Starting the demo when the first vocal track came on I was surprised, it felt so fresh. PR: I’m glad that we both have an appreciation for Squall, he gets a bad rap! Another striking aspect of the She Dreams Elsewhere is its use of music, from licensed vocal tracks to composed background music. I’ve also been using the RPG Maker game engine since I was in fifth grade, so by the time She Dreams Elsewhere rolled around, it was a natural fit and I was able to hit the ground running from the moment I started development. The heavy focus on narrative and character, abstraction of gameplay, banger soundtracks, and being able to freely explore while also taking your time doing so really drew me to RPGs, so I’ve been deeply into them my whole life. What drew you to the JRPG genre to tell this story?ĭG: I’ve always loved RPGs since I was a kid - my first one being the original Kingdom Hearts, which then led me to play Final Fantasy VIII because Squall was in it, and the rest was history. For me though, I think there’s a unique feeling seeing these tropes presented through Black characters’ experiences, communities, and aesthetics. PR: It’s clear that the game draws inspiration from JRPGs like Final Fantasy and Persona. I’ve also just vibed well with more intimate, personal stories too - for me, they’re just that much more interesting to write and play around with. So instead of a strong chosen hero, you’re just playing as an average millennial sadgirl who’s just trying her best… which I think is pretty relevant in these times. I wanted to do something different, much more smaller-scale. In a lot of RPGs - or video games in general, really - you find yourself playing as some “chosen hero” or “warrior with a dark and tragic past” and whatnot. What was the inspiration behind her character and her story?ĭavionne Gooden : Thalia definitely takes a lot of influence from myself and close friends of mine. Phillip Russell: In She Dreams Elsewhere we take on the role of Thalia. I talked with him to learn more about the game’s inception, inspiratations, and more. But perhaps the most notable aspect of the game is that it’s being developed by one person, Davionne Gooden. She Dreams Elsewhere mixes hip-hop and R&B music, a classic 16-bit JRPG aesthetic, and a battle system akin to the likes of Persona to tell its story. Through surreal, dream-like locations you’ll explore Thalia’s mind in hopes of setting her free from her endless slumber. The game casts you as a comatose woman named Thalia who is dealing with crippling anxiety and depression. The studio aims to tell stylish, culturally-relevant, and emotionally-rich stories from new perspectives with a voice that’s all its own – so come inside, make yourself comfy, and enjoy your stay.She Dreams Elsewhere has quickly jumped to the top of my most-anticipated game list since playing its demo during the Game Developers of Color Expo a few weekends ago. She Dreams Elsewhere is the studio’s debut video game project and is set to launch in early 2021. The game is a personal narrative that deals with themes such as mental health and self-identity through strategic turn-based combat, mind-bending levels, and a surreal, visually-striking world to explore. Unfortunately, some nightmares are harder to confront than others. Players will explore the surreal world as Thalia, an anxiety-ridden, comatose woman who plunged into her dreams and must confront her inner nightmares to finally wake up. She Dreams Elsewhere is a surreal adventure RPG that explores dreams and the extent to which they can mirror reality. Studio Zevere is aone-man indie game development and film studio based in Cleveland, Ohio. The current release window is set for early next year. The game will launch on the platform alongside Steam and Xbox (including Xbox Game Pass). During Nintendo’s Indie World Showcase on Tuesday morning, Studio Zevere, announced that the much-anticipated game She Dreams Elsewhere will be coming to Nintendo Switch on day one.