# Slapstick Adventure RPGs Shadows Over Loathing is a New Stick Figure RPG from Asymmetric By Colin Smith | Published 2023-04-20 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shadows-over-loathing References: [store.steampowered](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1939160/Shadows_Over_Loathing/)  'Shadows Over Loathing' is a new indie game that combines comedy, adventure, and horror in a stick-figure world. The game is developed by Asymmetric Games, the creators of 'Kingdom of Loathing' and 'West of Loathing.' It was announced for [Nintendo Switch](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vampire-survivors-switch) during the Nintendo Indie World Showcase on April 19, 2023, and released digitally on the same day for the Nintendo Switch system. A physical edition of the game will be available for pre-order soon and will ship in the fall. In Shadows Over Loathing, players can explore a vast and bizarre open world filled with mobsters, monsters, mysteries, and eldritch horrors beyond comprehension. The game features a [turn-based combat system](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solasta-ii), a branching story with multiple endings, and a hand-drawn art style that mimics the look of a sketchbook. The game also promises to deliver plenty of humor and silliness, as well as references to pop culture and other [indie games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/raiders-of-blackveil). Shadows Over Loathing is a standalone sequel to West of Loathing, but it does not require any prior knowledge of the previous games. It is a game for fans of RPGs, comedy, and stick figures who are looking for a unique and quirky experience on the Nintendo Switch or PC. Image Credit: Asymmetric ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.5/10 - Popularity: 20% | Activity: 41% | Freshness: 15% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/games) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Stick-figure Rpgs:** Developing unique RPGs with simple stick figure graphics provide an opportunity for indie game developers to create disruptive innovation in a crowded gaming market. - **Humorous Horror Games:** Combining horror and comedy in video games like 'Shadows Over Loathing' presents a trend of creating new genres and experiences for gamers. - **Open-world Turn-based Combat:** In the world of modern RPGs, combining open-world exploration with turn-based combat system presents an opportunity for creating innovative gameplay. ### Where This Applies - **Video Game Industry:** As the video game industry becomes more crowded, the development of unique games like 'Shadows Over Loathing' presents an opportunity for indie game developers to stand out from the competition. - **Horror Genre:** With the success of games like 'Shadows Over Loathing', there may be increase in the creation and exploration of new horror genres that combine humor and wit. - **Comic Book and Graphic Novel Industry:** Stick-figure graphics found in games like 'Shadows Over Loathing' may pave the way for new styles of graphic novels and comic books. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Gothic Western RPGs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/evil-west.md) - [Cartoonized Role-Playing Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mythforce.md) - [Comedic Role-Playing Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/high-on-life.md) - [Randomized Dungeon-Crawling Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/silent-hope.md) - [Action-Based Indie Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cult-of-the-lamb.md) - [Comedic Alien-Invasion Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/high-on-life-2.md) - [Third-Person Noir Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sleight-of-hand.md) - [Punishing Gotchic Role-Playing Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-duskbloods.md) - [Endless Horde Survival Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vampire-survivors-switch.md)