Reverse: 1999 is the turn-based RPG from developer Bluepoch. Playing as Timekeeper Vertin, you get to travel through different eras and recruit a diverse cast of unique arcanists. Your task is to seek out the truth about the ‘Storm’ — a phenomenon that hit the world on the last day of 1999, causing anything it touched to be reversed, and the time to stop progressing.
The game recently received a massive update 1.4, adding new characters, activities, a great number of free rolls, and more. If you haven’t played Reverse: 1999 yet, now is the best time to start! Version 1.4 lasts until April 18th, so there is plenty of time to explore the mysteries of Apeiron.
Additionally, the developers held the live online concert “Panoramic Ripples”, you can check it out here.
We had the pleasure to chat with developers from Bluepoch and ask them a few questions about Reverse: 1999, including where it all began and where does the team find inspiration for the unique characters.
Gamespace: Hello! It’s great to have this chat with you. Please, introduce yourself and tell us a bit about Bluepoch.
Bluepoch: Thank you for inviting us! This time, the questions regarding Reverse: 1999 will be answered by our Game Producer, Hitako, and Chief Writer, Factory Head.
Gamespace: How did Reverse: 1999 start? Do you recall what was that one thought that led you to decide to work on the project that turned into the game we have today?
Bluepoch: However fast the world is changing, we never cease to look back.
Many cultures from the 20th century and even earlier — such as jazz, retro sci-fi, and pirate radio — remain alive and popular. We’re big fans of these cultures and have always wanted a platform to share them with more people. That was the original idea behind the world of the game.
Gamespace: Was it exciting to work on the development of the game? What was the most memorable moment for you? On the other hand, what was the biggest challenge?
Bluepoch: The biggest challenge was navigating how to express the message and flavor of the stories in different languages and accents, given that the characters come from all over the world.
Though we’ve had some setbacks, thanks to the close communication between the writing and localization teams, as well as the efforts of the localization team in information retrieval, the end result turned out to be satisfying.
Gamespace: The game possesses a unique artstyle: the colors, the lineart, the shadows, all together painting a gorgeous picture. Can you tell us a bit about your inspirations?
Bluepoch: “What was once popular in different eras” is one of the core ideas of our philosophy. We use this idea in many aspects of the game, such as version events, garment designs, etc.
Gamespace: On her journey, Vertin the Timekeeper meets a diverse cast of characters from different timelines and regions. Is it an interesting process to bring such different heroes to life yet still have them fit the overall narrative and style? Reverse: 1999 has some of the most unique designs for playable characters I’d ever seen. Portable radio, playable door, and many more. How did you come up with this?
Bluepoch: We’ve always striven to make a unique game, so we value every idea brought up by our employees, however strange they may sound. As a result, we have all kinds of arcanists in the game now.
In Bluepoch, the process of creating a character starts with a discussion between the writers and artists. First, the writers pick the most interesting concept, and then the artists create multiple drafts of it. After continued discussions and adjustments, the final form of the arcanist is reached.
In our backstory, arcanists can be divided into several categories according to their bloodlines. One such bloodline is called “the awakened.” These are objects that have consciousness, such as Ms. Radio.
We are so happy that our players love these special characters!
P.S. The dev team finds it fun to have non-humanoid characters, and they fit well in our backstory. That’s why we keep creating these characters.
Gamespace: Are you pleased with the reception the game got so far? Has player feedback affected the game’s features in any way?
Bluepoch: It has been a great success thanks to our players’ unwavering support and generosity.
Let us continue to stand together, united in purpose, as we strive to create a better game for all. Thank you.
This brings our interview to a close. Check out the official site to find out more about the game and start playing for free. Reverse: 1999 is available on Android and iOS mobile devices as well as PC. Time-traveling shenanigans and deep narrative await!
If you are already playing, what is your favorite part of Reverse: 1999 and who is the character you hold most dear? Let us know in the comments below. It is Regulus, isn’t it?
