Elroy and the Aliens, developed by Motiviti and still without a release date, is a beautifully hand-drawn and 2D animated adventure game inspired by the 80s, 90s, and the golden age of adventure games from Lucas Arts and Sierra Entertainment. Set between 1993 New Mexico and an alien planet, the story follows Elroy and Peggie on an intergalactic journey to uncover the whereabouts of Elroy's missing father and confront a cosmic threat. After gamescom 2024, we spoke with Tadej, the game's writer, designer, and director, to learn more about this promising title.

When asked how influences from the 80s and 90s shaped the game's design and narrative, Tadej explained: "We grew up in the 80s and 90s, watching movies like Indiana Jones, The Goonies, and Stargate, and playing titles like The Dig, Monkey Island, and Space Quest. I love the sense of adventure and exploration of the unknown that these stories convey." He also noted that Elroy and the Aliens contains humorous elements but also tackles more serious themes such as the loss of a parent, betrayal, and coming of age, offering a balance that appeals to both classic adventure fans and modern gamers.

The game's design is heavily influenced by these classics, focusing on progression and exploration. Tadej added: "We wanted the game to have a good sense of pace and cater to both fans of old-school adventure games and modern players. There’s no time limit, so players can complete the game at their own pace, and the gameplay revolves around exploration, communication, and puzzle solving." He also mentioned that the game features over 60 voiced characters, with many mechanics involving interactions and conversations that help solve the mysteries.

On the subject of supernatural elements and how they contribute to the emotional experience of the player, Tadej explained: "In good science fiction, the supernatural isn’t the main focus of the narrative, but rather how these extraordinary events affect the characters, their journey, growth, and relationships." In Elroy's case, losing his father as a child shaped his choices and struggles to connect with others. The supernatural journey serves as a catalyst for his personal development and his interactions with other characters, particularly Peggie Wolfe, a reporter who joins him on the adventure.

Finally, Tadej emphasized that the game focuses not just on mystery and science fiction, but also on character development throughout the story. "The demo we released before gamescom was very well received, but it's only the beginning... it sets the stage for the story, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how players experience the full game."