Why settle on just one good thing when you can have them all? That’s the story of Artis Impact, a gorgeously designed turn-based RPG in one moment, then a cozy slice-of-life tale the next. From gameplay systems to art styles, it blends a unique mix to create something you’ve never quite seen before.
One look at Artis Impact in motion and you instantly know it’s unlike anything else you’ve played. With a blend of artistic inspirations layered atop simply stunning hand-drawn backdrops, a synthesis of mechanics, juxtaposing turn-based combat with more cozy-oriented upgrade paths and exploration, it’s certainly unlike anything I’ve ever played before, at the very least.
In a year where turn-based games are having a bit of a moment again, it comes at the perfect time to complement the loftier AAA experiences. It’s a tighter, 10-15-hour adventure, more in line with what you’d expect from a lone developer that’s been chipping away for the past four years.
It’s one of the most striking indie games I’ve experienced this year, and for a number of reasons we’ve not even begun to discuss here yet.
What is Artis Impact?
Artis Impact is a tricky one to really pin down. At its core, turn-based RPG combat is the focus. You attack or defend, then your enemies have a go at doing the same. But that woefully undersells it.
When you’re not engaged in the surprisingly accessible combat, you’re spending time wandering through the open world, interacting with locals, honing your skills, renovating your house, and… managing small businesses? Yeah, that too.
Outside of the more intense sections, the game morphs into somewhat of a cozy experience where you’re off dedicating as much time as you like to generating revenue through quirky jobs, enhancing your weapons, or even cooking, all of which can help pay off in the other half of the game.
You step into the shoes of Akane where you’re fighting back against pesky artificial intelligence. To say more would be to spoil the narrative, but rest assured the tone isn’t wholly serious throughout, there’s a frankly surprising amount of comedy to balance it all out.
There are deep gameplay systems on offer here that may all seem rather innocuous at first, but all play a larger role in not only immersing you in the breathtaking world, but in boosting your combat potential too.
With so much to dig into and so many unique qualities in play, we had to pick the brain of solo developer ‘Mas’ and learn more about the fascinating indie game.
What the solo dev says about it
A unique blend of art styles
“I started this project way back in 2021, it’s been over 4 years. Working on the game’s visuals has always been daunting, but I hope to create a unique little adventure for players.
“When it comes to game development, we’re often making trade-offs, especially with limited time.
That’s why I had to be very creative in coming up with efficient ways to present the game’s ideas to the player.
“In essence, my process usually goes like this: I have a story I want to tell, and then I think, how can I deliver this story to the player? Rather than: “Okay, I’ve drawn this cute little town, now let’s come up with an interesting story for it.”
“I believe this thinking process has strongly influenced my artistic approach. That’s why players will notice a variety of drawing styles in Artis Impact, such as the cute small-head portraits in game dialogues, the serious, realistic comic-style during storytelling cutscenes, and the retro top-down pixel graphics used during exploration.”
“I draw a lot. It’s mostly trial and error until something works, and I’ve spent a great amount of time on this. That said, it was especially important because it defines how the animations will be handled moving forward.”
A not-so-punishing turn-based RPG
“It has always been the core principle of Artis Impact to be a simple and playful game. In essence, I hope it’s the kind of game players can jump into, have fun with, and take a breather from busy life, rather than walking away with an exhausted mind.
“I want it to be something players can enjoy without overthinking, stressing over fast reactions, or constantly sitting on the edge of their seat.
“For instance, the boss enemies in the game can be difficult, but to defeat them, players can choose to power up their character by grinding, learning new skills, and training, focusing more on improving the character’s stats rather than relying on the player’s reflexes.”
Combining combat with a cozy slice of life
“If possible, I hope to create an environment in which players can role-play the life of Akane, that is, combating the invasive AI, exploring and learning what has become of the world, and finally living her slice of life in the town.
“Practically, when we put these elements together, it’s crucial that we make sure each part of these elements is fun on its own. Otherwise, it will just end up as a mundane part of the game, where players feel obligated to do it rather than enjoy it.
“Each of these elements should also complement the other to stay relevant. For example, maybe players can obtain a powerful piece of equipment from the exploration side of the game, which can then be equipped to strengthen the character’s stats, making boss fights more manageable. Or, defeating a certain boss might reward the player with a sum of money, which can be used to upgrade their home.”
Artis Impact launched on Steam on August 7, 2025. You can purchase the game here. There’s currently no word as to whether the game will eventually reach other platforms.
Terence Stamp Dies: Superman's General Zod Was 87