With debates about AI occurring currently, imagine living in a society ran by AI. And because of AI’s intervention, said society is perfect. D-Topia, a game developed by Marumittu Games and published by AnnaPurna Interactive does just that. However, there’s something darker lurking beneath the skin of this seemingly utopic world. It’s not all scheduled sunshine and rainbows in the world of D-Topia.
Number 46
Players take on the role as a Facilitator. The name is very on-the-nose as players actively facilitate the lives of others as well as the AI itself. You are also identified not with your name, Shiro, but with your number – 46. This is the case for all residents, assigned a number once accepted into the community. But you are human. One grown in a lab, as is most common, but still human. And that humanity bleeds into the role as far as players choose to allow it.
As questlines unfurl, players meet varying characters. All of which seem to be at odds with the perfection of the society around them. Some less (or more) than others. As time goes on, these “issues” start to beg the question of “is a perfect world what’s best for humanity?” Each have unique issues that Number 46 can help with, if players choose to. Decisions matter, with specific dialogue options garnering results that impact or impair the relationship between NPC and the Facilitator. There is even a puzzle of sorts to aid in making tough decisions, choices that shine a glaring light on the dark side of this utopia. More on the puzzles in a bit.
Players will find themselves stuck between the strict rules of the AI and the very human emotion of empathy. Choosing to do the “right thing” takes on a new meaning. The correct decision per the AI sometimes asks the player to curtail emotion and sympathy. Making the “choice for the betterment of all” can mean doing harm to the individual. Choosing to go with your humanity can mean walking that thin line of upsetting the AI….which does not come without consequence.
It’s not just these specific characters whose questlines you follow that start to show the unease in this world. Speaking with NPCs as you traverse the living spaces is crucial as is interacting with the large screens scattered throughout. Side conversations and slogans on monitors provide important context. This is where I first started to feel that something was off in this “perfect” world. I want to refrain from spoiling anything, but the more players interact with the world, the more it tells on itself.
Ready, Set, Solve
Solving puzzles is a core component of the gameplay in D-Topia. Players attend work daily, only a half day because of work/life balance requirements. That work consists of solving puzzles. There are multiple types of puzzles players can experience. From what I describe as “connecting the dots” to moving squares while doing math and more. I am not usually a puzzle-game player, but the puzzles in D-topia are new and refreshing. And as players progress, the difficulty increases. Core mechanics remain, but new ways to interact with the puzzles can require novel ways of solving them. The quicker and more successful you are, the higher your pay for the day, with options for overtime – yes, more puzzles. A choice I took every time. Not because I wanted more in-game currency, but because the puzzles are just that fun.
The puzzling doesn’t end with the workday. As a Facilitator, you have two distinct tasks. The first being to help the citizens of D-Topia. Helps comes in varying forms and can be as simple as guiding them to another area of the living space or making a choice that goes against the strict rules set in place by the AI system. When these decisions must be made, Number 46 enters a thought state that superimposes a decision tree over the thoughtful facilitator. Like dialogue options impacting relationships, so too do your choices here. Choosing one thing means missing out on another. Some choices come with warnings and while certain are more humane, defying the AI comes at a cost.
The second main task is assisting AI. Adorable bots fill the land of D-Topia and occasionally they require maintenance. This is where the mask completely comes off in D-Topia. Shiro can access something called the “Block Side”. When doing so the near sterile white of the world around you is plunged into a world of dark blues. The once pretty ambient music becomes the grinding of machine noise. Certain robots no longer appear so cute but show off their “actual” form. While not sinister in nature, the differences are uncanny. While on this “dark side” players will encounter puzzles to solve that will fix whatever issue is ailing the wayward AI. Keep a keen eye out as there are also collectibles to find that are not visible while on the “normal” side.
Verdict
D-Topia is an incredible game, from its art style to its narrative and yes, I even loved the puzzles. What starts off as a world that demands you love AI intervention to achieve perfection, quickly becomes a critique on the lack of humanity that can come with a machine-driven world. The characters are charming and reflect the dissonance of attempting to be human in that flawless world. Even being a genre I normally don’t play, D-Topia joins my personal favorites from 2026. Beneath the bright colors and promises of paradise, lies an uncomfortable truth waiting for players.
Jamie’s Score: 9/10
D-Topia releases July 14, 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, Switch 2, Epic Games Store, and Steam.
