Indie RPG Entropy Sidesteps Open-World Fatigue With Classic Game Design

Indie developer Lovely Hellplace is taking a different approach to open-world design with Entropy, an early-access JRPG that draws inspiration from classic console games rather than modern sprawl.

Lead developer James Wragg told PC Gamer that older games succeeded because they respected players' time. "PS1, PS2, GameCube games really never outstayed their welcome," Wragg explained. He contrasts this with contemporary open-world design, which often leaves players feeling obligated to complete endless tasks before reaching the credits.

Wragg's own experience reflects this shift. He's never finished The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild twice, despite completing all shrines in his first playthrough. Instead, he finds himself replaying The Wind Waker from 2002. Similarly, he increasingly gravitates toward Bloodborne and Sekiro over Elden Ring, despite loving the latter, because the former games demand less time commitment.

The studio already demonstrated this philosophy with 2024's Dread Delusion, an open-world RPG inspired by Morrowind that clocked in at roughly 15-20 hours. Entropy adopts similar principles, aiming to feel expansive without requiring dozens of hours to see the ending.

The game is available as a free demo or $12 early access on Steam. Lovely Hellplace's focus on respecting player time suggests a growing appetite for games that deliver meaningful experiences without padding, as open-world fatigue becomes increasingly common among players juggling large backlogs.