OKAY SO i miiight have an idea for a game like this!!! i reallyreally hope this doesn't override too much of your vision, my first instinct was just to be inspired by solarpunk, specifically empathizing the more 'punk' aspect of solarpunk- at least at the start of the game ;w; here's my take!! I call this 'Critter and Company' :D
"Welcome to Shepherd's Creek! You play as Critter, a fretful, yet radically hopeful anarchist opossum who strives to rise against his oppressors and make the world a better place- starting with his home town. Get to know your neighbors, do little tasks, resist against the oppressive nature of those above you and your newfound friends- and realize that just maybe, community is the key to upward growth."
As mentioned, Shepherd's Creek starts out as something akin to our current state of life- and Critter yearns to fix that. Thus, he starts out with getting to know his neighbors- the dearly divorced mellow-mannered owl and bitter-tongued vulture still living together, the homeless coyote with dry humor and a lost leg, the raccoon with a knack for science and general hijinks... And of course lots more- these are merely examples. Really, getting to know all the neighbors he can.
Then, Critter starts doing little tasks for them- not necessarily asked of him, just out of the good of his heart. Maybe he learns to carve a wooden rocking chair with his own bare fingers, after hearing the owl broke hers. Maybe he puts together a care package for the coyote, after he remarks that he's been barely able to get food the past couple of days. Maybe he spends all day looking for bits and bobs to hand over to the raccoon, because she's been antsy trying to put her crafty skills to good use. (And maybe, to add to the punk aspect, he gets a pin to add to his jacket for every task he completes!)
And perhaps then, after earning their trust, he builds a little community of genuine friends. Maybe he learns that turns out, the owl and vulture were previously stuck in a lavender marriage- the owl being an elder lesbian and the vulture being an old gay man- and have only just recently been able to get a divorce, though they still live together because they're still best friends, and the closest link the other has. Maybe he gets the story on how the coyote's leg got crushed by some rich asshole's car, and how his biggest complaint is the smell of gas as they drove away- and the weird feeling of a phantom limb. Maybe the raccoon offers to build solar panels, after Critter mentions his problems with certain forms of electricity, and shares a little story on how she pissed off a cop trying to 'illegally' install them on a friend's house.
Maybe even then, these small acts of generosity and connection inspire his neighbors to resist ruination. The owl finds a pretty crow who shares her delight in constructing a community garden, and 'illegally' planting fruit trees near public sidewalks. Maybe the vulture unlearns his chronic doomerism, and takes part in various protests, to work towards a better future. Maybe the coyote gets the last laugh and snatches the rich asshole's car, taking a newfound love in tearing it apart for parts, building bikes for some of the neighbors' kids with them. Maybe the raccoon takes some trans friends under her wing (Critter included, surprise!), and offers to single-handedly perform all the gender-affirming care she can since the law turned its back on them.
And maybe, just maybe, after all the effort and hardwork is rewarded with a caring system, perhaps the game doesn't end, it's just simpler, calmer, cozier. Daily little tasks are silly and lighthearted, almost sitcom-like. A maker space has opened in the town. Solar panels are on every roof. The coyote finally has a home to call his own, as does every homeless animal- electric vehicles are the standard, now, so he doesn't have to smell gas anymore. The owl marries the crow with no fear, and the vulture is her best man. The community meal hall opens, happy to accommodate all diets and allergies. The rich has fallen, equality has risen. All is well. Critter and Company have resisted dystopia.
~~~
i am happy to do a couple of character designs, if you're open to all of this!! <3