Ken Levine, the mastermind behind our beloved BioShock, surprises us once again, 12 years after his last work, BioShock Infinite. This comes amid the ongoing wait for BioShock 4, a project announced in 2019 that seems to have faced more setbacks than good news. Nevertheless, if we’re talking about good news, and considering Levine’s track record, we can surely call this title a true “spiritual successor” to BioShock. Yes, my friend, we’re talking about none other than Judas, an impressive first-person shooter you’ve undoubtedly seen in videos or news online.
Judas is the first project from Ghost Story Games, Ken Levine’s new studio. At first glance, there are clear similarities with the Irrational Games series in both aesthetics and core concept, but it’s important to note that Judas is neither related to nor set in the same universe. Instead, it aims to surprise us with innovative storytelling and a unique vision. Judging by what we’ve seen so far, all we can do is eagerly await the announcement of its final release date.
What Is Judas About?
The story of Judas unfolds aboard the Mayflower, a massive interstellar ship carrying the last remnants of humanity toward Proxima Centauri. At the helm of the ship are three main figures: Tom, whose primary goal is to preserve humanity in its original form; his wife, Nefertiti, a Nobel Prize winner who seeks to transform humanity into a race of robots free from imperfections; and their adopted daughter, Hope, who simply wishes to end her own existence. Society aboard the Mayflower is controlled by strict computer systems that mold and indoctrinate its citizens to be exemplary members, closely monitoring any deviations from expected behavior.
You take on the role of Judas, an engineer with what can only be described as a “troubled” past. Her mission is to repair broken relationships and prevent a revolution that could destroy the ship itself. The citizens of the Mayflower have been shaped into perfect, ever-vigilant citizens, but Judas defies this control, throwing the ship into chaos. The protagonist discovers that the passengers are not humans but robots, igniting an existential conflict that could lead to the community’s collapse long before they reach their destination.
Gameplay and References
In terms of gameplay, Judas presents itself as a first-person action-adventure, bearing a strong resemblance to Ken Levine’s previous works, such as System Shock 2 (1999), BioShock (2007), and BioShock Infinite (2013). It maintains the iconic blend of intense gunplay and special powers intertwined with a highly detailed and carefully crafted narrative. However, in this case, Judas aims to deliver an even more challenging experience, where player decisions hold significant weight in shaping the narrative. Unlike the primarily linear structure of BioShock, Judas introduces what’s been called a “LEGO narrative,” allowing the paths you choose and the decisions you make throughout the game to affect events and your relationships with the three leaders mentioned earlier. These leaders have vastly different goals, and whether you choose to confront, assist, or collaborate with them will lead to distinct gameplay and story outcomes.
Regarding its overall style, it’s impossible not to notice the similarities to the aforementioned references. The blend of powers and weaponry also makes a return. These powers offer the freedom to use environments creatively and devise strategies, particularly considering that Judas, our protagonist, is a hacking expert. This ability lets her “infect” enemies and manipulate them to her advantage, creating chaos throughout the ship. Additionally, there are noticeable parallels with the 2K series, especially in the colorful, cartoonish character designs. Although not overly exaggerated graphically, the game remains visually stunning thanks to its meticulous art direction.
With all the cards now on the table, it’s safe to say that many of us, myself included, are eagerly awaiting Judas’ release. But as we know, we’ll have to wait. So, in the meantime, why not head to the comments and share your thoughts on this highly enticing game? You know, gamer, we’ll be reading you! 😉
Images Source: Ghost Story Official YouTube Channel, Judas Official Website
