Summary
A brand-new announcement trailer has just arrived forNew Arc Line, a steampunk fantasy CRPG coming in 2024, and the trailer’s striking visual style is strongly reminiscent of the classic steampunk FPSBioShock Infinite. At time of writing, very little information about this new project has been revealed, beyond the teasing hints shown in the announcement trailer.
Given the immense popularity of 2013’sBioShock Infinite,and the enduring impact it has had on the gaming world, it is no surprise that the steampunk Americana aesthetic ofNew Arc Line’s announcement trailer is drawing comparisons toInfinite. A very similar phenomenon occurred followingthe announcement of inXile’sClockwork Revolution, a steampunk RPG which was also noted for its visual and thematic similarities toBioShock Infinite.
RELATED:New Tin Hearts Trailer Teases Steampunk Elements
In terms of content, the short trailer forNew Arc Linebegins by introducing the game’s setting, the fantastical city of New Arc, before delving into some brief snippets of gameplay footage and ending with a teasing glimpse of a masked, hooded character who may be the antagonist of the story. The visuals of New Arc do call to mind the distinctive style ofBioShock Infinite’s floating city of Columbia, and the trailer’s subtly menacing voiceover narration hints at some similar narrative themes, such as the idea of tyranny and dysfunction hidden beneath a veneer of progress and exceptionalism. It is too early to tell whether these commonalities go any deeper than the surface: the brief hints fans were given in this announcement trailer don’t reveal enough about the game’s story to suggest whether it will attempt to reach the same levels ofmind-boggling depth asBioShock Infinite’s iconic narrative.
The team behindNew Arc Lineis Dreamate Games, a Czech-Ukrainian indie studio that is developingNew Arc Lineas its debut title. The game’s official website describes it as a “Story-Rich Single-player RPG, Set During the Gilded Age of Magic and Technology.” The studio is aiming for a 2024 release, although a more precise launch date has not yet been announced. Gamers intrigued by the announcement will have to wait for further revelations to find out howNew Arc Linecompares to otherfantastic CRPGs released in recent years.
For now, theNew Arc Lineannouncement trailer has revealed just enough to get people excited about the project. Fans ofBioShock Infinitewill likely be hoping that this project can recapture some of what they loved about that classic title, especially considering thatBioShock 4appears to be trapped in development hell. It remains to be seen whether Dreamate will attempt to lean into these comparisons with future announcements, or if it will strive to establish a fresh, distinct identity for its flagship project.
New Arc Lineis coming in 2024 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
