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The Invincible (video game)

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The Invincible
Developer(s)Starward Industries
Publisher(s)11 Bit Studios
Director(s)Marek Markuszewski
Composer(s)Brunon Lubas
EngineUnreal Engine 4
Platform(s)
ReleaseNovember 6, 2023
Genre(s)Adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

The Invincible is an adventure video game developed by Starward Industries and published by 11 Bit Studios. It is an adaptation of Stanisław Lem's 1964 novel The Invincible. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on November 6, 2023.

Gameplay

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The game is an adventure video game played from a first-person perspective. In the game, the player assumes control of astrobiologist Yasna (voiced by Daisy May),[1] who must explore the planet Regis III for her missing crewmates while facing an unknown threat. Yasna has access to several tools, such as a scanner and a handheld telescope that can be used to identify objects and aid her survival in the alien landscape.[2] The developer described the game as a "branching narrative with an emphasis on player choice".[3] Other characters include astrogator Novik (voiced by Jason Baughan),[4] who guides Yasna throughout her journey on Regis III.[2]

Development

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The Invincible has been developed by Polish independent developer Starward Industries, which was founded in 2018.[5] Members of the team had experience working for triple-A game development companies such as CD Projekt RED and Techland. The game is an adaptation of The Invincible, a science fiction novel written by Polish author Stanisław Lem. The team chose to adapt this novel because they felt that the book is "stunningly picturesque" and that it "reads as a ready-made movie script". Despite this, the game is not a one-to-one adaptation. While the story is largely the same and the game features several returning characters, the game's main cast of characters, including the playable protagonist, are original. For the game's art style, the team was heavily influenced by atompunk aesthetics, citing works from Chris Foss, Chesley Bonestell, and Syd Mead as their inspirations. In addition, the team also researched on Soviet designs of spaceships, vehicles and tools to fit the game's retro-futuristic style.[6]

The game was described to be a science-fiction thriller for its use of emotional suspense rather than a straightforward horror game. Firewatch served as one of the team's inspirations, especially how gameplay was handled during conversations with other non-playable characters.[7] Road 96 was also an important influence, as it showed that there was "space for narrative experiences that are more mature and philosophical".[8] The game's director Marek Markuszewski added that the game's narrative was "unhurried" but "very intense", and that the tone of the game was "bitter, but not without a spark of hope for the future".[9]

Starward Industries officially announced the game in September 2020 and was set to be released in 2021.[10] In June 2022, Polish publisher 11 Bit Studios, the company behind This War of Mine and Frostpunk, announced that it had partnered with Starward Industries to serve as the game's publisher and debut the game's first gameplay video.[11] The game was released for Windows PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S on November 6, 2023.[12][13]

Reception

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According to review aggregator website Metacritic, The Invincible received "mixed or average" reviews.[15][16][17]

References

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  1. ^ Walker, John (10 November 2023). "Don't Miss Out On This Hard Sci-Fi Gem". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on 10 November 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b Bolding, Jon (7 October 2022). "The Invincible Hands-On Preview: For The Love of Sci-Fi". IGN. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  3. ^ Trinca, Jim (6 October 2023). "The Invincible will ask much of the audience, but the rewards could be well worth it". VG 247. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  4. ^ Norris, Jesse (2 November 2023). "Review | The Invincible". XboxEra. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  5. ^ Batchelor, James (16 September 2020). "Former CD Projekt and Techland devs form new studio Starward Industries". Gameindustry.biz. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  6. ^ Avard, Alex (15 September 2020). "The Invincible is a sci-fi thriller coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X from a new studio of former CD Projekt Red and Techland developers". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  7. ^ Denzer, TJ (2 October 2020). "Starward Industries CEO talks The Invincible, influences, & creative liberty". Shacknews. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  8. ^ Castle, Katharine (4 April 2023). "The Invincible is way more exciting now I know it 'isn't a 1:1 adaptation' of Stanislaw Lem's sci-fi thriller". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  9. ^ Cripe, Michael (15 February 2022). "The Invincible Interview: A Completely Immersive, Consequential Retro-Futuristic Adventure". The Escapist. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  10. ^ Guisao, Jason (15 September 2020). "The Invincible Is An Exciting New Sci-Fi Thriller For Next-Gen Consoles". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  11. ^ "'The Invincible' as a new title in the Company's publishing portfolio". 11 Bit Studios. 22 June 2023. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  12. ^ Romano, Sal (12 June 2023). "The Invincible delayed to 2023, first gameplay showcase". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  13. ^ Cripe, Michael (21 August 2023). "The Invincible Release Date Trailer Reveals November Launch". The Escapist. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  14. ^ "The Invincible Reviews". OpenCritic. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  15. ^ a b "The Invincible PC Critic Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  16. ^ a b "The Invincible PlayStation 5 Critic Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  17. ^ a b "The Invincible Xbox Series X Critic Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
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