You know when your friendship takes a dark turn…
Have you ever experienced a situation where one of your close friends suddenly transforms into a villain, causing chaos in your life? Well, that’s the premise of Ken Levine’s upcoming game, Judas. In this game, you have the power to determine who the main antagonist will be based on your actions.
The game introduces a unique villainy system, which Levine and the team at Ghost Story Games delve into in their first dev log for Judas. Since its announcement in 2022, we’ve only caught glimpses of this non-linear, BioShock-inspired game with its eerie atmosphere and intriguing characters. However, this dev log hints at more frequent updates to come.
Prior to this update, we had heard about the ‘big three’ characters who play pivotal roles aboard the massive spaceship Mayflower. Now, Levine reveals that Judas incorporates elements inspired by the nemesis system in Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor.
Unlike traditional games where the villain is predetermined, in Judas, you start off as friends with the big three characters. Your choices and actions throughout the game will influence their perception of you, eventually leading one of them to turn against you and become the primary antagonist. Levine describes this dynamic as follows:
In Judas, you’ll form deep connections with these characters. Losing one of them should feel like losing a close friend. We want to challenge players with tough decisions and make the process of choosing a villain difficult. The big three will compete for your loyalty, offering bribes, assistance in battles, gossip about each other, and sharing their darkest secrets. Ultimately, you must decide whom to trust and whom to betray.
Furthermore, the characters will assess your gameplay style, including your approach to combat, hacking, and crafting. So, don’t be surprised if your actions have consequences in the game, such as one character using their newfound powers to thwart your progress.
While this concept sounds intriguing, there are concerns about players feeling blindsided when a friend turns foe or being pushed into a villainous arc in a contrived manner. Additionally, creating a dynamic villain based on player interactions may sacrifice the depth and complexity of a character specifically designed as a villain. Balancing reactive storytelling with a compelling narrative is crucial for Judas.
As we eagerly await the release of Judas, Levine refrains from announcing a specific launch date to avoid potential delays. In the meantime, fans can admire the captivating key art crafted by renowned American movie poster artist Drew Struzan.
