Being an insect has never been so much fun!
When you spot a beetle scurrying across your home, do you lose your cool and reach for a fly swatter, a broom, or even fantasize about using a flamethrower to rid yourself of the intruder? If so, the game we’re about to introduce might not be your cup of tea. But if you’re indifferent to these tiny creatures, or even find them oddly fascinating, then we’ve found an adventure game perfectly suited to your tastes.
Whether you’re a devoted admirer of insects, someone who doesn’t mind sharing space with them, or even a self-proclaimed bug skeptic, the fact that you’ve made it this far hints at a spark of curiosity. And with good reason. Let us introduce you to Gloomveil, the enchanting debut title from the two-person indie studio, Ricotoni Games.
Set in a magical, floral kingdom brimming with lush shrubbery, vibrant vegetation blanketing the land, and a rich variety of wildlife, Gloomveil is a captivating action-adventure for one or two players that reveals just how fascinating life as an insect can truly be. The game invites you to step into the shoes of a daring little beetle, whose boundless curiosity and thirst for adventure lead them on a journey through this dreamlike forest, where hidden mysteries and untold wonders await around every corner.
Yet, don’t be deceived by the apparent charm of this enchanted world. Once a thriving sanctuary brimming with rich biodiversity, the kingdom you now find yourself in is but a faint shadow of its former self. The once-vibrant insect species that roamed the land beneath the sun’s warm have nearly all disappeared. The few creatures that remain are territorial, hostile, and disdainful of intruders. Preferring darkness to daylight, they retreat into the shadows, emerging only at twilight to ambush any adventurer unfortunate enough to cross their path, dragging them into the growing darkness.
As a bold explorer—and, at least seemingly, the protagonist of this tale—your quest is to navigate this ancient, forsaken land, uncover its secrets, and investigate the cause of its irreversible decline. Intrigued? Ready to plunge into the mysterious and hidden kingdom of Gloomveil? Join us on this insect-themed odyssey and uncover the wonders—and dangers—that await.
Protagonist or mere Bystander?
We’d love to tell you that you are the undisputed protagonist of this magical and enchanted forest tale, but the reality is a bit different. To be clear, this doesn’t mean that, as players, your role won’t be of paramount importance—quite the opposite, in fact. However, in terms of how the game has been conceived, designed, and structured, the character you embody is but a small, albeit significant, part of a much larger whole. So, what, you may ask, is the true protagonist of Ricotoni Games’ creation? The game world itself—the beating heart and driving force behind Gloomveil.
Let us be perfectly clear: this is not to suggest—let alone claim—that your role as the player is insignificant or irrelevant. On the contrary, the character you embody holds an essential place within the story. However, it represents but a small, almost imperceptible fragment of a far grander puzzle. What does this mean? In the vast and enigmatic realm of Gloomveil, immutable laws govern existence—forces that elude your comprehension and lie far beyond your control. These are powers far greater than you, shaping the natural order and the very essence of reality—forces that mere mortals cannot hope to defy or transcend.
So, where do you fit into this grand scheme? Your role, as an integral and active participant in this intricate narrative and its vast, interconnected ecosystem, is to embrace your place within it: endure, adapt, and uncover the hidden truths of this enigmatic, labyrinthine world. A world that veils far darker mysteries beneath its beguiling facade—secrets that reach far beyond the bounds of your imagination.
When the Game World becomes both protagonist and narrator of its own story
We admit we’ve been somewhat elusive so far, but rest assured—it’s time to dive straight into the heart of the matter. Let’s begin by shedding light on the pivotal role the game world plays in this title and the captivating vision its developers have carefully crafted.
At the core of this vision lies a daring creative decision: to place the setting at the very center of the experience—not as a passive backdrop to the player’s journey, but as a dynamic, self-sustaining, and living entity. In this world, the environment itself takes on the role of the true protagonist, with every element—from its narrative framework to exploration mechanics, and the very fabric of its world-building—meticulously designed to elevate the environment’s role, shifting the focus away from individual characters and toward the intricate ecosystem in which they exist.
The developers’ ultimate goal—and one we eagerly anticipate experiencing—is a world that moves beyond its traditional function as a mere stage or container for more significant elements. Instead, it evolves into a storyteller in its own right, giving voice to its narrative and assuming the role of the true protagonist in the events that unfold within it.
A world unlike any other, governed by its own set of laws. By day, it flows with a predictable rhythm, but as night falls, everything shifts—almost as if by magic—upending the very fabric of reality. In this merciless world, there is no room for weakness; it will swallow you whole if you fail to adapt, to understand its rhythms, and to coexist with the creatures that thrive within it. To survive, you must quickly learn its rules, uncover its hidden corners, and unlock its ancient secrets, using them to your advantage. But how can you succeed in such a daunting task? By mastering one of the most vital skills required of any brave soul who dares to enter this realm: a deep understanding of orientation and the art of exploration.
And what about you? What role will you play in this ever-changing world? Who are you, and—most importantly—what is your purpose in this strange, enigmatic realm?
A Tiny Insect, A Grand Adventure
Although, up until now, we’ve primarily focused on the realm where you will explore, interact, and coexist, rather than the character you will embody, this does not mean that your role in the game is secondary. On the contrary—depending on your choices—you will have the opportunity to write your own chapter in the story of Gloomveil, one that could be beautiful or tragic.
So, what creature, what insect, will you become? It is a tiny, seemingly innocent beetle, belonging to the Scarabaeidae family. From the material provided by the developers, it appears to be the Megasoma elephas. However, before drawing any conclusions, we await confirmation or denial from the developers.
A small, adventurous traveler, equipped with a sword, a backpack, a lantern, and a tiny sack in which to rest during the night, has ventured deep into the lush, enigmatic forest world of Gloomveil. Driven by a thirst for discovery, they seek to uncover the world around them. However, this humble creature remains unaware of the far greater and more urgent mission that awaits: to investigate the source of the affliction steadily consuming the realm and, in its modest way, strive to restore it to its former glory.
Easier said than done, right? Well, not quite. As an extremely small insect at the bottom of the food chain, surviving the night and fulfilling your ambitious mission won’t be that simple—especially when much larger, more ravenous, and dangerous predators are roaming out there.
This is why, when your tiny sword proves ineffective, you’ll need to make the most of your greatest asset: the knowledge of your surroundings. Your mastery of orientation and exploration, the key to survival, will allow you to avoid brute force and navigate the wilds with cunning.
Understanding the land, its secrets, and every minute detail of its terrain—such as how the other creatures move within it—is essential for survival and discovery. This principle lies at the very heart of the game’s core philosophy, which revolves around a fundamental component: exploration. To master it fully, you must embrace exploration not merely as a means of traveling from point A to point B, but as the very essence of the experience itself.
Only by grasping this, by adopting this mindset and approach, will you have any hope of surviving the world—of avoiding becoming prey—and, instead, becoming a skilled navigator of it.
A Free, Customizable, and Distraction-Proof Experience
Despite the game still being in its early stages of development, with major details about its gameplay structure yet to be unveiled, the promotional material released by the developers thus far reveals three key pillars that will shape the adventure: freedom, extensive customization, and a commitment to delivering a distraction-free experience.
As mentioned earlier, players will have the flexibility to engage in the adventure either solo or in local cooperative mode, based on their preference. The game will feature a fully three-dimensional, top-down perspective, carefully designed to provide an immersive and engaging exploration experience, while granting players full control over their surroundings—enabling seamless navigation both vertically and horizontally.
At the heart of the experience is a strong focus on customization and freedom, not only in controls and gameplay style, which players can tailor to their preferences, but also in the decisions they make—whether subtle or game-changing— that will shape their journey and ultimately influence the game’s outcome.
These decisions are fully in the hands of the players, who are free to act at any moment, as long as the choices align with their individual playstyle. The spectrum of decisions is vast, ranging from simple acts of kindness, such as offering aid to fellow insects in need or engaging in optional dialogues, to more complex and impactful moments, such as drawing a sword in a moment of haste or fear to defend oneself or confront an enemy.
However, players should remain mindful that every action, no matter how small, can have unforeseen consequences—a ripple effect capable of subtly shifting both their own fate and the world around them. As such, the recommendation is to cultivate as many alliances as possible and, when possible, avoid drawing the sword and resorting to combat unless it’s truly necessary.
Lastly, and by no means least, another pivotal aspect shaping the gameplay experience is the intention to deliver a clean, visually streamlined experience, free from distractions that could detract from the core objective: guiding the player’s tiny insect alter ego. This will be accomplished through a minimalist, elegant UI, carefully designed to eliminate unnecessary indicators that might pull the player’s focus away from their true mission.
Will the developers succeed in seamlessly integrating these three elements into a cohesive, immersive, and engaging gameplay experience? Only time will provide the definitive answer.
To give you a clearer sense of what to expect, here is an overview of the key gameplay features that encapsulate the full experience:
- Local Co-op: Play with friends in local cooperative mode.
- Vertical and Horizontal Exploration: Navigate through a world designed for both vertical and horizontal exploration.
- Dynamic Day-Night Cycle: Experience a day-night cycle with events that change based on the time of day.
- Flexible Playstyles: Complete the game using any playstyle—every approach is viable.
- Accessible Controls: Play with one hand, using keyboard-only, mouse-only, or either side of the gamepad.
- Offer Help to Creatures: Lend a helping hand to creatures you encounter along the way.
- Environmental Storytelling: Immerse yourself in a world where the environment tells its own story.
- Optional Dialogues: Engage in dialogues only if you choose—perfect for players who prefer action over conversation.
- Minimal UI: Enjoy a clean, immersive experience with minimal UI and no distracting indicators.
Development Progress, Release Plans, and the Project’s Future Outlook
Unfortunately, Gloomveil does not yet have a confirmed release date. Although the game has been officially announced for PC via Steam, the developers may consider console releases, contingent on the level of support the project receives. As the game is still in the early stages of development, it will take time before a concrete release timeline can be set.
Naturally, it will take more time—and additional insights from Ricotoni Games—before we can fully assess the game’s potential and form a comprehensive evaluation. That said, the glimpses we’ve seen so far are promising, leaving us hopeful and optimistic about the direction the two developers are taking with their project.
For further updates and news, be sure to follow us and visit the developers’ X page for the latest announcements and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
That’s all for now. Until next time!
