A Short Hike Dev Releases Unfinished RPG Demo, Cites Uncertain Future
▼ Summary
– Adam Robinson-Yu shelved development on Untitled Paper RPG, a project inspired by Paper Mario, due to feeling overwhelmed and losing joy in the process.
– The RPG’s demo, with 1-2 hours of gameplay, is now available for PC and Mac as Robinson-Yu wanted to share progress despite halting development.
– Robinson-Yu cited scope, lack of story, and doubts about turn-based combat as reasons for pausing the RPG after focusing on A Short Hike.
– Players praised the demo for retaining the charm and humor seen in A Short Hike, appreciating the glimpse into the unfinished project.
– Robinson-Yu is now working on other projects, including an action-adventure game, a claymation-style micro-RPG, and an online platforming roguelike.
The creator of the beloved indie game A Short Hike has decided to release an unfinished RPG project as a free demo, giving players a glimpse into what might have been. Adam Robinson-Yu, known by his online handle adamgryu, initially began developing Untitled Paper RPG in 2016, inspired by classic Paper Mario titles. What started as a passion project eventually grew into something more ambitious, but ultimately, the scope proved too daunting.
Robinson-Yu openly shared his struggles with the development process, admitting that over time, the excitement faded. “The game’s scale felt overwhelming, the story never fully came together, and I began questioning even the core mechanics,” he explained. After the success of A Short Hike, returning to the RPG no longer felt appealing. While he hasn’t ruled out revisiting it someday, his current focus lies elsewhere.
Rather than letting the unfinished project gather dust, Robinson-Yu decided to share it with fans. The demo, available for PC and Mac, offers roughly one to two hours of gameplay. “I know some people were still curious about it, so I thought, why not let them see where things were headed?” he said. The build showcases early mechanics, charming aesthetics, and the same warmth that made A Short Hike so memorable, even if some elements remain unpolished.
Players who’ve tried the demo have responded enthusiastically. One fan noted how the prototype already carries Robinson-Yu’s signature humor and attention to detail, calling it a rare peek into the creative process. “It’s incredible to see the roots of your style here, even in an unfinished state,” they wrote.
Looking ahead, Robinson-Yu has multiple projects in the works, including an action-adventure title, a claymation-inspired micro-RPG, and an online roguelike platformer. While Untitled Paper RPG may never see completion, its demo serves as both a farewell and a gift to those who appreciated its potential.
(Source: EuroGamer)
