The term “postmodern” is definitely a polarizing way to simply categorize an RPG, let alone adding the word into a game’s title intentionally. It’s a ludicrously diverse and obtuse term, encompassing a wide range of video games across genres. Recent games that could ostensibly be called postmodern include but aren’t limited to Spec Ops: The Line, Huniepop, and even to certain extents, classic fighting IPs like Mortal Kombat.
In spite of this, Developer Ackk Studios opts to throw caution to the wind, and add that uncomfortable adjective to their new title, Y2K: A Postmodern RPG.
Ackk manages to clear up a bit of confusion with a brief introduction to the game’s narrative style:
When recent college graduate Alex Eggleston returns home from college, he finds adult life to be filled with mystery, strange friends from the internet, and other worlds that exist just out of sight. In YIIK, journey across an expansive flat-shaded wonderland, rife with with intricate puzzles, fast paced turn based 8 party-member battles, cat tossing, panda dropping, ladder throwing action. *Batteries not included*
Further info from Ackk grounds the game solidly in the late 1990s, in which the impending Y2k not-actually-a-crisis will inevitably play a role.
There’s certainly plenty to be excited about in the game, however, when looking past its infuriatingly undergraduate title. Models and cutscenes look incredibly promising, in spite of a fashion sense that is less “’90s” and more “2014 San Francisco chic”. Environments strike one as quite stunning, seemingly adapted from the Superflat visual style of Takashi Murakami with a definite American spin. Other key influences claimed by Ackk are the SNES’s Mother and Earthbound.
There’s precious little info on game-play proper, which, in its own way is a bit troubling. However, from press screenshots it seems to draw heavily on the aforementioned Mother along with a few attack styles and animations inspired by the Persona series.
When looking at Y2K, it reminds the author of an increasing demand to place video games into the uncomfortable position of cultural artifact. When taking this approach, writers oftentimes shoehorn titles as representative of a societal ill, or, worse, sledgehammers in the screed of a gender ideologue. Pithy statements are often followed by academics willfully ignoring the game itself in favor of underlying themes or ill-supported cultural influences. What’s nice about Y2K is that it’s seemingly a very enthusiastic cultural artifact, looking to be not only an intriguing and unique game to play, but also hopefully an exploration and critique of its chosen era done within its own fresh and unique narrative.
Check out Ackk’s trailer below.
Y2K is expected to ship some time in the fourth quarter of this year.
