Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical

Last updated

Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical
Stray Gods The Roleplaying Musical cover.jpg
Developer(s) Summerfall Studios
Publisher(s) Humble Games
Writer(s)
Composer(s)
Montaigne, Tripod
Platform(s)
Release
  • August 10, 2023
Genre(s) Roleplaying, musical, narrative adventure
Mode(s) Single-player

Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical is a roleplaying musical adventure game developed by Summerfall Studios and published by Humble Games. The game was released on August 10, 2023, for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.

Contents

Synopsis

In Stray Gods, players assume the role of Grace, a college dropout who finds herself accused of murdering the last muse. Grace must prove her innocence to a pantheon of Greek gods, consisting of Athena, Apollo, Persephone, and Aphrodite, all within seven days. She must learn to wield her newly developed powers of music to find out the truth behind Calliope’s death. [1] Players select dialogue choices, which change the lyrics, musical style, and even outcome of the songs.

Cast and characters

Development and release

Stray Gods is developed by Melbourne, Australia-based developer Summerfall Studios. It is written by founder David Gaider, formerly of BioWare, and scored by Austin Wintory, composer of Journey . The songs were co-written by Wintory with singer Montaigne and the Australian musical trio Tripod. Stray Gods uses 2D hand-illustrated visuals, featuring comic book-style aesthetics with stylized character design.

Originally named Chorus: An Adventure Musical, the game had successfully crowdfunded on Fig.co in 2019, after it was announced at PAX AUS in an opening keynote by David Gaider. [2] The name change was announced on March 18, 2022, as well as Summerfall Studios’ partnership with Humble Games for Stray Gods. [3]

Chiefly inspired by Buffy the Vampire Slayer 's musical episode "Once More, With Feeling", the developers of Stray Gods wanted to make a video game that combines hallmarks of musical theatre with interactive storytelling. [4]

The game includes branching narrative paths, where player choice will not only determine the story and tone of the dialogue spoken, but also the melodies, lyrics, and styles of music that Grace sings. [5] According to Austin Wintory, the "combinatorial potential of the songs" in Stray Gods is so large that it is virtually impossible for anyone to have the same playthrough twice. [6] In June 2023, Summerfall and Humble announced that the game will also be available on all major home consoles alongside its Steam release in August. [7]

On April 12, 2023, Summerfall Studios and Humble Games unveiled the cast of Stray Gods in a live event at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles. [8] Titled Myth & Music, the one-hour event was hosted by Troy Baker and livestreamed on Critical Role 's Twitch channel. With live performances by Laura Bailey, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, and Ashley Johnson, Myth & Music also included various Q&As which revealed the casting of Felicia Day, Rahul Kohli, Anjali Bhimani, and Janina Gavankar. [9] The full cast list was revealed at the event. [10]

Reception

Stray Gods has received generally positive critical reception. Critics praised the voice acting, art style, overall idea, [17] [15] [19] but were more mixed on its execution and the songs themselves. [15] Some critics also found the audio mixing to be subpar and felt that some of the singing was not satisfactory in comparison with the voice acting. [21] [19]

Accolades

It was an Honorable Mention for "Excellence in Audio" and "Excellence in Narrative" at the 2024 Independent Games Festival Awards, [22] and was an Honorable Mention for "Best Debut" at the 24th Game Developers Choice Awards. [23] The game was also nominated for "Game, Original Adventure", "Original Light Mix Score, New IP", "Performance in a Comedy, Supporting" with Janina Gavankar as Freddie, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn as Persephone, and Felicia Day as Athena, and "Song, Original or Adapted" with "Adrift", and won "Performance in a Comedy, Lead" with Laura Bailey as Grace, and "Writing in a Comedy" at the NAVGTR Awards. [24] [25] It also won the award for "Best Music for an Indie Game", "Best New Original IP Audio", and "Best Original Song" at the 22nd Annual Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G) Awards, whereas its other nominations were for "Best Ensemble Cast Performance" and "Creative and Technical Achievement in Music". [26] [27]

YearAwardCategoryResultRef(s).
2023 Australian Game Developer Awards Game Of The YearWon [28]
Golden Joystick Awards Best AudioNominated [29]
2024 Grammy Awards Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media Nominated [30] [31]
GLAAD Media Awards Outstanding Video GameNominated [32]
British Academy Games Awards Debut Game Nominated [33]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tripod (band)</span> Australian musical comedy trio

Tripod are an Australian musical comedy trio founded by Scod, Yon and Gatesy in 1996. They provide original songs and harmonies, strung together by comic banter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Janina Gavankar</span> American actress (born 1980)

Janina Zione Gavankar is an American actress and musician. She is trained as a pianist, vocalist, and orchestral percussionist, and she majored in theatre at the University of Illinois Chicago. Her roles include Eva “Papi” Torres on Showtime’s The L Word, Shiva on The League, Leigh Turner on The Gates, Luna Garza on HBO's True Blood, McKenna Hall on The CW's Arrow, and Diana Thomas on FOX's Sleepy Hollow. In marketing, she also played "Ms. Dewey", a personified search engine and virtual assistant for Microsoft.

<i>Kelly Slaters Pro Surfer</i> 2002 video game

Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer is an extreme sports video game developed by Treyarch and published by Activision under the Activision O2 label. The game was endorsed by veteran surfer Kelly Slater and released for Game Boy Advance, GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox in 2002, and for Microsoft Windows in 2003. To coincide with the game, Slater appeared as an unlockable character in the 2001 skateboarding video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, complete with surfboard.

<i>God of War: Chains of Olympus</i> 2008 video game

God of War: Chains of Olympus is an action-adventure hack and slash video game developed by Ready at Dawn, and published by Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE). It was first released for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld console on March 4, 2008. The game is the fourth installment in the God of War series, the second chronologically, and a prequel to the original God of War. It is loosely based on Greek mythology and set in ancient Greece, with vengeance as its central motif. The player controls Kratos, a Spartan warrior who serves the Olympian gods. Kratos is guided by the goddess Athena, who instructs him to find the Sun God Helios, as the Dream God Morpheus has caused many of the gods to slumber in Helios' absence. With the power of the Sun and the aid of the Titan Atlas, Morpheus and the Queen of the Underworld Persephone intend to destroy the Pillar of the World and in turn Olympus.

<i>Tetris Effect</i> 2018 puzzle video game

Tetris Effect is a block-dropping arcade-styled puzzle video game developed by Japanese studios Monstars and Resonair and published by Enhance Games. The game was released worldwide exclusively for the PlayStation 4 on November 9, 2018, and features support for the PlayStation VR. A Microsoft Windows version, with support for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, was released on July 23, 2019. A version for the Meta Quest standalone VR headset was released on May 14, 2020.

<i>Journey</i> (2012 video game) Adventure game by Thatgamecompany

Journey is an indie adventure game developed by Thatgamecompany, published by Sony Computer Entertainment, and directed by Jenova Chen. It was released for the PlayStation 3 via PlayStation Network in March 2012 and ported to PlayStation 4 in July 2015. It was later ported to Windows in June 2019 and iOS in August 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Gaider</span> Canadian writer and game designer

David Gaider is a Canadian narrative designer and writer. He was the lead writer and creator of the setting for the role-playing video game series Dragon Age.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin Wintory</span> American film and video games composer (born 1984)

Austin Wintory is an American composer for film and video games. He is known for scoring the video games Flow and Journey, the latter of which made history as the only video game soundtrack to be nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media.

Smite is a 2014 free-to-play, third-person multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) video game developed and published by Hi-Rez Studios for Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Amazon Luna. In Smite, players control a god, goddess or other mythological figure and take part in team-based combat, using their abilities and tactics against other player-controlled gods and non-player-controlled minions.

<i>Abzû</i> 2016 video game

Abzû is an adventure video game developed by Giant Squid and published by 505 Games for PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Amazon Luna. Initially released as a digital title in August 2016, a retail version for consoles was released in January 2017. Following the journey of a diver exploring the ocean and restoring life using sonar calls, the gameplay allows the player to freely navigate underwater environments ranging from open water and natural caverns to ancient ruins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darren Korb</span> American songwriter and composer (born 1983)

Darren Korb is an American songwriter, composer, and voice actor. Korb is best known for writing the music featured in Bastion, Transistor, Pyre and Hades, all of which were developed by indie developer Supergiant Games. Korb also voice-acted in the latter two games, including providing the voice for Zagreus, the protagonist of Hades.

<i>Monaco: Whats Yours Is Mine</i> 2013 stealth video game

Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine is a 2013 stealth video game developed by Pocketwatch Games in which players, alone or cooperatively, perform heists and robberies. Players choose from eight characters, each of whom has a unique and beneficial skill, such as the ability to change appearance or tunnel through walls. Monaco's single-player story is told in four acts from perspectives of different characters. The cooperative mode lets up to four players play together in different locations.

<i>Knights and Bikes</i> 2019 video game

Knights and Bikes is a cooperative action-adventure game inspired by The Goonies and Secret of Mana. It is created by Foam Sword, a British indie game development company made up of former Media Molecule staff.

<i>Wandersong</i> 2018 video game

Wandersong is a puzzle adventure video game developed by American-Canadian indie developer Greg Lobanov. A music-themed game, it follows The Bard, a wandering singer, as they go on a quest to gather pieces of a song that will save their world from destruction. In the game, the player uses The Bard's singing to affect the environment, solve puzzles, and defend against enemies. Wandersong was released on macOS, Microsoft Windows, and Nintendo Switch in September 2018, PlayStation 4 in January 2019, and Xbox One in December 2019.

<i>Hades</i> (video game) 2020 video game

Hades is a 2020 roguelike video game developed and published by Supergiant Games. It was released for macOS, Nintendo Switch, and Windows following an early access release in December 2018. It was later released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in August 2021, and was released for iOS in March 2024 through Netflix Games.

<i>Elden Ring</i> 2022 video game

Elden Ring is a 2022 action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware. It was directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki with worldbuilding provided by fantasy writer George R. R. Martin. It was published for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on February 25 by FromSoftware in Japan and Bandai Namco Entertainment internationally. Players control a customizable player character who is on a quest to repair the Elden Ring and become the new Elden Lord.

<i>Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem</i> 2020 video game

Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem is an action role-playing dungeon crawler video game developed and published by Wolcen Studios and released for Windows in February 2020 and for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in March 2023. The dark fantasy-themed game progresses across a three-act storyline in which players explore procedurally-generated maps to battle hordes of monsters and collect valuable loot.

<i>Sea of Stars</i> 2023 video game

Sea of Stars is a 2023 role-playing video game by Sabotage Studio. The game was released for Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S and is set thousands of years before Sabotage Studio's previous game The Messenger (2018). In the game, players take control of two heroes named Valere and Zale, who use the power of the sun and moon to fight against an alchemist. Sea of Stars features puzzle-solving and turn-based combat, with the player able to control up to six characters. The game was well received critically and commercially.

<i>Endling: Extinction is Forever</i> 2022 video game

Endling: Extinction is Forever is an indie survival-adventure game developed by Spanish studio Herobeat Studios and published by German HandyGames. It has been released for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on July 19, 2022, for Amazon Luna on October 6, 2022, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on November 3, 2022, and for Android and iOS on February 7, 2023. The game was offered to PlayStation Plus subscribers, at no cost, for the month of July 2023.

<i>Phantom Abyss</i> 2024 video game

Phantom Abyss is a 2024 action-adventure video game developed by Team WIBY and published by Devolver Digital. Players attempt to escape trap-filled temples using a whip, like in the Indiana Jones franchise.

References

  1. ↑ McClure, Deven (15 September 2022). "David Gaider & Liam Esler Interview: Stray Gods, A Roleplaying Musical". ScreenRant.
  2. ↑ Fraser Brown (11 October 2019). "Chorus is an interactive mythological musical from RPG veterans". PC Gamer– via www.pcgamer.com.
  3. ↑ @summerfallgames (17 March 2022). "We are so pleased to announce a partnership with @PlayHumbleGames and a brand new name for our debut title. Introducing...✨STRAY GODS: The Roleplaying Musical✨" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ↑ Williams, Leah J. (28 August 2022). "Stray Gods wouldn't exist without Buffy, and the Australian Government". GamesHub.
  5. ↑ Andreadis, Kosta (11 October 2019). "Chorus is Part Musical and Part Adventure Game, with an All Star Cast". IGN.
  6. ↑ Brosofsky, Ben (17 April 2023). "Stray Gods Myth & Music Event Previews A World of Possibilities". ScreenRant.
  7. ↑ Romano, Sal (11 June 2023). "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical adds PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch versions". Gematsu. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  8. ↑ "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical launches August 3". Gematsu. 13 April 2023.
  9. ↑ Vitale, Adam. "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical launches on August 3 for PC | RPG Site". www.rpgsite.net.
  10. ↑ Jackson, Zach (13 April 2023). "Aussie-Made Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical Is Hitting The Stage In August".
  11. ↑ "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical". Metacritic. Metacritic . Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  12. ↑ "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical". Metacritic. Metacritic . Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  13. ↑ "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical". Metacritic. Metacritic . Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  14. ↑ "Review: Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical". Destructoid. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  15. 1 2 3 Nightingale, Ed (9 August 2023). "Stray Gods: A Roleplaying Musical review - Greek melodrama fails to reach lofty expectations". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  16. ↑ Harte, Charles (9 August 2023). "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical Review - Hades Meets Hadestown". Game Informer. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  17. 1 2 Ramée, Jordan (9 August 2023). "Stray Gods: A Roleplaying Musical Review - Worthy Of An Encore". GameSpot. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  18. ↑ Liao, Shannon (9 August 2023). "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical Review". IGN. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  19. 1 2 3 Wachter, Sam (9 August 2023). "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical Review". RPGamer. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  20. ↑ Bowling, Audra (9 August 2023). "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical Review | RPGFan". www.rpgfan.com. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  21. 1 2 Johnson, Odhran (9 August 2023). "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical review - almost all the right notes". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  22. ↑ "Visai Games' 'Venba' Leads Finalists for the 2024 IGF Awards". Independent Games Festival . 11 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  23. ↑ Sinclair, Brendan (16 January 2024). "Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Baldur's Gate 3 top GDC Award nominations". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  24. ↑ "Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Stray Gods, and Final Fantasy XVI top NAVGTR Award nominations". National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  25. ↑ "Baldur's Gate III wins Game of the Year from NAVGTR®". National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  26. ↑ Brew, Caroline; Wu, Valerie (13 December 2023). "'Star Wars Jedi: Survivor' and 'Mortal Kombat 1' Among 2024 Game Audio Network Guild Awards Nominees". Variety . Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  27. ↑ Hutchinson, Sabrina (22 March 2024). "22nd G.A.N.G. Awards Nominees [sic] – Full List". Game Audio Network Guild. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  28. ↑ Smith, David (4 October 2023). "Australian Game Developer Awards 2023: The Complete List Of Winners". Kotaku Australia. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  29. ↑ Loveridge, Sam (10 November 2023). "Here are all the Golden Joystick Awards 2023 winners". GamesRadar+ . Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  30. ↑ Bonthuys, Darryn (15 November 2023). "Snubbed At The Game Awards, Stray Gods Gets Grammy Nomination". GameSpot. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  31. ↑ Smith, David (10 November 2023). "Stray Gods, The Aussie-Made Musical RPG, Was Just Nominated For A Grammy". Kotaku Australia. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  32. ↑ "GLAAD ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR THE 35th ANNUAL GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS". GLAAD . 17 January 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  33. ↑ Hill, Mark Joseph (7 March 2024). "BAFTA Games Awards Nominees Announced". GameRant . Retrieved 7 March 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.