The world of science fiction role-playing games is thriving, especially for those set in the vast expanse of outer space like the highly anticipated “Judas”. This game marks the long-awaited return of Ken Levine, who surprised and captivated players with the release of BioShock Infinite back in 2013. First revealed during the State of Play stream on January 31, 2024, this first-person shooter is being promoted with strong backing from Sony, although it is actually a third-party title set to launch on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Notably, it is not expected to be available on Game Pass on release day. Related: Upcoming games: Starfield, Star Wars Jedi Survivor, Mass Effect 4 & more
Image: Ghost Story Games From “Judas”. (Image credit: Ghost Story Games) So, aside from the obvious comparisons to BioShock, it’s intriguing to consider what “Judas” truly has in store. Two trailers released so far depict a conflicted woman possibly responsible for the turmoil in the rapidly deteriorating setting of the story. She claims to be “freeing” the inhabitants, but what if she is mistaken? The narrative reveals that the ship, named Mayflower, is essentially a city in space, controlled by computer-operated pilots, a familiar trope in sci-fi. However, it seems that Levine and his team are aiming to revise the typical expectations of futuristic sci-fi tales. Notably, Ghost Story Games was established with the objective of crafting “fresh narratives” within the context of AAA video games. Accordingly, the trailers portray a grandeur and intensity surpassing their BioShock predecessors, suggesting potential to challenge established norms in the genre. The game is set to incorporate mechanics reminiscent of BioShock, pitting players (equipped with abilities akin to Plasmids) against a deranged mechanism. Is this a bold fusion of BioShock and System Shock, emphasizing player agency? Such speculation is not unwarranted, given its potential popularity. “Judas” has yet to have a confirmed release date but is slated for launch on PC via the Epic Games Store and Steam, as well as on Xbox and Playstation 5.
