Developer Lofty Sky Entertainment has revealed the first gameplay trailer for Hope in the City, its upcoming non-linear mystery adventure. Shown during FGS Live in Cologne at Gamescom 2025, the trailer highlights the unique detective mechanics that set the game apart.
The story follows 17-year-old Hope Song, who returns home from school to find her parents missing. What begins as a personal tragedy quickly becomes a branching investigation, where every clue, insight, and decision can shift the outcome of the mystery.
Solving Mysteries Through Art
At the heart of Hope in the City lies a distinctive mechanic: Hope’s sketchbook. This serves as both her journal and the player’s interface for piecing together the case. As Hope explores her world, she jots down thoughts and observations as sketches, which players can combine into insights.
Insights unlock new dialogue options, locations, and clues, allowing the investigation to unfold dynamically. By pairing insights with additional thoughts, players can trigger breakthrough moments that push the mystery forward in surprising ways.
A Cinematic Mystery Experience
The narrative is further elevated by stylized cinematic cutscenes crafted by Lofty Sky’s acclaimed animation team. Known for producing the first animated feature submitted as Canada’s official entry to the Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film (2023), the studio brings a sharp, emotional visual style to Hope in the City.
With its blend of art, storytelling, and detective gameplay, the title promises a mystery adventure that rewards both intuition and creativity.
Release Info
Hope in the City does not yet have a release date, but can already be wishlisted on Steam.
