Free RPG launches with 99% positive reviews and 12 wildly different story routes

What does it take for an indie RPG to launch with nearly 200 Steam reviews, 99% of which are positive? In Heartfall: A Tale in Three Lives, the answer seems to be a wide variety of artwork, original dialogue, twelve different story routes and a YouTube series that provides the foundation. The game is based on YouTuber Grian's Minecraft series 3rd Life. In the series, several creators compete in Survival Mode. Each has three lives – and anyone who reaches their final life becomes a hunter who must eliminate other players. It's a story of alliances, rivalries and unexpected twists.

Heartfall explores alternative outcomes to these stories. The non-commercial fan project involved 70 contributors who created stories, illustrations and music. According to the developers, no prior knowledge of the series is required, which could make the game interesting even for those unfamiliar with 3rd Life – and perhaps the RPG will inspire some players to check out the series afterward.

Heartfall is a typical visual novel RPG. It focuses on exploration, dialogue and choices – but above all, dialogue. Conversations make up the vast majority of the game. The script contains 400,000 words spread across twelve different story paths, each written, illustrated and designed by a different team, as the developers explain on Steam. As a result, the twelve routes, each presenting a different alternative outcome to the YouTube series, are intended to feel genuinely distinct. The Steam description reads: "You may find yourself becoming a detective, cheating on your first alliance, or discovering secrets that were best left forgotten!"

What players praise most frequently is the artwork – particularly its variety, thanks to the many contributors involved. The story is also said to be compelling, with plenty of emotional and humorous moments. Encouragingly, several players confirm that the game is enjoyable even without prior knowledge of the YouTube series. There is one criticism, however: Player choices reportedly don't always have a noticeable impact on how the story unfolds. Steam Deck compatibility is still unknown. Nevertheless, given the positive early reception, this free-to-play title seems well worth checking out.

As a child in the 90s, my Gameboy was my steady companion. After school, the PlayStation was fired up. When I finally got my first PC, I was completely hooked. My passion for gaming has never waned since. For me, writing for Notebookcheck means reporting on topics that are really close to my heart - in addition to gaming, I also like to write about e-mobility, photovoltaics and innovative gadgets. When I'm not sitting at my computer, I'm probably on water rescue duty on the Baltic coast or trying to counteract the downsides of my geek life - namely sitting for long periods - at the local swimming pool.