A missing family. A city holding secrets. And one young artist determined to uncover the truth. Lofty Sky and co-publisher NAGA Publishing have officially launched a brand-new, updated demo of Hope in the City — live now on Steam as part of Steam Next Fest, running 19–26 October 2026.
The Story — She’s No Detective. She’s the Only One Who Cares.
You step into the shoes of Hope Song, 17, who returns home to find her apartment ransacked and both parents gone. The authorities aren’t rushing to help. The neighbours are watching in silence. So Hope takes matters into her own hands — not with a badge, but with her sketchbook.
“On the surface, it’s just home: familiar streets, quiet neighbours, ordinary life. But beneath the quiet, something is hidden.”
Set across the neon-lit streets and quiet corners of Shenyang, Northeast China, this narrative mystery unfolds through her eyes. You sketch clues, piece together timelines, and turn observations into evidence — all while realising the mystery runs deeper and darker than a simple disappearance.
Two Ways to Play — Story or Detective
The updated demo introduces two distinct modes, letting you shape the experience:
| Mode | Experience |
|---|---|
| Story Mode | Relaxed, guided exploration — focus on the narrative and characters without getting stuck |
| Detective Mode | Sharper challenges — clues are harder to spot, connections take more work, and every detail matters |
The demo also brings:
- Improved camera movement and smoother controls within Hope’s apartment
- Five-language support: English (fully voiced), Simplified Chinese, new Traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean
- A full round of polish and bug fixes
Release Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Demo Live | Now → 26 October 2026 (Steam Next Fest) |
| Full Release | 11 November 2026 (delayed one day — see note below) |
| Platforms | Steam (PC), Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC — available day one on Xbox Game Pass |
| Wishlist & Demo | [Hope in the City Steam Store Page](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3610790/) |
Note on the release date shift: The game moved from 10 to 11 November 2026 — a deliberate change timed to coincide with the Golden Joystick Awards in London, where the team has a special announcement planned.
Already Turning Heads
This is the next project from the team behind Sky of Tides (GDC 2026 Best in Play Winner) and Eternal Spring (Peabody Award-nominated). Hope in the City itself has already earned recognition as a Gamescom Dev Awards nominee and a finalist for Excellence in Narrative at the 2026 Busan Indie Connect Festival.
The Truth Is Waiting to Be Drawn
It’s a deeply personal story about family, trust, and finding your voice when the world stays silent. Whether you want to soak in the atmosphere or hunt down every hidden detail, the demo is your first step into Hope’s city.
Play the demo now on Steam, wishlist the game, and join Hope as she uncovers what happened. The truth is in the sketchbook — are you ready to find it?
More Info: Hope In The City
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