For a Vast Future

For a Vast Future is a turn-based, 2D scrolling RPG with a Game Boy-inspired aesthetic, set in a cyberpunk/dark sci-fi world. Developed by Retreaux Games, the game blends classic handheld RPG mechanics with modern influences, drawing inspiration from Final Fantasy Legend, SaGa, Fallout, and Pokémon. Players navigate a dystopian future using direct controls and menu structures, navigating a world that combines retro visuals with futuristic themes.

For a Vast Future: Review

Introduction

In an era dominated by sprawling, 100-hour RPG epics, For a Vast Future emerges as a deliberate act of rebellion—a compact, dystopian odyssey that shrinks the genre to its essence. Developed by Retreaux Games and released in 2022, this homage to Game Boy Color aesthetics defies modern bloat, delivering a 6–8 hour journey through war-torn ruins and conspiracies. Its legacy lies in its unwavering commitment to retro purity: a 4-color palette, chiptune melodies, and mechanics that echo Final Fantasy Legend and Earthbound. Yet beneath its pixelated exterior lies a game of surprising depth, where scarcity, strategy, and identity intertwine. This review deconstructs Retreaux Games’ ambitious fusion of nostalgia and innovation, arguing that For a Vast Future is not merely a love letter to the past but a microcosm of RPG evolution—a flawed yet vital meditation on survival in a broken world.

Development History & Context

For a Vast Future began life as a two-man project in 2020 before expanding to a four-person core team at Retreaux Games, an offshoot of Something Classic (creators of Shadows of Adam). Led by Andy and programmer Josh (who previously contributed to Shadows of Adam), the studio sought to distill the essence of handheld RPGs from the 90s. Their vision was unapologetically retro: emulate the Game Boy Color’s four-color limitations while infusing modern refinements. The GameMaker engine enabled this ambition, allowing the team to focus on design over technical hurdles—a pragmatic choice given their indie scale.

The game arrived during a renaissance for short-form RPGs. As Persona and Xenoblade ballooned to 50+ hours, titles like Carrion and Tunic proved that brevity could yield artistic impact. For a Vast Future entered this landscape with a clear identity: a replayable RPG where stat customization and resource scarcity redefined progression. Its November 2022 Steam release was met with enthusiasm, later ported to Nintendo Switch (May 2023) via RedDeerGames. This expansion exposed the title to handheld purists, solidifying its niche as a “snack-sized” RPG for those wary of commitment.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Set in Seralia, a nation scarred by decades of war with the now-annihilated Tomello, For a Vast Future explores trauma through the lens of a scavenger-turned-conspirator. The protagonist, Chel, is a 16-year-old orphan from Hogtowne whose initial goal—selling a discovered robot named Darris for profit—sets her on a cross-country odyssey. The narrative unfolds through sparse dialogue and environmental storytelling, revealing how Seralia’s leaders covered up their use of nuclear weapons (“The Silence”), leaving hinterlands in ruin.

The plot’s strength lies in its thematic resonance. The “missing generation” symbolizes lost futures, while Darris—the amnesiac cyborg grappling with his programmed nature—embodies the struggle for identity in a rebuilt society. Companions like Tarnstrom (a guilt-ridden veteran) and Penton (a cultist with shifting loyalties) deepen this exploration, though their arcs often feel abrupt. Chel’s evolution from opportunistic to reluctant leader is compelling, marred only by dialogue that swings between terse banter and lore-heavy monologues. Ultimately, the game’s dystopia serves as a mirror for real-world war trauma, where rebuilding requires confronting buried truths.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

For a Vast Future’s core innovation is its Ammo System. Bullets function as both currency and attacks, with enemies dropping basic post-battle. These can be refined into elemental (fire, ice), status, or piercing variants at save points. This shared resource pool demands tactical choices: waste rare explosives on fodder, or hoard them for bosses? The system echoes Pokémon’s type matchups but adds urgency through scarcity—a mechanic amplified by the “Wargear” crafting system. Using scrap (metal, plastic, energy), players create items that debuff enemies (e.g., oil + fire bullets) or exploit weaknesses.

Character progression is uniquely flexible. Level-ups only grant health, while Skill Points (SP) earned per battle fuel stat growth across dexterity, marksmanship, armor, luck, and evasion. Players reallocate SP anytime, enabling on-the-fly builds. Yet this freedom backfires: SP abundance lets players max all stats by game’s end, homogenizing characters. Weapon upgrades—six per character found in the world—offer alternatives (e.g., 100% accuracy or piercing bullets), but late-game overlap negates early specialization.

Combat’s Active-Time Turn-Based system adds pace, though the lack of sound effects undermines impact. Exploration is streamlined—visible enemies allow avoidance, and a motorcycle unlocks fast travel—but dungeons suffer from repetitive layouts and minimal puzzles. The result is a game of highs (strategic ammo management) and lows (resource scarcity leading to frustration).

World-Building, Art & Sound

Seralia is a character in itself—a post-war hellscape where rusted mechs coexist with cultist shrines. The world-building leans into environmental storytelling: overgrown bunkers, propaganda murals, and silent towns hint at the Silence’s aftermath. Yet lore is often dumped via text blocks, missing opportunities for immersive discovery.

The visual direction is the game’s triumph. Embracing a strict 4-color palette, For a Vast Future evokes Game Boy Color nostalgia with pixelated charm. Palettes (sepia, monochrome, classic green) let players customize the aesthetic, though enemies occasionally blend into backgrounds. Character sprites and portraits are expressive, with boss designs standing out.

Sound design is uneven. The chiptune soundtrack—synth-driven tracks for dungeons and towns—captures the retro vibe but lacks memorability. Combat sound effects are glaringly absent, robbing actions of weight. This silence makes battles feel sterile, a stark contrast to the game’s otherwise vibrant audio landscape.

Reception & Legacy

For a Vast Future debuted to a warm reception. Steam’s 96% positive rating (32 reviews) praised its combat and brevity, while critics lauded its art and customization. RPGamer awarded it 60/100, noting “interesting combat ideas” tempered by “unearned character shifts.” WayTooManyGames scored it 5.0/10, criticizing resource management, while Substack’s Bassicfun hailed it as a “delightful” short RPG.

Over time, its reputation solidified as a niche gem. The Ammo System influenced indie devs to rethink resource scarcity, while its success on Switch highlighted handheld-style RPGs’ enduring appeal. Critics now view it as a bridge between retro revival and modern experimentation—flawed but foundational for shorter, mechanically driven RPGs.

Conclusion

For a Vast Future is a paradox: a nostalgic relic that feels refreshingly modern. Its Ammo System and customization mechanics innovate within classic frameworks, while its dystopian narrative offers poignant commentary on war’s aftermath. Yet its flaws—underdeveloped characters, uneven sound, and homogenized late-game builds—prevent it from reaching greatness. As a historian, I admire its unapologetic retro vision and brevity, virtues often lost in today’s glut of RPGs. For players seeking a distilled journey—one where bullets, not bloated stories, define survival—this is a vast future worth exploring. While not a masterpiece, it is a vital artifact, proving that the past’s lessons can shape the genre’s future.

Verdict: A flawed, fascinating dive into retro RPGs, essential for genre enthusiasts and newcomers alike.