Indie games on Steam encompass virtually every genre, and visual novels are no exception. Though the golden era of choice-based, story-driven games came and went in the 2010s, with the shutdown of Telltale being a big blow to fans of the genre, narrative games have been seeing a resurgence lately. Not only has Telltale reformed, but Life is Strange has returned to the beloved duo of the original game, appealing to long-time fans of the series. And then, of course, there’s Dispatch, the brilliant new IP from AdHoc Studio that Steam’s Crimson Frontier: Youth bears a clear resemblance to.
While Dispatch’s team management sections were surprisingly addicting, the game really shined because of its characters and writing, which is what Crimson Frontier: Youth aims to replicate. Two great romance paths, catchy music, tons of adult humor that sticks the landing, a gorgeous art style, and a fresh spin on the superhero genre via SDN all made Dispatch a hit with audiences. And while living up to Dispatch is a big ask, Crimson Frontier: Youth is aiming to let players shape its protagonist just like how Dispatch players could decide how their Robert Robertson would act in every scenario. And to really drive home the idea of choices mattering, Crimson Frontier: Youth allows players to shape a young adult and their relationships with fellow students, leveraging a school setting just like the modern Persona games.
Crimson Frontier: Youth Features at a Glance
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image via Hanuman Games -
image via Hanuman Games -
image via Hanuman Games
- MAKE CHOICES at every turn, shaping your ideal version of the game’s protagonist.
- MEET a wide range of characters with distinct stories and personalities.
- LISTEN to a unique soundtrack that matches the difficult choices on-screen.
- VIEW hand-crafted scenes with a distinct art style.
…a visual novel about the future, where every choice shapes the protagonist’s character. Follow the path from youth to adulthood, play as a scoundrel or a champion of justice, fall in love, and create your own unique story.
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Crimson Frontier: Youth’s Protagonist Has a Key Similarity to Dispatch’s Robert
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image via Hanuman Games -
image via Hanuman Games -
image via Hanuman Games
One of the key aspects of Mecha Man’s character arc was living in his father’s shadow, with Robert’s dad being a beloved holder of the Mecha Man mantle. This is one of the challenges Crimson Frontier: Youth’s protagonist, Adam Crimson, will also deal with, as he’s the son of a renowned military captain. Unfortunately for Adam, this role sees him moving from school to school, which has him struggling to make friends and succeed at his studies. As he works to find himself in his latest school system, Adam won’t just meet a range of students and teachers, but will also find himself eyeing up a revolution that sounds right up the alley of Persona 5’s Phantom Thieves.
Scratch & Peek
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as
possible.
The world of Crimson Frontier: Youth features corrupt corporations, with a resistance moving building to push back at their attempts to control society. Adam will seemingly be free to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a military man or join the freedom fighters to create a better society. Per developer Hanuman Games, there will be no “fake choices” in this title, as every decision will shape Adam’s personality, views, and relationships. It’s said that “even a small action can change the tone of a scene,” with consequences that show up far later in the narrative also being a possibility. The characters will also apparently be just as deep as Adam himself, with no cliches used and some designed to make players question whether a “right choice” even exists.
Like Dispatch and Persona, Crimson Frontier: Youth Goes All in On Art and Music
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image via Hanuman Games -
image via Hanuman Games -
image via Hanuman Games
Both Dispatch and Persona stand out for not just their art styles, but their distinct musical choices, and Crimson Frontier: Youth will fortunately be making sure both of these aspects shine. The design process of the comic-like art style can be examined via a gallery in the menu, with the development team stressing that not a single bit of AI was used to bring the world to life. The same approach applies to the original music of the game, which is built to immerse the player in the “harsh world of the future.” Players can expect music that suits both quiet character-driven moments and more intense, impactful choices. With hand-crafted art and original music, Crimson Frontier: Youth will have a distinct look and sound that is hopefully paired with some strong writing.
