If you said to me, there’s a game coming out that’s a cross of Bioshock and Dishonored with it’s own identity, in an “industrial Victorian, neo-baroque extravagance with futuristic cyberpunk elements”, I think I would lose my mind. And, here we are, and I am officially losing my mind! Welcome to Brightville was revealed recently, and for me, it looks and sounds nothing short of amazing!
Set in the mysterious city of Brightville, where magic and steampunk technology collide. Right, that sounds good, right?! You’ll play as a unique automaton that is unaffected by the presumably nefarious AI that controls the city.
You’ll get to try out and mess around with abilities and form relationships with different characters. The world around you will react based on your decisions. The description of the game proclaims that “every action shapes the world around you”.
Just check out this excellent gameplay reveal trailer:
Following on from the heavily Britishised Atomfall, I’m excited that there’s a real cockney vibe going on in the characters you see in the trailer. Particularly sinister, especially in the robot that grabs you at the end of the trailer.
Contrast Games
Developed by Contrast Games, Welcome to Brightville is an “emergent immersive sim”. It promises stealth, combat or manipulations as means to navigate the city’s challenges. Magic is part of your weaponry, and you will use both offensive and defensive magic to defeat foes and manipulate the environment.
Music is a key part of Welcome to Brightville’s identity. Your actions are punctuated by the soundtrack, as can be seen (heard) in the trailer. The characters you encounter sing, bringing a musical element to the story (oh my word!!!!!). The absolute musical theatre nerd within me is super excited for a musical cast of characters!
Alas, there’s a long wait for Welcome to Brightville as it is not due to release until 2027. It will release on PC and consoles (which consoles, however, were not specified).
Until then, I think I may well replay all the Bioshocks, all the Dishonored and will definitely play Lies of P: Interlude while I wait. Very much my most anticipated game, as of right now! It feels like exactly the sort of game we need in the industry. There are loads of great-looking games, of course, but something that just hits a little differently is missing,for me anyway.
With question marks hanging over a Bioshock 4 and Judas, we’re left a little wanting in terms of Bioshock-esque type games, and I’m hoping Welcome to Brightville will fill that gap, albeit in like two years.
Are you excited by the reveal? What do you like about Welcome to Brightville? Is there anything you’d like to see?
