03 Jun 2025
In the indie scene, where passion often outweighs resources, some games carry more than just mechanics and polish - they carry pieces of their creators. Remnants of Yore is one such game. Led by Nikita and Julia, this atmospheric, story-driven shopkeeping RPG blends cozy exploration with emotional depth, offering players a world that’s been carefully assembled with heart, sacrifice, and a love for storytelling.
“This project is incredibly personal to us,” Nikita shares. “It started as a small idea with my Co-Lead Julia, fragments of our individual game concepts that slowly began to fit together.”
Remnants of Yore centers around a mysterious cat and a town full of stories - some held onto, some forgotten. At its heart is a shop that acts as a living archive of the world’s lore. The game draws inspiration from titles like Moonlighter for its gameplay loop, Stardew Valley for its meaningful characters, and Hades for its structure and storytelling finesse.
Julia adds, “After years in the industry, I really wanted something that felt like it had a piece of me in it. Something that connects with people.” The result? A meditative, soulful experience where you can take your time, grow close to characters, and uncover stories worth remembering.
Building Remnants of Yore required a mix of 3D and 2D artistry, powered by an efficient blend of industry-standard tools. Unreal Engine 5.5 is the team’s engine of choice, where Nikita assembles immersive environments with handmade care. “I grew a passion for making worlds,” they explain, citing their background in Game & Heritage environments.
For asset creation, the team leaned into Blender and ZBrush for 3D work, while 2D art was brought to life through Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Procreate. “We were adaptable,” says Julia, “choosing tools based on each artist’s strengths and what the project needed at the time.”
As with any indie project, challenges weren’t in short supply. “Decision-making is hard when you care so deeply,” Nikita says. “There’s always that temptation to add more. But we had to balance our ambitions with reality - what truly served the story and the experience?”
The small team grappled with scope creep, technical limitations, and the weight of self-doubt. Julia notes that wearing multiple hats - handling development, marketing, and business - was overwhelming at times. But teaming up with Harakka Studio proved to be a turning point: “They’ve been incredible. It’s helped so much.”
Still, sacrifices had to be made. One major compromise? The co-op feature. “We dreamed of letting players run the shop with a friend,” Nikita says, “but it just wasn’t feasible for the demo. We had to focus on polish and clarity.”
Other systems - like a reactive town economy or deeper NPC interaction - were shelved temporarily. “Not gone forever,” Julia assures. “We just had to get the first things right.”
In honour of Mental Health Week, both developers reflected on how the project impacted their day-to-day lives. Nikita describes the grind as a blur: “When you’re passionate, the line between work and life disappears fast. You feel like you're working 24 hours a day.”
Late nights and long commutes became the norm, often at the expense of personal time. But through it all, the support of loved ones helped keep the dream alive.
Julia echoes this sentiment. “When the project is your own, it’s hard to draw the line. You work for hours without realizing, which can lead to burnout. But I’ve learned how important it is to stop and step away. Passion isn’t just measured in hours - it’s in the spark you keep alive.”
Asked what advice they’d give to others starting their own indie journeys, Nikita offered a heartfelt takeaway:
“Take care of yourself. Seriously. It’s the first thing to go when you’re passionate. There’s this pressure to give every hour to your game, but your best work comes when you're healthy and inspired. Stay connected to your ‘why’ - the reason you started in the first place.”
Remnants of Yore may not be the biggest title on the shelf, but it's clear that it's something special. It's a game built on connection - between developers, players, and the characters they create. And if it helps even one person feel a little less alone while playing, then Nikita and Julia know they’ve done their job.
Keep Calm and waka waka...
