German studio Paintbucket Games has announced Through the Darkest of Times, a strategy game set in 1930s-era Germany.
Players will take control of a small resistance group in 1933 Berlin, when Hitler's Nazi party was on the rise. Through the use of guerrilla tactics like leaflet distribution, espionage, sabotage, and information gathering, the player's group will attempt to undermine Hitler's party and resist the Nazis as best they can.
Publishing duties will be handled by HandyGames, a subsidiary of THQ Nordic. Paintbucket says that having HandyGames on board allowed them to increase the scope of the game, adding extra content and endings as well as ensuring worldwide distribution. HandyGames CEO Markus Kassulke says his company is "proud to publish such an important game".
To commemorate the release date announcement, a brand new cinematic trailer was made available via Paintbucket Games' official YouTube account. You can check out the trailer here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzUa9TTm21s
Details on Through the Darkest of Times' actual moment-to-moment gameplay are rather thin on the ground at present. The game's official website states that players will be cast in the role of a resistance leader, planning actions to gain followers and weaken Hitler's regime. Morale and resources must be carefully balanced, while the ever-looming threat of the Gestapo means players must be careful when planning their resistance. Through the Darkest of Times will be turn-based, with each turn taking one week and each chapter covering a specific year in the Third Reich period.
Paintbucket says that, although the resistances and characters portrayed in the game are fictional, the game is based heavily on real-life Nazi resistance movements such as the Schulze-Boysen-Harnack Red Orchestra group. They're taking a similar approach to Paradox's Hearts of Iron series in that, while the game starts off in historical accuracy mode, players will be able to change history depending on their performance.
This looks like one to watch - Paintbucket Studios' founders are two ex-Spec Ops: The Line developers, so they're well-versed in the darker side of video game storytelling. Through the Darkest of Times will be released for PC and Mac in 2019.
Are you looking forward to resisting Hitler in Through the Darkest of Times? Let us know in the comments below!
