A New Sci-Fi Narrative-Driven Shooter from BioShock Creator Ken Levine: Judas
3 min read
BioShock creator Ken Levine’s latest project, Judas, has been in development for quite some time. The game, which is being developed by Ghost Story Games, was first officially unveiled during the 2022 Game Awards. Recently, during the January 2024 State of Play event, a new trailer for Judas was revealed, providing a deeper look into the game’s setting, story, and gameplay.
Judas is a first-person sci-fi action game set aboard the Mayflower, a spacefaring city where citizens are trained to tear each other apart for even the most minor infractions. The leaders tried to turn the protagonist, Judas, into a model citizen, but he sparked a devastating revolution to tear it all down. The trailer showcases the game’s dark and gritty atmosphere, with a focus on narrative-driven gameplay and choice-driven decision making.
The trailer opens with a voiceover, “In a world where every decision you make affects how the story unfolds, you are Judas.” The camera then pans over the Mayflower, revealing its sprawling cityscape and the chaos that ensues within. We see various characters interacting with each other, some friendly, some hostile, and some indifferent. The trailer then cuts to gameplay footage, showcasing Judas’ abilities and the combat system.
The gameplay footage reveals that Judas is armed with a variety of weapons, including a shotgun and a plasma rifle. The combat system appears to be fast-paced and intense, with enemies swarming the player and requiring quick reflexes and strategic thinking. The trailer also showcases Judas’ ability to hack machines, which can be used to gain access to new areas or disable enemy defenses.
The trailer also hints at a deeper narrative, with Judas being the driver of every event in the story. The characters we meet in the trailer are just a few of the many we will encounter throughout the game, and each one will have their own unique story and motivations. The trailer ends with the tagline, “Who is Judas?” leaving us with more questions than answers.
Judas is currently in development for PS5, with plans to release on PC and Xbox Series X/S as well. The game was originally announced to be released before the end of March 2025, but no official release date has been announced yet. Fans of BioShock and narrative-driven shooters are eagerly awaiting the game’s release, and the new trailer has only fueled their excitement.
Ghost Story Games was founded by Ken Levine to build upon the legacy of System Shock 2, BioShock, and BioShock Infinite. With Judas, they have created an entirely new world and set of characters while exploring different approaches to single-player, narrative first-person shooters. The game promises to offer a rich and immersive story, with every decision the player makes affecting how the story unfolds.
In conclusion, Judas is an exciting new project from BioShock creator Ken Levine and Ghost Story Games. The new trailer provides a deeper look into the game’s setting, story, and gameplay, leaving fans eagerly anticipating its release. With its dark and gritty atmosphere, fast-paced combat, and choice-driven decision making, Judas is shaping up to be a must-play for fans of the genre. Stay tuned for more updates on Judas and other upcoming games.
