Distant Future is an action-adventure indie RPG set in a futuristic setting where personal aspirations drive society. Players take on the role of Nova, a 15-year-old resident of Mars, and navigate an interplanetary tournament called Pure while making decisions that influence both the character's path and broader themes of success and growth.
Gameplay
The core loop combines exploration across multiple planets with combat and narrative choices. Nova travels between distinct locations on Mars, the space-city HUB, and Earth, each featuring unique cultural and environmental details that reflect local histories and ambitions. Combat occurs within Pure, a card-collecting shoot-'em-up system where players construct decks of abilities and experiment with combinations to overcome opponents. These opponents are designed with individualized behaviors and motivations, creating encounters that mirror varied player approaches rather than fixed AI patterns. Deck building emphasizes discovering synergies, and the in-universe publisher continuously adjusts Pure's balance, which affects available cards and strategies over time. Story progression involves interactions with characters who carry personal accomplishments alongside unresolved challenges, with player selections altering Nova's development and perspective on competition.
Game Modes
The primary focus centers on the Pure tournament, which serves as the central competitive framework. This mode integrates card collection and real-time shooting elements, where deck construction directly impacts performance against diverse opponents. Exploration and choice-driven sequences tie into the tournament structure, allowing progression through the three main worlds while Pure itself receives ongoing adjustments to its rules and content. No additional named modes appear in current development details, with emphasis placed on the integrated experience of story advancement and Pure participation.
Story and Setting
The narrative examines the consequences of choices made during Nova's journey through the tournament. Three worlds provide the backdrop: the autumn-hued cities of terraformed Mars, the energetic and stylish HUB space-city, and the rapidly shifting environments of Earth. Characters encountered along the way bring depth through their own records of success and personal struggles, encouraging reflection on what constitutes victory. The overall tale positions the aftermath of decisions as a central element, with outcomes intended to leave a lasting impression regardless of the path taken.
Development and Current State
Development began as a solo project by Cdodge around 2020 and has since expanded to a small team of four working in their spare time without dedicated funding. Earlier builds supplied placeholder visuals for the Steam page, with plans to incorporate more detailed illustrations for key story moments. The immediate priority is completing a free demo that covers the prologue, a selection of Pure cards for experimentation, an open starting area on Mars, and a space for testing balance changes. Progress depends on potential financing or crowdfunding steps before release.
Is It Worth Playing?
Distant Future targets players who enjoy story-focused action-adventure experiences blended with card-based combat systems. The emphasis on meaningful choices, character interactions, and an evolving tournament format suits those interested in single-player narratives that explore themes of aspiration and personal growth. With development ongoing and a planned free demo on the horizon, interested players can follow updates through official channels and wishlist the title to stay informed. The hybrid gameplay of deck building within a shoot-'em-up context offers a distinct approach compared to standard RPGs, making it a consideration for fans of indie titles that merge exploration, combat customization, and reflective storytelling.
