Hope Deferred is a psychological horror game made on FromSoftware's Sword of Moonlight engine, which, in laymen's terms, means it was created on one of the most archaic and ancient pieces of software one can still make games on. Now, there are some tools in place to help make it a more user-friendly experience for modern audiences, such as mouselook and modern keyboard bindings, but you need to go into this with the proper expectations and know the limits of the engine itself. Go into this knowing there will be bugs, know that there might be some jank, and know that it is all the better for it. I thought to myself several times while playing Hope Deferred, "Man, if SoM had had the same grassroots boom that RPGMaker did, this would be one of the all time greats that people talked about". My favorite thing about playing fangames or RPGMaker horror games or a game like Hope Deferred is that you get these really beautiful glimpses into the creator of the game, and what they're inspired ...
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About This Game
Hope Deferred is a first-person psychological horror RPG.
Explore nightmare worlds and search for understanding in this PSX inspired dungeon crawler. Influenced by King's Field, Dark Souls, Silent Hill, True Events, and Delusion.
Find your way out of a psychedelic nightmare. Get subjected to religious psychosis. Uncover the truth. Break the cycle.
You wake up in a locked prison cell. Everything is red. On the wall of the cell is a mirror, and when you look into it, you see the truth. Your cell unlocks, but you're far from free. Explore a non-linear world with interconnected level design, each space more dream-like than the last. Talk to NPCs or slay them. Read the signs or ignore them. Take the path set for you or find another. Read a bunch of scripture against your will. Interpret it's lack of meaning. Worry about the mental health of another. Accept there's nothing you can do for them.
Souls-inspired but far from Souls-like.
No dodging, no parrying, no blocking, no rolling. You aren't a hardened knight or agile hunter, you are a frail prisoner, and escape is your only hope. Fight monsters, if you want. I know that's what you expect, so go ahead. A mediocre variety of enemies for you to press the attack button at. Experience multiple endings, make choices, do it all differently. Maybe then you'll understand.
Learn to love 4:3.
Go into the options menu and see that you can change the resolution. Accept that 1024x768 is the way it was meant to be.
Come find me.
I'm there waiting for you.
Screenshots
User Reviews
The story hits more through emotion than straight-up explanation, and each level feels like you're diving deeper into your own head. Combat's not really the main thing it’s more about the heavy atmosphere and that quiet kind of horror that sticks with you even after you're done playing. The sound design definitely gets under your skin. Gold’s super limited, so when you finally buy something useful, it actually feels earned. It’s rough around the edges, sure, but if you just let yourself get into it, it’s an experience that really sticks.
Hope Deferred is a psychological horror game that keeps you on edge. The eerie, retro-style dungeons create a strange but intriguing world to explore. Puzzles are challenging, and the slow combat makes sneaking past enemies feel tense. While the gameplay can get repetitive, the creepy atmosphere and unique nightmare setting make it an exciting experience for horror RPG fans.
A dark, mysterious journey with a unique atmosphere. Intriguing puzzles and eerie environments make Hope Deferred worth exploring.
Wish you the best, dev.
Piss and boner statue
Hope Deferred delivers a strong, haunting experience with solid narrative and ambiance, but it's held back by low-res visuals, lack of onboarding, and technical rough edges. With texture updates, a simple key tutorial, and optional windowed mode, it could easily level up. Still, if you're into dark, old-school horror with replay value and don't mind its quirks, this is worth a look.
System Requirements
Minimum
- OS: Windows 11
- Processor: 500 MHz
- Memory: 256 MB RAM
- Graphics: Integrated
- Storage: 1 GB available space
- Sound Card: Windows Sound
FAQ
How much does Hope Deferred cost?
Hope Deferred costs $19.99.
What are the system requirements for Hope Deferred?
Minimum: Minimum: OS: Windows 11 Processor: 500 MHz Memory: 256 MB RAM Graphics: Integrated Storage: 1 GB available space Sound Card: Windows Sound
What platforms is Hope Deferred available on?
Hope Deferred is available on Windows PC.
Is Hope Deferred worth buying?
Hope Deferred has 100% positive reviews from 7 players.
When was Hope Deferred released?
Hope Deferred was released on Apr 8, 2025.
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