The Great Sassanelli: DigiTales Steps Into Publishing With an Ambitious WWI Circus Adventure

Why The Great Sassanelli Isn’t Just Another Narrative Indie

When an indie studio best known for hard-hitting detective tales pivots to publishing, it definitely makes me sit up and pay attention. DigiTales Interactive, creators of the excellent Lacuna and the ambitious Between Horizons, have just announced they’re backing The Great Sassanelli-a game that, on paper, could easily blend into the crowded field of “narrative adventure” indies. But after reading the details, there’s something authentically intriguing about what Forking Paths Gardening Interactive is building here: a journey through war-torn WWI Europe on a literal circus train in search of a fabled utopia.

• DigiTales making their first move as a publisher signals real belief in the project-and risk.
• The WWI circus angle isn’t just window dressing; it promises fresh narrative and gameplay intersections.
• Branching storylines, resource management, and a hand-crafted world could finally offer a narrative game with real replay value.
• Painterly art and side-quests hint at a level of ambition and heart not often seen from two-person teams.

The Circus in War: Why This Setting Feels Fresh

Let’s be honest-WWI is criminally underused in gaming, outside of a few big-budget shooters and the occasional indie walking sim. The Great Sassanelli opts for a very different lens, casting you not as a soldier, but as the ringmaster—steering your motley crew of performers across battle-scarred Europe. It’s the sort of perspective that reminds me of the best moments in games like Cart Life or This War of Mine—where everyday survival and personal stories matter just as much as the big historical backdrop.

It also taps into something I haven’t seen since Sunless Sea: managing both the practical and emotional needs of a scrappy group on a dangerous journey. If DigiTales and Forking Paths pull this off, it could cut through the sameness that plagues many “visual novels” or so-called interactive stories—offering not just narrative choices, but a balancing act where resource shortages and morale dips shape the actual story beats.

More Than Just a Branching Story—Real Resource Stakes

The press blurb promises a “light economy simulation” and recruitable performers, each with unique perks and arcs. If you’ve ever groaned at narrative games that pitch “choice” while railroading you through the same outcomes, this should spark hope. There’s talk of dozens of explorable towns, randomized encounters, and side quests—a far cry from the tired static backgrounds and endless dialogue clicking.

I’ve long thought that too few interactive novels have systems with teeth—something that genuinely makes your playthrough different from your friend’s. If The Great Sassanelli delivers on this, it might be the closest thing to merging story-rich indie spirit with the systemic unpredictability of a true simulation. Think 80 Days, but with a circus in the crosshairs of a continent at war.

DigiTales Bets Big—But Can They Pull It Off?

What jumps out most here is DigiTales stepping into publishing for the first time—a move that’s as risky as it is exciting. They’re not a big indie label with deep pockets, and their statement makes it clear this is an “experiment.” Their previous work—especially Lacuna—showed real mastery of narrative branching, but supporting someone else’s vision is a whole new challenge. If they succeed, it might carve out a new publishing pathway for smaller, bold indies in Europe.

Of course, there are question marks: “Light economy simulation” can mean anything from barely-there mechanics to legit management challenges. Will the story’s literary ambitions get watered down by resource grinds? And, as much as I love the idea of unique arcs for every performer, that’s easy to promise and incredibly hard to deliver—especially for a tiny team.

The Gamer’s Bottom Line: Why Keep This On Your Radar?

If you’re burned out on formulaic visual novels and looking for the next big risk in narrative-driven indies, The Great Sassanelli might surprise you. There’s genuine ambition behind its setting and systems, and the fact that DigiTales is staking their reputation on it tells me this is more than a quick buck grab. It could easily go sideways, but if you value games that swing for the fences, wishlist this one and keep an eye out as 2026 comes closer.

TL;DR

The Great Sassanelli puts you in charge of a struggling WWI circus on a journey for survival and hope, combining true narrative branching with resource management. DigiTales’ publishing leap is risky, but if the two studios nail the execution, this indie dark horse could be something special for story game fans tired of the usual fare.