News: Decadent Heir Playtest Opens with Exclusive Rewards
Developer PRdroid Games, in collaboration with publisher Valkyrie Initiative, has announced the opening of playtest registrations for their upcoming narrative RPG, Decadent Heir, available on the game's Steam store page. Set in the opulent yet crumbling twilight of the late 19th-century Russian Empire, players step into the life of a nobleman born into privilege, navigating a world rife with political intrigue, betrayal, and lavish excess. From the protagonist's birth, every choice—from simple childhood activities like reading a book or playing with a dog to pivotal decisions in education, military service during the Russo-Japanese War and World War I, or revolutionary involvement—shapes not only the character's traits like charisma, empathy, perseverance, agility, and intelligence but also ripples through family dynamics, societal structures, and the nation's fate. The game explores profound "what if" scenarios in an alternate history, challenging players to avert the empire's fall in February 1917, interact with historical figures such as Rasputin, Lenin, Kornilov, and Stolypin, and potentially prevent the ensuing civil war that claimed millions of lives. Embracing a roguelike structure, death prompts a rebirth where retained memories and expanded mystical talents—like Nostradamus for foresight or Trickster’s Smile to bypass limitations—unlock new paths, encouraging multiple playthroughs to rewrite history.
Decadent Heir's narrative is meticulously handcrafted by the PRdroid Games team, emphasizing deep historical and philosophical themes, while AI-generated illustrations bring the text-based scenes to vivid life as a supportive tool for imagery. The story unfolds across five acts, spanning childhood, adolescence, youth, adulthood, and the revolution's chaotic first week in St. Petersburg, with a flexible decision-making system that allows bold, instinct-driven choices despite stat mismatches, introducing risk mechanics where failures can lead to tragic outcomes or surprising discoveries. Players can pursue power through civil service amid corruption, forge alliances or enmities, chase ambition as a propagandist or commander, or safeguard family amid systemic injustices. The upcoming playtest, slated for Q1 2026 or earlier based on demand, will feature the first chapter with refined story content, innovative mechanics, and immersive full Russian voice acting to enhance the atmospheric depth. Participants are invited to provide feedback via a dedicated Google form and unlock Steam achievements, fostering community involvement in polishing this ambitious title.
To sweeten the playtest experience, Valkyrie Initiative offers an exclusive reward: the "Lucky Charm" talent, boosting luck in risk-based choices for unforeseen story branches—from averting deaths to unveiling hidden narratives—available only at full release. Qualification requires adding Decadent Heir to one's Steam wishlist, following the Valkyrie Initiative publisher page, and earning the "Hat Trick" achievement during the test. This incentive underscores the game's core thrill: embracing uncertainty, where a fortunate roll can transform bold gambles into historical triumphs. As PRdroid Games notes, the soul of Decadent Heir lies in its human-crafted branches and consequences, inviting players to ponder fate's whims—will enhanced luck embolden risk-taking, or merely amplify the drama of destiny? Decadent Heir promises a poignant simulation of individual agency amid empire's decline.