In the realm of action-adventure games, standing out requires more than just a compelling world or flashy combat. French developer New Tales appears to understand this implicitly with their debut title, Fading Echo. This game immediately captures attention with its distinct “desert punk” aesthetic, a visual blend of Japanese manga and American comics, and gameplay that revolves surprisingly around the dynamic interaction of fluids. Yet, delve a little deeper, and you find an even more intriguing foundation: the game`s roots trace back to the collaborative world of tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs), and its development embraces talent from across creative industries.
From Tabletop Sessions to Digital Worlds
The journey of Fading Echo didn`t begin in a typical game design document but rather around a table with dice (or in this case, a diceless system). Emmanuel Obert, co-founder and co-director at New Tales, revealed that the initial spark came from a homebrew TTRPG setting he created years ago for friends. Inspired by the classic “Chronicles of Amber,” but needing flexibility for a different system (the Marvel Heroic Cortex Plus), this setting evolved into the core concept for Fading Echo.
When New Tales formed, seeking an original IP, Obert`s old TTRPG world was dusted off. While adapted for the video game medium, key narrative elements, such as the legends that shape the world, remain echoes of those initial tabletop sessions. This origin story hints at a design philosophy prioritizing player freedom and systemic depth, hallmarks of engaging TTRPGs.
Fluid Dynamics as Gameplay System
The central mechanic of Fading Echo is its focus on fluids. On the lost world of Corel, once ripe for colonization by the technologically advanced House Kelevra (to which the protagonist, One, belongs), liquid magic was abundant. However, Kelevra`s aggressive exploitation fractured the planet. Studio head Sylvain Sechi explains that this conflict is reflected in the game`s systemic design: Corel itself fights back, often through elemental forces.
“Water is the mana of the game,” Sechi notes, explaining how the concept expanded to include interactions with other fluids like lava, waste, and corrosion. Each fluid reacts elementally. Water meeting lava, for instance, solidifies into temporary rock platforms—a practical application for both traversal and combat. The design aims to make the player feel intelligent, anticipating these reactions. Combat, therefore, often lacks a single prescribed solution, instead encouraging players to combine their own fluid abilities with the environment`s elements. If all else fails, yes, there`s always the option to just use your spear, but the game nudges you toward creative problem-solving, much like a good Game Master in a TTRPG might.
The Echoverse and Narrative Depth
Narratively, Fading Echo introduces the “Echoverse,” a multiverse concept comprising Prime Realities and “Shadows”—variable realities often twisted reflections of choices or actions made in the Prime reality. Corel, as a resource-rich Prime Reality, was subjected to House Kelevra`s exploitative manipulation, leading to the creation of Shadows that showcase the consequences of their actions. As protagonist One quests for self-discovery and a way to save her home, she traverses these diverse realities, experiencing familiar places warped by past crimes.
A Confluence of Creative Talent
Perhaps most indicative of New Tales` innovative approach is their deliberate recruitment of talent from outside the typical video game industry bubble. This cross-pollination is seen as a way to inject fresh perspectives and unique creative DNA into the project.
Game master and writer Jasmine Bhullar, known for her work in TTRPGs like DesiQuest and Coffin Run, joined the team as the writer. Obert highlights that Bhullar`s background, including her cultural perspective, brings a distinct voice to character and story building that a purely French studio might not achieve alone. For a game built on a multiverse, diverse perspectives are not just welcome; they are arguably essential.
The voice cast also features notable names from the TTRPG and acting worlds, including Critical Role`s Matthew Mercer and Laura Bailey in major roles. Samantha Béart, acclaimed for her performance as Karlach in Baldur`s Gate 3 and roles in indie hits like The Excavation of Hob`s Barrow, voices the protagonist, One. Béart`s involvement goes beyond typical voice work; they were given early access to play the game, gaining crucial insight into One`s character and movement, a level of integration they note is surprisingly rare in game development.
Béart highlighted the refreshing collaborative atmosphere at New Tales, comparing it favorably to siloed industry norms and even mentioning being part of the internal Discord server. This openness allows for a deeper understanding of the project and character, potentially leading to more nuanced performances. The studio`s willingness to allow actors this level of access and even consider table reads for chemistry is, as Béart noted, “unheard of” in many parts of the industry, though “Blizzard actually does that.” It suggests a conscious effort to adopt best practices from other creative fields.
Protagonist One: Form and Character
One, the protagonist voiced by Béart, is a would-be hero with the power of water, capable of summoning waves and lightning, and uniquely, transforming into a small water droplet. This droplet form allows for unique traversal—slipping through cracks, navigating underwater, or performing explosive splashes. The visual design reflects the dual art style influence: humanoid One has sharper, Western comic-like angles, while the droplet form adopts a rounder, cuter, manga-esque aesthetic.
Béart noted a subtle but significant detail after playing the game: the triangle symbols on humanoid One`s forehead mirror the “face” symbol on her droplet form. This small visual consistency, according to Béart, anchors the character, suggesting a core personality that transcends her physical manifestation. It`s a testament to how player experience can inform an actor`s portrayal, highlighting the value of deep collaboration.
Embracing Innovation for Unique Creativity
The New Tales team`s approach—drawing from TTRPG design, focusing gameplay around systemic fluid interactions, building a multiverse narrative, and actively seeking talent from diverse creative industries—points towards a development philosophy centered on enabling creativity and empowering innovation. Sechi emphasizes that integrating individuals like their composer or cinematic team, who may not come from traditional game development backgrounds, brings a “creative DNA” that makes the final product unique. While potentially harder to integrate initially, the payoff is a distinct and potentially groundbreaking experience.
Fading Echo is shaping up to be more than just another action-adventure game. Its blend of unique mechanics, intriguing narrative, and unconventional development process rooted in tabletop collaboration makes it a title worth watching. It is planned for release on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC, with a release window yet to be announced. The wait, it seems, will be for a game promising depth, creativity, and a fresh flow.
Ellis Thorne