Retro Districts: In-Between Eras

Retro Districts is a philosophical visual novel set in a fictional alternate universe, blending time travel with thoughtful exploration of human values, society, and intellectual identity.

You play as Lazar Maksimovich, a physicist who spent years developing a time machine in an abandoned bomb shelter. When the attack on the city traps him in his laboratory, a signal from the future offers an unexpected escape. Upon arriving in the year 2225, Lazar discovers a world where people live in Retro Districts — themed neighborhoods, most of them dedicated to various decades of the 20th century: 1920s Pariel, 1950s–60s Federated States of Freedom, 1980s Western Areal, Unified System of the People, among others.

In this future, where technology allows people to change their appearance and even the weather at will, intellectual sophistication has become the ultimate mark of distinction. The inhabitants of these Retro Districts engage in philosophical discourse as a form of social play, discussing freedom, mass media, art, and the nature of civilization itself.

Your mission begins as reconnaissance: gain the trust of districts dwellers through meaningful conversation. Navigate branching dialogues where thoughtful responses unlock new locations and deeper discussions. From cabarets and art galleries to anti-war protests and TV studios, each encounter offers perspectives on consumerism, media influence, power, self-worth, and the eternal human search for meaning.

The journey eventually leads to the Overseas Egocracy — a secretive district modeled on a 1950s order — and finally to the Unified System itself during the 1950s–70s, where conversations touch upon the principles and contradictions of the System's society. But Lazar's journey will continue one day, and then the Grove, an alien, and the riddle of a concealed technology will be waiting for him.

Disclaimer:  This game is a work of philosophical fiction set in a fictional alternate universe, where historical imagery and ideas have been creatively reinterpreted. Any parallels that may arise should not be taken as statements about real countries, groups or persons. The game's dialogues touch on difficult questions. The characters' opinions serve the development of the story and the themes being explored and should not be taken as the author's own views. This title is intended for a mature audience (18+). Original screenplay written by a human. The author condemns extremism and discrimination. The decision to play is yours.

P.S. The gameplay mechanics of the demo may differ from those of the full game.