Local developer Witching Hour Studios new RPG is on Kickstarter and it looks fantastic

Who says Singapore can't make great video games? Local game developer Witching Hour Studios has a new RPG in the works and it looks stunning. The Dragon Age-inspired Masquerada: Songs and Shadows is set in a dark Venetian-style fantasy world and blends turn-based tactics with the frenzied action of MOBAs.

Witching Hour Studios has previously found success with the critically-acclaimed mobile games Ravenmark: Scourge of Estellion, Ravenmark: Mercenaries, and Romans In My Carpet. However, Masquerada looks to be its most ambitious title to date. 

The game follows the adventures of Cicero Gavar, an exile who returns to the Venetian-style Citte della Ombre to investigate the mysterious kidnapping of a diplomat, whose wake has left a trail of death. As Cicero investigates further he is plunged deep into the city’s shadows, becoming entangled in a quickly escalating civil war, an invasion of fey creatures, and a conspiracy bigger than anything Cicero and his companions have ever dealt with. In line with its Venetian theme, masks will be central to the game mechanics of Masquerada, and will be tied to its complex magic system.

Players will be able to control Cicero and his four companions, each of which have their own classes. There are three distinct class types: the roguish Sicario, the monolithic Pavisierre, and the bardic Dirge. Each of Cicero’s companions specializes in one of these stances in combination with a specific element, while Cicero himself is able to choose his own element and swap between the stances at will. Combat in Masquerada will be fast-paced and frantic, but with the option to pause the game and issue direct commands if things get overwhelming.

Witching Hour is placing a huge emphasis on the story of Masquerada, enlisting some A-list voice talent to bring the 500-page script to life including Matthew Mercer (Fallout 4), Catherine Taber (Final Fantasy XII), and Jennifer Hale (Mass Effect) among others.

Masquerada is nearly complete and has been making the rounds on the convention circuit, winning last year’s Best Indie Game award from Dengeki PlayStation at Tokyo Game Show’s indie showcase. The game is scheduled to launch later this year on PC, Mac, and PS4 but the studio is hoping to raise £45,000 (~S$87,000) on Kickstarter for a further three months of development to put the finishing touches on the game. The campaign will run until 5th May.

There are several tiers of rewards for backing the game, from a digital copy and your name in the credits, to a signed deluxe collectors editionbox set with USB sticks, figurines and a full-size mask based off of the one Cicero wears in the game!

If you're interested in checking out the game or supporting it, head to Masquerada's Kickstarter page.

Source: Masquerada Kickstarter

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