Post-Apocalyptic Broken Roads Gets November Release Date

Games like Baldur’s Gate 3 remind me how much I enjoy a good narrative-focused RPG. A lot of games aim to make impactful choice-based experiences but fall short. It seems that Drop Bear Bytes is taking a shot at it with their upcoming game Broken Roads. Even better is that we finally have a release date for this Narrative-focused RPG.

Drop Bear Bytes is working with publisher Versus Evil to release Broken Roads, a strategic, turn-based narrative RPG set in post-apocalyptic Australia. As of a press release that was provided yesterday, Broken Roads will be released on PC and Xbox consoles on November 14^th, 2023. Here is what the press release has to say about the upcoming release.

“Independent game studio Drop Bear Bytes, in partnership with Versus Evil, are proud to reveal their upcoming isometric RPG Broken Roads is coming to Steam, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One on November 14th. Broken Roads is a narrative-driven RPG that brings exploration, strategic turn-based combat, and meaningful philosophical choices to an all-new Australian post-apocalyptic setting.

Broken Roads skillfully blends traditional and all-new role-playing elements on top of a classless system offering near-unlimited character development options built around four philosophies: Humanist, Utilitarian, Machiavellian, and Nihilist.

Furthermore, the game presents players with an original morality system: the Moral Compass which sees dialogue options and questing decisions influence, and be influenced by, a character’s philosophical leaning and the tough decisions they make along the way.

Broken Roads’ locations are all authentic recreated from the team visiting towns and landmarks in West Australia and taking photos, videos, and audio recordings for it to be as true as possible. Furthermore, even the game’s atmospheric soundtrack composed by Tim Sunderland is composed with instruments constructed from everyday objects which brings a wholly unique and distinctive tone to the game.”

Craig Ritchie, Game Director at Drop Bear Bytes, also commented on the upcoming release stating: “With Broken Roads we wanted to make a deep, moving RPG full of a massive web of choices that allow for unprecedented choice in role-playing. We also wanted to create a fully immersive world based around our native Australia, so a ton of work went into creating an authentic vision of this post-apocalyptic wasteland. Broken Roads may be set in the dusty desert badlands, but we wanted to ensure that it’s also full of compassion, empathy, and humanity.”

The General Manager of Versus Evil, Steve Escalante also expressed excitement for the collaboration, commenting: “RPGs are deeply embedded into the Versus Evil DNA and Broken Roads is among the best we’ve seen. We are pumped to get ready to launch Broken Roads to the masses and are confident it will strike a chord with fans of Disco Elysium and Pillars of Eternity. Enjoy!”

Comparing Broken Roads to Pillars of Eternity and Disco Elysium sets the bar pretty high. I’m curious to see if the game can meet those expectations when it releases in November. Are you excited for the upcoming release of Broken Roads? Let us know in the comments!