The world may be over, but protagonist Nikos hears about a rocket heading to potential salvation on Mars and resolves to sneak aboard. Players traverse the region of War Zone, gaining new allies en route to Alphaville. There’s a road trip feel as players collect items and tune into the radio to learn more about the world’s state.

Nikos and crew still face plenty of danger and enter into turn-based combat to fight off insurgents, Alphavillians and other threats (like bears). Alongside commanding party members, you can also interact with the environment, pushing shopping carts into enemies and taking cover.

For more details on Highwater, check out our interview with creative director and Demagog Studio CEO Igor Simic.

"This is a story of friendship, a road trip, a fictional immigrant tale, a sci-fi dystopia, and a kind of situation comedy."

Highwater has been available on mobile devices for nearly a year. Was it always the plan to eventually bring the game to more platforms, or was it something that came about following its initial release?

Originally, the game was made for PC primarily. When we were past the demo phase, the Netflix offer happened. We hoped to release Highwater simultaneously on Netflix, PC and consoles, but that didn’t happen for various reasons.

Highwater boasts a very unique and distinctive art style. How did you land on this aesthetic for the game?

The vivid bluish color palette, the fog, and melancholy atmosphere were already introduced in our other games that are set in the aftermath of this fictional ecological catastrophe. The low-poly characters were both an aesthetic and practical solution to the general scope of missions, number of friends in the crew and NPCs in a relatively short development period. Kentucky Route Zero was partly the inspiration behind this look that has a bit of minimalist, moody, theater feel.

Highwater’s dystopian post-apocalyptic setting is one of its most intriguing elements. Can you tell us more about what kind of a story the game tells within that setting and the themes it tackles?

A week before the elites of Alphaville depart for Mars, a group of friends living in a flood zone decide to go on a precarious journey in hopes of sneaking onto the Mars-bound rocket. This is a story of friendship, a road trip, a fictional immigrant tale, a sci-fi dystopia, and a kind of situation comedy. The goal was to make a bittersweet comedy about the apocalypse, to turn the general trope of mainstream apocalyptic entertainment on its head. The setting combines two main influences: Central European modernism (most notably brutalism in Former Yugoslavia) and Silicon Valley singularity-meets-space utopianism exemplified in a mix of Apple HQ architecture, SpaceX, NASA, Buckminster Fuller, and Metropolis. These cityscapes are either steeped in or surrounded by water, which is a cross between the stark images of recent floods globally and Lake Geneva.

"The exploration serves several goals: narrative, finding loot or collectables, and listening to the in-game radio."

How much emphasis does the game place on exploration? How does the experience on that front differ when players are in their boat as opposed to when they’re on land?

The exploration serves several goals: narrative, finding loot or collectables, and listening to the in-game radio. This part of the game connects the “islands” where combat and key story moments take place and has a predominantly chill vibe. Conversely, situations on land mostly lead to conflict with Alphavillians, Insurgents, or other civilians trying to get by in the flood.

Hightower’s turn-based tactical combat is another one of its eye-catching elements, in particular thanks to how it focuses on environmental interaction. Can you talk more about that, and how it sets apart the game’s combat from other turn-based tactics titles?

Our idea was to start with combat that is a bit like a slapstick puzzle: the player pushes or throws found items, breaks tiles with a falling light pole, pushes shopping carts, stuns enemies with a flashlight. We hope this is a fresh take on the turn-based genre. Gradually, as we get closer to Alphaville, enemies grow in number and the combats become more serious, including range weapons, hacking, potions, etc.

With Highwater making the jump from mobile devices to PC and consoles, what sort of changes or enhancements should players expect from the game, whether in terms of visuals, controls, or the content?

Since the game was always envisioned primarily for PC and consoles, it will actually look and perform as it’s supposed to. A lot of elements were polished and two large DLCs will be available at launch.

"Since the game was always envisioned primarily for PC and consoles, it will actually look and perform as it’s supposed to. A lot of elements were polished and two large DLCs will be available at launch."

Roughly how long is an average playthrough of Highwater?

The main story probably takes an experienced player around six hours, and the two additional DLCs add up to a total of eight hours.

Highwater revolves around protagonist Nikos, who kicks off his journey as the world around him becomes more inhospitable to humans, and rumours of the potential of humanity escaping to Mars are swirling around. Throughout his journey to Hightower, Nikos will make new friends, fight insurgents, and ultimately aim to sneak into the rocket before it launches.

The game’s combat system is one of its key features, with the developer emphasizing its tactical and puzzle-centric approach to fights. Players will have the ability to interact with the world around them in a fight. For example, players can push shopping carts into enemies, or knock down a tree on them.

Highwater is slated for release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Set in the same universe as Golf Club: Wasteland, Highwater focuses on Nikos, who learns about the super-wealthy taking a spaceship and abandoning the planet for Mars. He decides to venture to Alphaville and sneak aboard the ship to survive.

The world is flooded due to The Great Climate Catastrophe, and players must venture to various islands by boat. Different characters can join and help in grid-based battles.

Highwater will launch for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PS4, PC and Nintendo Switch. with pre-orders now available. It’s available to pre-order now. Stay tuned for more details, gameplay and a concrete release date in the coming days.

Ravenlok

Cococucumber’s Ravenlok is the third title in its Voxel Trilogy – an action RPG set in a fantasy world reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland. You’ll explore various realms, battle different monsters and bosses, complete quests, and discover new weapons and skills, all to defeat the Caterpillar Queen. It sounds straightforward but thus far, the visuals and gameplay look pretty compelling. Ravenlok is out in 2023 for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC along with Xbox Game Pass.

There are two dry regions though – the War Zone and Alphaville, the latter being a haven for the super-rich. After hearing rumors about being able to escape to Mars, Nikos sets forth and will try to sneak aboard the escaping rocket. As you navigate by boat to different islands, you’ll recruit allies to your cause and hopefully survive the trip.

Combat is turn-based with a grid-based system and environmental interaction for besting foes. Along the way, players can tune into Highwater Pirate Radio for commentary and music. Stay tuned for more details on the title in the coming months.