Penny Arcade: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness launches this Wednesday on the XBLA, PC, Linux, and Mac. Aside from a long and fairly odd title, this game is boasting a very unique take on RPG gameplay, think dungeon master style dice rolling action. This is a labor of love for these two guys that has been brewing now for 2 years, so look for more Gabe and Tycho and characters from their universe. Only thing that has me apprehensive is the price tag of it, 1600 points or $20, can be kind of steep. The Penny Arcade guys explain that this isn’t your normal XBLA title but more of an immersive game that will take at least 10 hours to finish. This is also the first installment of a total of 4 titles.

Listen to the PA guys over at Major Nelson as well to get a better idea of what you can expect.

Here is the official word:

Discover the mysteries of New Arcadia with Gabe and Tycho in “Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One,” available on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (1:00 a.m. PDT).

The first episodic RPG-Adventure game to grace Xbox LIVE Arcade, “Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One” is the result of a collaboration between Hothead Games and Penny Arcade. The first episode sends players to a deranged 1920s comic-book-meets-pulp-horror universe called New Arcadia. Armed with unconventional weaponry, players join forces with Gabe and Tycho of the Startling Developments Detective Agency to make war on bizarre enemies and solve the mysteries hidden deep in the sinister heart of New Arcadia.

“Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One” offers players the ability to design their own customizable character, a dynamic turn-based combat system and the ability to transfer your customized character’s stats and inventories to future episodes, or start fresh with each episode. Fans of Penny Arcade will appreciate the authenticity of the game, which features distinctive artwork and characters designed by Mike “Gabe” Krahulik and a story and dialogue written by Jerry “Tycho” Holkins.

Developed by Hothead Games, “Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One” will be available worldwide (with the exception of Korea) for 1600 Microsoft Points and is rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB for all platforms.