Developer: Dionysus Acroreites
Publisher: Catoptric Games
Grab the game here
“A Fun Comedic RPG”
About The Game
Minimalistic Skyrim + West of Loathing + Supraland. An RPG-lite adventure with intentionally twisted traditional role-playing games aspects, where your choices do matter.
About the Team
Dionysus Acroreites is the solo developer behind The RPG, handling everything from concept to execution as an indie creator. From what I’ve gathered, this is their passion project, blending humor and clever twists on classic RPG tropes. They’re published by Catoptric Games, a small indie publisher that focuses on cozy, story-driven titles from fresh talents. Catoptric seems to champion unique voices in gaming, partnering with devs to bring out creative gems like this one. It’s refreshing to see a one-person army tackle something ambitious, especially when it draws inspiration from bigger hits while keeping things light-hearted.
Introduction
The RPG hit Steam on August 7, 2025, and it’s exactly what the name suggests its a cheeky take on the fantasy RPG genre that flips expectations on their head. You’re dropped onto Adventure Island, where dungeon crawling is basically a tourist attraction. Buy a ticket, hop in an elevator, pick your floor, and go raiding for loot. But things get weird fast with glitching dragons and hidden secrets that mess with the whole setup. Priced affordably, it’s got Very Positive reviews on Steam with 85% approval from over 370 players so far. I dove in expecting laughs and light exploration, and it delivered, though not without some rough edges.
Story
The narrative is where The RPG shines with its satirical edge. You’re an aspiring adventurer stuck on this seemingly perfect island run by a “Cool King” who’s hiding some shady secrets. Dungeons are maintained like theme parks, workers keep traps oiled, torches lit, and monsters respawned after every raid. The main antagonist is a Glitchy Dragon who’s breaking the game’s rules, glitching out, and recruiting you for his chaotic plan. Choices actually matter here; you can uncover gritty lower floor secrets that flip the storyline upside down, or just grind for loot without digging deeper. the game is full of light hearted humour as the player you heal by jamming bread into wounds, sell loot by the pound instead of haggling. Monsters are fed up with their endless respawn cycle, adding a meta layer that’s both funny and thoughtful. No fishing mini-games, thank goodness, but plenty of exploration and branching paths. It’s not epic like Skyrim, but the twists kept me hooked for about 10-15 hours.
Graphics
Visually, The RPG goes for a stylized, minimalistic 3D look that’s charming in its simplicity. Think low poly environments with vibrant fantasy vibes lush islands, dimly lit dungeons, and quirky character models, Skyrim’s open-world feel, but dialled back to avoid overwhelming detail. The glitching effects on the dragon and certain elements add a cool, broken reality aesthetic that fits the theme perfectly. It’s not photorealistic by any means, and some areas can feel a bit empty or repetitive, but the art direction nails the humorous tone. Runs smooth on mid-range hardware.
Sound
The audio side is solid but understated, which suits the indie scope. Ambient sounds in the dungeons like echoing footsteps, trap clicks, and monster grunts build tension without overdoing it. Combat has satisfying thwacks and whooshes, and the glitchy dragon’s voice lines are hilariously distorted, adding to the meta humour. The soundtrack is a mix of whimsical fantasy tunes with chiptune influences, looping nicely during exploration but ramping up for boss fights. No big orchestral swells, but it’s effective and doesn’t grate after hours of play. Voice acting is minimal, mostly text-based with some narrated bits, which keeps things light. Overall, it complements the gameplay without stealing the show think functional and fitting, like in West of Loathing.
Conclusion
The RPG is a delightful indie surprise that pokes fun at the genre while delivering genuine fun through its clever mechanics and story twists. As a solo dev effort from Dionysus Acroreites, it’s impressive how it captures that “just one more floor” addiction, even if some glitches and design quirks (like occasional sloggy sections) hold it back from perfection. If you’re into satirical RPGs or need a break from bloated epics, grab it especially with the demo available on Steam to test the waters. The game is replayable, and worth the time for fans of Skyrim-lite adventures.
