Out on Steam: Westminster Darkly


To those initiated to the works of one of the best science fiction authors of all time, the name of this game will be more than familiar. Apart from the title, Westminster Darkly from Studio Incorrect shares more elements with the works of Philip K. Dick. First of all, its setting is taken straight from a dystopian sci-fi novel - a huge solar storm and the subsequent EMP shockwave marked the end of the Age of Electricity on Earth. In the UK, more precisely the district of Westminster, the same cataclysmic event turned back the clock and brought about a new age of danger, desperation, and survival. 
Clearly, the setup of the game is serious and so are its core mechanics - the game is a blend of a turn-based strategy and a role-playing game. It's built on the neighborhood management process where the player’s territory needs to be maintained and secured. From there, the game adds special events and exploration of its surroundings, as well as tactical battles. Here, in a turn-based environment, the players will be able to use individual urban fighters in small teams against other factions.

When it comes to the visuals of the game, it uses assets an indie team like that of Studio Incorrect had at its disposal. Yet, even though modest production costs, the game offers a recognizable style that is reminiscent of RPG classics from the late 1990s early 2000s, including the first two Fallout games.
Lastly, as it is worthy of any work that looks up to Philip K. Dick, there is an interesting layer of sarcasm and criticism of the modern world, especially of the UK, all seamlessly embedded in the game. Westminster Darkly labels itself as a work of “realistic fiction” which is why it includes elements like street thugs, stabbing attacks, grooming gangs and other equally unpleasant elements of the real modern English experience.

If you’re into indie strategies and RPGs, you need to check out this title. Besides a smart blend of gameplay mechanics, Westminister Darkly also offers a strong narrative and even some social criticism, all bundled up into a single engaging video game.