PC launch reveals Nothing Strange Here

• Announcements by Jack Allin
• Published:

Demo also available for open-world 3D journalism adventure on Steam and itch.io

When a game is called Nothing Strange Here, you know it's lying through its teeth. (Thank goodness; there wouldn't be intrigue otherwise.) Now the full extent of Dandelion Developers' fibbery is ready to be exposed with the launch of the indie Swedish studio's new adventure.

After a decidedly unceremonious parking job, players control a young lad arriving at the town of Larcenest Gap to start working for his Uncle Barnie as an investigative reporter. It seems a nice enough place at first, but before long you'll begin to sense that "something’s off" here. Someone has inexplicably stolen all of Uncle Barnie's historical articles, for example – just one of many events that alone might be dismissed but when added up suggest something larger and darker at play. And so, armed only with your notebook and camera, you must set out to "investigate hidden mysteries that go beyond your job description and help the locals solve their bizarre problems" if you're to successfully uncover the truth. 

Presented in a simple but charming low-poly, cel-shaded 3D art style, Nothing Strange Here frees players to roam almost anywhere in the open-world environment, from "mysterious forests to quirky city streets." No matter where you go, "around every corner there are strange sights, mysterious quests and cozy moments waiting to be found." It's your job to "meet quirky locals, take on strange quests, and use your camera to capture memorable moments." As a journalist, at times you'll need to use what you've learned to write articles from preselected text or by typing in your own supporting story details. Each quest presents three different article styles and your choices are important, as they will "change how the world reacts, from the gossip on the town’s quest board to how areas look and feel." The townsfolk will "remember what you write... and sometimes even dress the part." 

In between assignments, you can undertake a variety of "funny and mysterious quests, uncover strange secrets," search for gnomes, and turn your photos of "weird moments" into collectible stickers to fill up your scrapbook. Keep an eye on the clock, however – or the sky. A continual day/night cycle will let you "explore the world under the warm sun or the eerie glow of moonlight," or anywhere in between, but beware that "certain events, characters, and secrets only appear at specific times."

The job is yours if you want it, as Nothing Strange Here is now finished and ready for purchase. Or, if you'd like to start with a probationary period first, you can do that instead through the playable demo available on Steam and itch.io for Windows PC.

• Advertisement
• Help support AGH by advertising with us