Starward Industries’The Invincibleshares its name with the iconic 1964 hard sci-fi novel by Polish writer and futurologist Stanislaw Lem as a video game adaptation of the book, an approach somewhat few and far between in the industry.Trailers forThe Invincibleshowcase a gorgeously rendered planetary setting of Regis III, revealing robotic drones, retro-futuristic tools, and more through its first-person perspective as Astrobiologist Yasna.
Yet, some players might wonder what type of gameThe Invincibleis and what to expect from its gameplay when considering potential comparisons with the walking simulator sub-genre. However, in a recent Game Rant interview, CEO Marek Markuszewski explained whyThe Invincibleis not a walking simulator, outlining its core gameplay elements and more.
What Type Of Game Is The Invincible
Thewalking simulator game genretypically prioritizes simple gameplay and atmosphere over features that tend to drive many video games, like action, combat, and storytelling. As the name suggests, players often walk from place to place, exploring their environment for things like objects while following a story over features like complex puzzles or intensive, controls-focused gameplay. In contrast,The Invincibleis a story-driven adventure game that Markuszewski explained is not a walking simulator, with several features that the team hopes to set it apart from the walking sim genre. These include a deeper narrative focus, a “co-created” story through a “dynamic dialog system” and increased visual fidelity. As Markuszewski went on to explain,
Walking simulators are usually imagined as games with little gameplay and narrative value, with a lower production budget and scope. In our case, we put an effort to create a realistic, hard sci-fi experience both in the gameplay, the visuals, and the narrative. You will interact with atompunk devices, robots and machines vastly different from today’s vision of the future, which adds to the overall excitement from playing the game.
While somewalking simulators do have a deep storyline,The Invincible’s player-choice-driven dialogue system is the driving force of the gameplay and story as players explore, adding a layer of complexity with players getting to make both small and consequential decisions throughout the experience. That could mean deciding how to reach one point of the map to another, including using a vehicle, shaping relationships with NPCs, or even determining the fates of others. This gameplay places a more active, player-lead slant on immersion compared to the approach typically taken in walking simulators.
How Gameplay Works In The Invincible And The Role Of Combat
It is also important to considerhowThe Invincible’s gameplay remains true to its sci-fi rootsas a novel adaptation, such as robots that help players find clues in the world, while also building in new mechanics like the dialogue system. For instance, players can interact with devices rather than only discover them as they explore, bringing in puzzle-solving elements. WhileThe Invincibleis predominantly narrative-driven, gameplay designer Mariusz Antkiewicz also explained it does contain some combat moments with weapons present in the game, adding,
Apart from the Weyr gun, you will also encounter another well-known weapon from The Invincible novel… But we wouldn’t want to spoil too much…
Additionally, when consideringThe Invincible’s gameplay replayability, it’s also not designed asa game to play in one sitting, with Markuszewski stating players can replay to experience different choices to see how the story changes as a game with multiple endings.
The Invincible
WHERE TO PLAY
You are a highly qualified, sharp-witted astrobiologist named Yasna. Being entangled in a space race, you and your crew end up on the unexplored planet Regis III. The scientific journey quickly turns into a search mission for lost crewmates. Follow its trail, but be fully aware that every decision you make can bring you closer to danger.On her journey, Yasna will face decisions that will shape the outcome of the story. Help her make difficult choices and witness one of 11 possible endings to the deeply philosophical story.Discover fragments of what’s lost and report to your Astrogator. Let his voice aid you during hard times when humanity’s greatest threat emerges. The latter will force you to rethink mankind’s ambitions and biases. Go on - make decisions, follow the mystery… but remember not to underestimate the brutal simplicity and brilliance of evolution.
