Hearth and Harbour: The Restaurant RPG We Want From Pale Beyond Devs
Last Updated: October 23, 2025
Years after the critical success of their gripping survival RPG, *The Pale Beyond*, developer Saltstone Studios left an indelible mark on players who appreciate deep narrative and difficult choices. In the wake of that success, a compelling concept for a follow-up project captured the imagination of the gaming community: *The Hearth and Harbour*, a unique restaurant management RPG that trades icy survival for the warmth of community and the simmering tension of a world on the brink of war.
While the game remains a tantalizing concept rather than a confirmed project, the core idea is more relevant than ever. It proposed a refreshing premise: players would manage a burgeoning restaurant, not just for profit, but to build a sanctuary—a safe harbour—for a diverse community threatened by external conflict. Instead of wielding swords, players would wield influence through hospitality, strategic resource management, and fostering powerful relationships to steer their community away from the ravages of war.
Gameplay and Mechanics
The proposed gameplay was a thoughtful blend of management simulation and narrative-driven RPG. The daily loop would involve crafting menus, sourcing ingredients, and serving a cast of memorable characters, each with their own stories, needs, and secrets. Success wouldn't be measured in gold alone, but in the strength of the bonds forged within the tavern's walls. These relationships were envisioned as the central mechanic for navigating the game's overarching conflict. Making an ally of a powerful merchant, offering refuge to a displaced family, or earning the trust of a military captain could unlock new pathways and peacefully resolve scenarios that might otherwise escalate into violence.
The Power of Community
This focus on community as a shield against war remains the game's most powerful idea. *The Hearth and Harbour*’s title perfectly encapsulates this theme. The "Hearth" represents the warmth, nourishment, and connection of the player's establishment, while the "Harbour" signifies its role as a place of safety and refuge in a turbulent world. The narrative promised to unfold through the player's choices, creating a dynamic story where diplomacy and empathy are the most potent weapons in your arsenal.
A Subversion of Tropes
What sets this concept apart is its deliberate subversion of typical RPG and management game tropes. It eschews combat and cutthroat competition for a focus on collaboration, strategic kindness, and peaceful conflict resolution. In a gaming landscape often saturated with aggression, the vision for *The Hearth and Harbour* offered an emotionally resonant alternative—a game where the ultimate victory is not conquering an enemy, but ensuring your community never has to face one.
A Hopeful Prospect
Since the February 2023 launch of *The Pale Beyond*, Saltstone Studios has not made any official announcements confirming *The Hearth and Harbour* is in development. However, the initial premise continues to resonate. It represents a promising and mature evolution of the RPG genre, proving that high-stakes tension and meaningful consequences can be achieved without a single sword swing. For players seeking a deeper, more thoughtful experience, the idea of building a community to wither a war remains a powerful and hopeful prospect we'd love to see brought to life.