An upcoming Steam game that promises to be a “retro style top-down turn-based RPG” sounds enticing enough, but Max, an Autistic Journey is a lot more than that.

Developer Stéphane Cantin has created this game for players to experience in-game the life of Max, his son who has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

“This retro-inspired RPG gives players not only a unique gaming experience, but an insight into a world many people have never seen,” The game description reads, “While the visualisation of the beasts may be fantasy, the emotions and frustrations they represent are very real for a lot of people.”

Have a look at the game’s trailer below and you’ll can see some turn-based combat, puzzle solving, what looks to be rhythm minigames a a few other elements. We also noticed a level which looks to be a world made of LEGO. We can’t think of a more fitting level for a ten year old’s imagination.



The game will be available on Steam soon on August 19th although the price for it has yet to be announced.

If you want to play it right now, however, you can as there is a free demo available on itcho.io.

We haven’t had a chance to play the demo yet but we really like the idea of this game. It’s tackling a very difficult affliction that many people the world over have to deal with. In that regard it also reminds us of That Dragon, Cancer, a game many people lauded for its emotionally heavy, but informative and touching experience.

Go to the Max, an Autistic Journey’ Steam page