Coming Soon: Mindfall: Song of the Echo

A Dream 20 Years in the Making

I was 15 years old when I finished my first journal. 

Within its pages was a story and world sketched out in fragments of handwriting and teenaged dreams. That journal would eventually become Mindfall: Song of the Echo, a project born from a lifelong love of video games, particularly the immersive magic of titles like Final Fantasy, Xenosaga, and Chrono Cross.

Now, 21 years later, with a degree in game design, a decade of life’s highs and lows behind me, and the help of my incredibly talented wife, Mindfall is finally becoming a reality. The Coming Soon page is now live on Steam, and I’m proud (and honestly a little stunned) to say the full game will be released this month.

A Lifelong Love for Storytelling Through Games

When I was a kid I learned how to type and read from the video game Everquest back in 1999. I’ve played too many games to count and found myself dreaming up my own cast of characters, powers, and worlds. Video games shaped the way I saw the world. They gave me a language for transformation, trauma, healing, and hope.

When I studied game design in college, Mindfall was always on my mind. It’s grown up with me, matured alongside my own mental health journey and creative evolution. I’ve had to restart it more times than I can count. But ultimately, the remembrance of the thrill of the journal, got me to write twenty more. Including 4 books and a novella.

What is Mindfall: Song of the Echo?

Mindfall is a turn-based RPG with philosophical undertones, haunting dreamscapes, and a cast of deeply emotionally complex characters.

You’ll explore the subconscious through psychic landscapes, face off against entities born from inner conflict, and uncover an ancient force known as “the Medi.” The game is infused with surreal visuals, poetic dialogue, and an original soundtrack that blends charm, romance, and betrayal.

Built With Love—And a Lot of Late Nights

While I’ve had the creative freedom to go deep into this world and its systems, the journey hasn’t been solo in spirit. My wife helped shape and edit the script which brought clarity to the characters and tightened the emotional arcs. But the rest, including code, maps, combat design, art direction, and dialogue trees, that was me, piece by piece.

This project means the world to me. It’s a reflection of everything I’ve been through, everything I’ve healed from, and everything I still hope to become.

Developer Insights – Behind the Scenes of Mindfall: Song of the Echo

Tools & Tech – Built in RPG Maker MV with custom scripting, scripted story edits from my wife, original soundtrack composed in Melodia (a joy in itself), and visual assets (character portraits, battlebacks) refined with help from Copilot. I’m semi-fluent in “talking robot” — a skill that occasionally makes me laugh and might make you smile, too.

Inspirations – My creative DNA is rooted in JRPGs. I grew up with Final Fantasy classics, but everything shifted with Final Fantasy X and Kingdom Hearts. By then I had already bested dozens of games — including Diablo right when it was released — but these titles changed my perception of storytelling in games. That spark led me into my high school’s video game design program (my toughest course ever), and later into university studies in game design.

Creative Ethos – Every mechanic, map, and line of dialogue was weighed not only for function, but for meaning. I wanted this world to feel lived-in, haunted, and worth saving.

Gameplay Highlights

Enter Mindfall: Song of the Echo,  a turn-based RPG weaving fantasy, philosophy, and the quest to reclaim the mind’s very essence.

You’ll lead Agni, the Red Prince, and his allies through realms divided by colored kingdoms, shadowed by the destructive force known as the Medi. When betrayal strikes from within, only courage, wit, and the bonds you forge can alter the fate of the Realms.

Story-rich design – Built by an author for lovers of narrative.

Turn-based tactical depth – Six core classes: Hero, Warrior, Priest, Rogue, Mage, Archer.

Original Soundtrack – 25 hand-crafted tracks, each scored with intention and heart.

Expansive exploration – 100+ maps across elemental terrains: magic, darkness, light, gray, fire, ice, earth, electricity.

Layered worldbuilding – Colored kingdoms, each with mysteries, politics, elements and personal stakes.

What’s Next?

You can now play the opening chapter of Mindfall: Song of the Echo — free on Steam. Experience the romance, and be ready when the battle begins.

The Mindfall: Song of the Echo Steam Coming Soon page is now live, and wishlisting is one of the best ways to support indie developers like me.  So if you love story-driven RPGs, psychological journeys, or dreamlike art and music—this one’s for you.

Thank you for being here. And thank you to the 15-year-old me who believed this was worth writing down.

—Luke DeSalvo Creator of Mindfall: Song of the Echo

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