Help Will Come Tomorrow

Help Will Come Tomorrow is a survival strategy game set in the aftermath of the 1917 Russian Revolution. Players lead a group of diverse survivors from a derailed Trans-Siberian Railway train who must work together to endure the harsh, frozen wilderness. Managing resources, the characters’ fragile physical and mental states, and their conflicting personalities are key to surviving long enough for help to arrive.

Help Will Come Tomorrow: Review

In the unforgiving Siberian wilderness of 1917, amidst the chaos of the October Revolution, a group of strangers must forge an uneasy alliance to survive. Help Will Come Tomorrow is not just another survival game; it is a poignant exploration of human resilience, ideological conflict, and the fragile hope that binds us together in the face of despair. Developed by Polish studio Arclight Creations and published by Klabater, this title carves out a unique niche by intertwining historical narrative with brutal survival mechanics. While it may not have achieved mainstream recognition, its ambition and thematic depth warrant a closer examination.

Development History & Context

Arclight Creations, a studio with credits on titles like We. The Revolution and Crossroads Inn, embarked on Help Will Come Tomorrow as a passion project, successfully funded through Kickstarter. The game was built using the Unity engine and released on April 21, 2020, for Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One. The development team, led by designers Kamil Szęlagowski and Jan Madejski, aimed to create a survival experience that prioritized narrative and character dynamics over pure resource management.

The gaming landscape in 2020 was saturated with survival titles, from the enduring Don’t Starve to the narrative-driven This War of Mine. Arclight Creations sought to differentiate their game by anchoring it in a specific historical moment—the Bolshevik Revolution—and focusing on the tensions between social classes. This was a bold choice, as it required balancing educational content with engaging gameplay. The studio’s previous work on historically inspired games like We. The Revolution likely informed their approach, allowing them to handle complex themes with nuance.

Technologically, the game faced constraints typical of indie productions. The 2D art style, reminiscent of The Banner Saga, was a practical choice that also served the narrative well, emphasizing character portraits and environmental storytelling over flashy graphics. However, this simplicity may have limited its appeal in a market increasingly dominated by 3D open-world experiences.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Set in the aftermath of a sabotaged Trans-Siberian train crash, Help Will Come Tomorrow follows nine survivors from three social classes: the aristocracy, revolutionaries, and the uncommitted. Each playthrough randomly selects four characters, ensuring variability and replayability. The narrative is driven by their intertwined backstories, revealed through campfire dialogues and exploration events.

The game’s writing is its strongest asset. Characters are not mere archetypes; they are fleshed-out individuals with conflicting ideologies and personal histories. For example, a Bolshevik revolutionary might debate class struggle with an aristocrat, while a neutral party struggles to mediate. These interactions are not just flavor text—they directly impact morale and survival. The dialogue system forces players into moral dilemmas: agreeing with a character may boost group morale but damage the speaker’s integrity, while dissent risks escalating tensions.

Themes of prejudice, cooperation, and desperation are explored with remarkable depth. The title itself, Help Will Come Tomorrow, becomes a cruel irony as days turn into weeks, and hope dwindles. The game does not shy away from the grim realities of its setting, including references to historical events like the abdication of Nicholas II and the rise of Bolshevism. This historical context elevates the narrative beyond mere survival, offering a microcosm of the societal fractures that defined the era.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

At its core, Help Will Come Tomorrow is a survival strategy game divided into three phases: camp management, exploration, and campfire dialogues. Each day, characters have three action points to spend on tasks like building shelters, crafting tools, or treating injuries. Resources are scarce, and priorities must be carefully balanced—a low fire might avoid attracting bandits but increase the risk of hypothermia.

The class relations system is the game’s most innovative feature. Characters from opposing classes may refuse to work together or suffer morale penalties when forced to collaborate. For instance, an aristocrat building a shelter with a revolutionary could lead to heated arguments, affecting overall cohesion. This adds a layer of strategic depth, as players must assign tasks based on compatibility rather than efficiency.

Exploration is high-risk, high-reward. Parties sent to scavenge for resources may encounter dynamic events, such as animal attacks or hostile rebels, which can result in character death or valuable loot. The randomness of these events, however, drew criticism for being overly punitive. As noted by critics, success often feels dependent on luck rather than skill, leading to frustration.

The campfire phase is where the narrative shines. Players select conversation topics, triggering dialogues that reveal character backstories and unlock new traits or missions. These interactions are crucial for maintaining morale, which if depleted, results in game over. The system is nuanced, but the controls—especially on consoles—can be clunky, complicating an otherwise immersive experience.

World-Building, Art & Sound

The game’s visual style is a blend of hand-drawn character portraits and static environments, evoking the bleak beauty of Siberia. The art direction, led by Wioletta Maleszyk, effectively conveys the harshness of the setting—snow-covered landscapes, dilapidated camps, and the ever-present threat of frostbite. However, the 2D perspective limits environmental diversity, leading to a sense of repetition over time.

Sound design is minimalist but effective. Marcin Pukaluk’s soundtrack features somber, atmospheric tracks that underscore the desperation of the survivors. The main menu music, composed by Zofia Domaradzka, sets a haunting tone that resonates throughout the experience. While there are no voiceovers, the written dialogue is strong enough to carry the emotional weight.

The world-building is deeply tied to historical authenticity. From the references to the Trans-Siberian Railway to the depiction of pre-Bolshevik Russia, the game immerses players in a specific time and place. This attention to detail extends to the wildlife, weather systems, and even the political discourse, creating a cohesive and believable setting.

Reception & Legacy

Upon release, Help Will Come Tomorrow received mixed reviews from critics, with an average score of 62% on MobyGames based on four ratings. Praise was directed at its narrative depth and unique setting, while criticism focused on its steep learning curve, repetitive gameplay, and overreliance on RNG. The Steam version fared better, earning a “Very Positive” rating from players, who appreciated its thematic ambition and emotional impact.

Commercially, the game flew under the radar, overshadowed by larger titles released in 2020. However, it developed a cult following among fans of narrative-driven survival games. Its legacy lies in its willingness to tackle complex historical themes and its innovative class relations system, which influenced later titles like The Oregon Trail (2021) and Frostpunk 2.

The game’s impact on the industry is subtle but significant. It demonstrated that survival games could be vehicles for historical education and character study, paving the way for more experimental indie titles. While not a genre revolution, it remains a noteworthy entry for those seeking a thoughtful, challenging experience.

Conclusion

Help Will Come Tomorrow is a flawed gem—a game that excels in narrative ambition but stumbles in execution. Its portrayal of ideological conflict and human desperation is poignant and thought-provoking, supported by strong writing and a compelling historical setting. However, its punishing RNG, repetitive mechanics, and clunky controls may deter all but the most dedicated players.

For history enthusiasts and fans of narrative-driven survival, it offers a unique and emotionally resonant experience. For others, it may prove too arduous to fully appreciate. In the pantheon of survival games, it may not reach the heights of The Long Dark or This War of Mine, but it deserves recognition for its bold vision and thematic depth. Ultimately, Help Will Come Tomorrow is a testament to the power of storytelling in games, even when the mechanics falter.