Despite providing such a distinct visual style, the steampunk genre has not been tapped by the video game industry as much as one would expect. Sure, there are standout games like BioShock Infinite, and the upcoming release of Clockwork Revolution looks very promising, the genre still has a lot of untapped potential compared to sci-fi or fantasy. That’s why the upcoming Steam game Glasshouse is so intriguing, as it boasts a Dishonored-like aesthetic alongside a gameplay loop resembling the iconic indie title Disco Elysium.
Disco Elysium has been celebrated for over half a decade, to the point where practically everyone knows why it’s such a special game. Incredible writing and acting, a truly unique skill system, and a deliberate lack of combat all defined that game, and fortunately, these traits are all a part of Glasshouse to some extent. However, though players can avoid a lot of combat by talking their way out of trouble, doing so would mean missing out on a deep turn-based combat system. No matter what path Steam players take, though, they’ll get to experience an interesting political storyline with (hopefully) strong dialogue to match.
Glasshouse only lists “coming soon” as its release date, suggesting it could be in development for some time still.
Wishlist Glasshouse on Steam
- EXPERIENCE the story of Wealdmear, a deputy with a desire to become a beloved leader.
- TALK or FIGHT your way out of situations via turn-based combat and meaningful dialogue choices.
- BUILD your character via a unique class system, allowing you to handle interactions with certain characters better.
- IMPROVE your character by reading books to gain knowledge and building gear in a workshop.
- UNLOCK eight different endings to see the various fates of Glasshouse’s post-capitalist world.
Feudalpunk CRPG, with Turn-based combat, set in a lockdown apartment block at the dawn of a world war. Investigate the mysterious triple murder next door, fight the Political Conspiracy, and make terrible choices before the flatmates do it for you!
Glasshouse’s World Allows for Disco Elysium-Level Storytelling, But Can It Deliver?
Ultimately, any game like Disco Elysium is going to have a very high bar to get over when it comes to acting and dialogue. This isn’t impossible, to be clear, as Disco Elysium came out of nowhere and was indie developer ZA/UM’s debut game, so perhaps the same will happen with Glasshouse and new studio Flat28. Conceptually, it has everything it needs to succeed, as its premise will allow for much of the mature storytelling and themes that blew Disco Elysium players away.
Scratch & Peek
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as
possible.
Glasshouse throws players into a fictional world that is completely different from anything resembling reality. In this universe, the idea of states and nations ended in 1828, something that came with the downside of stalling innovation across the world. This lack of technological development and the abandonment of capitalism resulted in a world on the verge of world war come 2028 (which is when the game takes place), as the many Sterile Fiefdoms are poised to revolt against the few well-off ones that are still considered Productive. In Glasshouse, players control a character named Wealdmear, a deputy who has to deal with a series of murders short-term and a would-be politician who strives to be a “righteous” leader long-term.
Glasshouse Takes Notes From Disco Elysium’s Clever Skill System, But Encourages Combat
While Glasshouse’s skills aren’t voices in the protagonist’s head—that concept takes a different form via Wealdmear’s inner Ego and a narrator that directs the story as if it were a play—the skill system is unique nonetheless. Each character that the player interacts with inside the apartment complex will have a distinct political identity that players need to figure out via dialogue, and this is where their own Political Compass comes into play. Players build their Compass around 5 different ideologies, and leveling up certain beliefs will make interacting with various NPCs easier or harder, opening up alternate paths. Glasshouse advertises that everything is political, even the gameplay, and this skill system lives up to that premise.
As players explore the cramped and pipe-filled working-class dwellings of the fictional setting Lundonstoch, they’ll encounter a range of mechanics: complicated puzzles, quick time events, secret hiding places, and a whole lot of dialogue. A Cunning mechanic will allow players to access exclusive dialogue trees if they have certain items in their inventories, rewarding exploration. The dialogue is so deep, in fact, that players can make enemies surrender purely through some clever talking, another key element of Disco Elysium. However, players shouldn’t be afraid to sort out some problems with their fists, too, as a deep turn-based combat system is also present within this upcoming CRPG release.
