Hi everyone,
Feels surreal to even be typing this... but as of one year (+1 day 😉) ago, our first indie game reached its first year anniversary! Hurray! 🎉 😊
I'm absolutely mind blown that so much time has passed.
Between continuing to support BR, and entering production on my next game, the months sorta flew by!
Releasing Beloved Rapture was the fulfillment of a childhood dream of mine... a passionate, deep-rooted desire for releasing my own RPG.
The amount of support, feedback, live streams, and heartwarming reviews people wrote in the last 12 months since the game debuted, has really warmed my heart. :)
Plus, presenting our game at PAX East for the first time in-person, earlier in 2025, was an incredible moment.
As some of you know, a few of these characters have been with me since my late teenage years, so finally releasing them out into the wild... was deeply cathartic.
During production, I learned a LOT about the difficult "balancing act" most indies face.
The original script, for example, spanned 9 chapters, but the final release was trimmed to 7... even AFTER 5+ years of development. (...Perhaps it was my overzealous nature? 😅)
Yet as the game's director, I saw my role as needing to do everything possible to keep the pacing brisk and enjoyable — and most importantly, making sure the project actually released.
So, when the dust settled, some necessary cuts had to be made. It was compromise that got it over the finish line, just as much as it was our years of hard work.
But all things considered, I was proud of our team, for how the story was received here on Steam.
I've received messages from players across the entire world - people who connected with the characters and their trauma. That touched me very deeply.
The release version from 2024 (what I jokingly call the ‘theatrical cut’) told a complete narrative — Johan and Aiden’s dual story, their journey toward redemption, absolution, and creating a better world. 🙏 It had a beginning, middle, and end, etc.
And landing at 28–35 hours of average playtime, it was way more content than I ever imagined possible for our small team!
Yet with some added hindsight, my perfectionist side kept thinking about it...
I realized there were many "deleted scenes" that could further enrich the experience for both returning fans and new players. Extended flashbacks, new maps, added lore, and most vitally: an expanded ending. I decided it was time to act now, not contemplate it any longer.
So, rather than slowly patching new content in my spare time, I’ve chosen to temporarily return full-time to Beloved Rapture, so I can give level of polish the scenes deserve!
I would like the new content to be largely indistinguishable from the rest of the game, which requires a lot of effort and time to get right.
Read below for some specifics!
The updated version of Beloved Rapture is best described as a Director’s Cut — a more comprehensive manifestation of the story.
It won’t just give more details toward the main narratives, but will also feature refined mechanics (like a fully fixed WAIT mode), and other bonus content!
When it's ready, the DLC will be completely free.
A brand new full-sized region, "Archon's Peninsula" seamlessly connected to the main overworld. It contains over 20+ unique maps, new battles, a unique boss, and a town + two dungeons.
The scenes of Chapter 7, especially after the final boss, are extended to give greater resolution. The spirit realm of 'Astra' becomes a full dungeon, instead of a brief moment. Including one post-credits scene.
New Blacksmith and Rune Shop locations added to all regions!
New Ethrel Shard Locations + extra chests/gear.
A harp-playing, half-deity DLC Boss, Archon.
Brand new music composed specifically for the DLC Expansion.
New Relica attacks for Lance and Karuka, bringing their total to 3 each.
New dialogue portraits for NPCs that previously did not have any, such as Adamson or Tamara.
Two Cameo battles: Inside of a new colosseum location, duel against Atilla from Seed of Nostalgia, and Seeo from Dormant Sky.
Some screenshots below. (Warning: Lite spoilers)
My plan is to have the full array of additions finished by that date.
However, if we run short on time - I may break the content pack into two separate releases.
I'll plan on revealing more specifics, and a promo video, closer to that date!
Those of you already following Rapturous Studio's next game, our sci-fi romp Robot Rhapsody, can breathe a sigh of relief also; for that project is being worked on simultaneously.
Even though I'll be briefly coming back to Beloved Rapture in terms of my OWN workflow -- the artists and other freelancers are still at working on the new assets and programming tasks for its younger sibling; each week leading up to the Kickstarter campaign! In fact, we expect the crowdfunding to launch shortly after the BR Expansion.
Closing
Mere words can hardly get the job done... in my effort to explain what the past 12 months have meant to me. Those of you who earnestly played + enjoyed Beloved Rapture... I can't thank you enough for supporting our work, and helping our dream become real.
If you have any questions on what was written in this blog post, by all means, feel free to ask!
Eternally grateful.
Best,
Aaron
& Rapturous Studio