Tidewatch key art

Tidewatch

Press Kit — Riftide

A mystery RPG inspired by the Finnish summer. Everything here is free to use in coverage of the game. If you need something that isn't on this page, email riftidestudio@protonmail.com and we'll get it to you.

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Fact sheet

Title
Tidewatch
Developer
Riftide
Publisher
We're currently looking for a publisher for Tidewatch.
Based in
Helsinki, Finland
Founded
June 2026
Release date
To be announced
Platforms
PC (Windows)
Price
To be announced
Languages
English (interface, full audio, subtitles)
Steam
store.steampowered.com/app/4944010
Website
riftidestudio.com
Press contact
Pipariina Lehtonen — riftidestudio@protonmail.com

Descriptions

Three lengths, free to reproduce. Use whichever fits.

One line

Tidewatch is a mystery RPG inspired by the Finnish summer, where your crew's relationships shift the weather, your skills and turn-based combat.

Short — approx. 50 words

In Tidewatch, a mystery RPG inspired by the Finnish summer, you are the Head of the Coast Guard searching for your missing friend. Navigate your crew’s relationships from rivalry to romance, as your bonds shift the weather, your skills, and tactical turn-based combat.

Full

A Mystery RPG Inspired by the Finnish Summer

The Skerrywater Isles - an isolated archipelago where people have lost the connection to nature and one another. In Tidewatch, a character-driven mystery RPG, you are Vihma, Head of the Coast Guard. When your closest friend and local lighthouse keeper vanishes, you must lead the search. Choose which clues to follow, navigate the unpredictable currents of your crew's relationships, and uncover what lies beneath the depths.

Rivalry, romance or something in between?

Sometimes people are the greatest mystery of all. As a leader you are responsible for the team spirit of your crew. In Tidewatch these relationships actively affect the environment by shifting the weather and changing the tools you have available in combat. Whether you choose rivalry or romance, the consequences will ripple into the world around you.

Unique Turn-Based Combat

Free the restless ghosts of former islanders and appease the nature spirits angered by human neglect. In Tidewatch's tactical turn-based combat, emotions shape the battle.

  • Skills: Both you and your allies' skills shift based on your relationship with your crew, as well as the starting conditions of battle for both sides.
  • Words as Weapons: Often words can prove more powerful than any other skill or magic.

The Strange World of the Skerrywater Isles

Explore the haunted archipelago inspired by the Finnish nature and magical realism. The isles hold many secrets - and your choices affect what gets uncovered.

Key features

  • Character-Driven Mystery:Investigate the disappearance of the Lighthouse Keeper across a haunted archipelago.
  • Weather-Shifting Relationships: Build romance, rivalry, or trust with your crew to alter the weather and unlock skills in combat.
  • Emotion & Dialogue Combat: Battle restless ghosts and angered nature spirits in turn-based combat where crew bonds and words can turn the tide.
  • Tidewatch Missions: Take on optional side quests to help the locals of the Skerrywater Isles and untangle your crew's personal secrets.
  • Binocular Investigation: Scout the isles using your binoculars to spot hidden clues and things unseen by the naked eye.
  • Distinct Explorable Isles: Search across different isles, each with their own distinct atmosphere, hidden secrets, and clues.
  • Character Customization: Step into the boots of Coast Guard Head Vihma and customize your appearance to make the journey your own.
  • Folktale-Inspired: The world of Tidewatch is rooted in peculiar Finnish folktales and lore.

The weather system

How your crew feels about each other changes the weather, and the weather changes how you fight.

Every bond shapes your crew's morale. After all, a fight with a friend can make the whole world feel overcast; a quiet conversation with a rival might part the clouds. Either way, your strategy in combat changes.

The Skerrywater Isles under clear summer skies while the crew is on good terms
Before — a crew at ease
The same location under a lightning storm after the crew falls out
After — the same place, three really bad conversation later

Full-resolution versions of both images are in the asset pack.

Images

All images are free to use in coverage of Tidewatch. Full-resolution images are in the asset pack.

Screenshots

Logos & key art

Content warnings

Tidewatch contains content that may not be appropriate for all ages:

  • Descriptions of violence, death and mental health issues
  • Depictions and descriptions of alcohol and substance abuse
  • General mature themes, including non-sexual nudity and sexual content

Video & streaming policy

Riftide grants permission to record, stream and monetise video content featuring Tidewatch, including on YouTube, Twitch, TikTok and similar platforms. No further permission is required, and we will not issue content ID claims against coverage of the game.

Press keys

Tidewatch is early in development and there is no playable build available yet. If you'd like to be contacted when review keys go out, email us and we'll add you to the list.

riftidestudio@protonmail.com

About Riftide

Studio boilerplate

Riftide is an independent game studio based in Finland, founded by an experienced two-person team with backgrounds in game development, marketing and storytelling. The studio's mission is to craft unforgettable story-driven games: places to step into, experiences to feel, and stories that stay with you long after the game ends. Riftide aims to become a trusted creator of narrative-rich games that bring fresh and unique voices to the game studio landscape. Tidewatch is its first title.

Team

Petra Koponen

Petra Koponen

Co-founder · Game Director & Narrative Lead

Pipariina Lehtonen

Pipariina Lehtonen

Co-founder · Creative Developer & Marketing Lead

Contact

Press & businessriftidestudio@protonmail.com

Webriftidestudio.com

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