The Fusion of Classic cRPGs: A New Contender Emerges
Isometric RPGs have witnessed a dynamic resurgence in recent years, with beloved franchises like Fallout and Baldur’s Gate serving as creative foundations for a new wave of developers. Now, a fresh title is poised to join their legacy: RadCity: A Post-Apocalyptic Adventure, available to try for free via a playable demo on Steam.
A Return to Atmospheric Apocalypse
Drawing clear inspiration from the atmospheric desolation of the original Fallout and the deep role-playing mechanics of Baldur’s Gate 3, RadCity plunges players into the heart of an unnamed Eastern European industrial city after a nuclear catastrophe. The vibe is unmistakable: a top-down, isometric camera lets you scour abandoned blocks for vital supplies, all while unraveling environmental puzzles that demand observation and ingenuity.
This focus on survival isn’t just narrative dressing—mechanics like the need to ‘always find shelter when the night comes’ push players to balance resource gathering with strategic exploration. It’s a subtle nod to the nightmarish tension Fallout fans will remember, while narrative objectives like preparing for a train journey to escape the city offer branching story potential reminiscent of Baldur’s Gate’s player agency.
Handcrafted World from Developers Who Know Isometric Escapism
Romanian studio Babadokia brings remarkable detail to RadCity’s world. Every shattered street and rusted train car reflects a craftsman’s approach to 3D world-building. The setting’s anonymity—opting for ‘an unnamed city’—invites players to project their own stories onto the landscape, heightening immersion and making each playthrough personal.
Babadokia’s love for isometric adventures is evident; they’re also developing Super Solar, a dungeon crawler in a distinct sci-fi universe starring a formidable gunship. This dual effort showcases the studio’s commitment to refining classic genre mechanics while layering on atmospheric storytelling.
Free Demo: Your Gateway to the Ruined City
RadCity’s demo is intentionally digestible—most players clock in between 30 to 90 minutes depending on how thoroughly they explore. This short format makes it an ideal pick for RPG enthusiasts who want to sample something new without diving into a time-consuming epic. Despite its brevity, the demo hints at deeper systems and broader narrative arcs coming in the full release.
Steam users have praised the demo’s moody environments, intricate puzzles, and the tension of nighttime exploration. The game’s core premise—gathering enough food for an arduous 40-day preparation before a desperate escape—injects both strategic drama and existential stakes rare in typical genre entries.
Why RadCity Deserves a Spot on Your Wishlist
If you’ve ever felt drawn to the bleak immersion of early Fallout or the complex choices and party management of Baldur’s Gate 3, RadCity is engineered to push those same buttons. The fusion of setting, mechanics, and narrative freedom delivers an exciting proposition for both nostalgic cRPG veterans and new explorers hungry for depth.
You can download the free RadCity demo here and be among the first to explore this atmospheric, handcrafted wasteland.
