Harebrained Schemes has released a new story trailer for GRAFT, the studio's upcoming survival horror RPG. This marks a significant step for the developer as it continues work on the project following its split from Paradox Interactive.
Quick Facts
- Genre: Post-cyberpunk survival horror RPG
- Setting: A vast, dying space station known as the Arc
- Key Mechanic: A grafting system that allows players to physically remove pieces from defeated monsters to augment their own body
- Developer: Harebrained Schemes
The World and Combat of the Arc
The game takes place on the Arc, an expansive and decaying space station. Players are tasked with navigating this environment, which features self-replicating labyrinths, techno-catacombs, and deep chasms. The goal is to survive long enough to uncover secrets and find a way to escape.
Combat is described as a visceral take on classic survival horror. Players must contend with ancient feral experiments, strange abominations, and agents controlled by a mad AI. Success in GRAFT requires careful resource management and strategic combat decisions, as the environment is both hostile and treacherous.
The Grafting System and Narrative Choices
The core of the game’s progression involves the titular grafting system. As players defeat foes or discover hidden items within the station, they can rip pieces of these enemies to attach to themselves. These grafts serve as the primary method for expanding a player's arsenal and abilities.
This transformation carries narrative weight. Beyond the mechanical benefits, each graft introduces side effects, including sudden, intrusive memories and shifts in behavior. Players must interpret these fragments and decide how they influence their character, as these choices shape both the journey and the fates of the other survivors encountered on the station.
Social Dynamics
While the player is a survivor, they are not alone. The game features a social component where players can attempt to form alliances with other characters. However, these relationships are characterized as fragile, and the developer notes that any other survivors encountered are likely to be as dangerous as the monsters stalking the station.