Okay, so how far can we stretch that mundane clerical gameplay loop Papers, Please pioneered?
How about having you be not another government clerk (though Compensation Not Guaranteed sounds pretty compelling) and be a bouncer instead?
Published by Polish indie publisher Crunching Koalas and developed by Dexai Arts, Techno Banter has you play as Nil, a bouncer at the Green Door, the most popular rave spot in Rainbow Drive.
All you need to do is upholding the strict door policy the club has. And that means having to say no to unscrupulous folks that shouldn’t be allowed entry.
Instead of checking documents you’ll be asking questions via dialogue choices. And there’s plenty of dialogue to be had with the folks in line, banters, if you will.
And the club’s playing techno music, featuring the a soundtrack made in collaboration with Berlin-based DJs so it’s authentic Techno music we’re talking here.
Is that where they get the title Techno Banter? You have to play this narrative RPG to find out.
Also, the world features neon lights, anthropomorphic folks. 2D pixel sprites, and some form of mini-game to simulate beating up people. Not like The Bouncer the beat-’em-up game, but you are a bouncer, after all.
Techno Banter is out now on PS5, PC (Steam, GOG) and Nintendo Switch.