One surprise announcement at Gamescom this year is the Divine Comedy-based ARPG from Jyamma Games called La Divina Commedia. While it isn’t the studio’s first game, it could be an opportunity to emulate the breakout success of games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, but with an Italian twist.
Clair Obscur was a massive success thanks to its deep connection to French culture, and while La Divina Commedia is certainly a different style of RPG, tapping into iconic Italian literature and culture will be incredibly interesting for players from all backgrounds. Jyamma Games’ first project, Enotria: The Last Song, was an Italian soulslike, which might not have had the same broad appeal.
The Epic Italian Opera From Dante Alighieri Is A Departure From The Studio’s Previous Game
Players familiar with Jyamma Games’ first project are in for a completely different experience with the studio’s next game. For starters, it isn’t being touted as a soulslike, but an action RPG, a subtle yet important difference. While the game still looks to incorporate soulslike mechanics, avoiding the soulslike label might be an intentional move.
Soulslike games, while widely popular, can have limited audiences, with difficult soulslike mechanics tending to be an acquired taste. La Divina Commedia looks like it’s aiming to avoid any potential misconceptions surrounding its gameplay, hopefully widening the game’s appeal.
Dante’s Inferno, the first part of The Divine Comedy, is a universally known story that most people will have encountered at some point in their schooling. While EA’s 2010 action-adventure game Dante’s Inferno and the Devil May Cry series reference the classic, an Italian studio presenting a sincere take on the story could be a game-changer. Jyamma Games is based out of Milan, so it’s a match made in heaven.
Jyamma Games Could Mirror Clair Obscur’s Success
Clair Obscur Was A French Studio Exploring French Culture
Clair Obscur was massively successful for a multitude of reasons, with a major one being its roots in French culture and iconography. Jyamma Games could capture this same appeal by sticking to a purely Italian cultural staple, and avoiding the soulslike label is likely to help.
Clair Obscur also doesn’t consider itself a soulslike, despite incorporating soulslike dodge and parry mechanics in a turn-based setting. Marketing La Divina Commedia as primarily an action RPG doesn’t mean there won’t be soulslike mechanics, but it will likely draw in a wider audience of players who are soulslike-averse. While it doesn’t yet have a release date, La Divina Commedia looks like a compelling RPG to add to your wishlist.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Systems
9/10
- Released
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April 24, 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
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Sandfall Interactive
- Publisher(s)
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Kepler Interactive
