
• Crafting/survival elements could be more developed
• Uneven pacing during some narrative sections