Finish Line Games, the independent game development studio, announced on August 21st the release of the first playable demo for their retro sci-fi action-adventure RPG, Robots at Midnight. The demo is now available for free download on Steam. Additionally, the developer showcased a playable version of the game at gamescom 2024 as part of the Indie Arena booth. Set in the expansive world of 1980s Cassette Futurism, this action RPG features intense soul-like combat, satirical robots, giant mechanical monsters, and a rich narrative unveiled through exploration.

Robots at Midnight follows Zoe, an unlikely and disheveled heroine, as she searches and battles her way through the world of Yob, uncovering its secrets. Once a luxurious destination, Yob is now a desolate place overrun by robots—some friendly, others dangerous, and many that have begun to evolve, raising questions about what it means to be sentient. The game was first revealed last November at the 41st Annual Golden Joystick Awards and was selected earlier this year for the highly curated PAX Rising 2024 Showcase at PAX East. Most recently, it was featured as part of this year’s Summer Games Fest and The MIX Showcase in Los Angeles.

Developed by the same team behind popular indie titles like Skully, Maize, and Cel Damage HD, Robots at Midnight is a cosmic fantasy that offers strategic skill-based combat, fluid movement from climbing to dodging and spinning, an intense "Midnight Mode," risk-reward choices, and RPG progression tied to character growth, all set against an evocative storyline that prompts introspection.

“The team has been working hard to create a game that ‘feels’ right and is both accessible and challenging in a genre historically known for its difficulty,” said Daniel Posner, CEO and co-founder of Finish Line Games. “These showcases provide us with a great opportunity to promote the game, but also to get direct feedback from the press and attendees, which is crucial as we fine-tune things. We’re excited for a larger audience to access the demo and see what we’re creating.”

The playable demo is available for free download on Steam. Robots at Midnight is slated for release in Q4 2024 for PC and Xbox Series X/S consoles.