At the last bit Xbox Games Showcase, Wasteland developer InXile Entertainment revealed Clockwork Revolution, and immediately BioShock Infinite comparisons were made. After all, the game is a first-person adventure set in an elaborately-designed steampunk world, but when it comes to gameplay, is BioShock really the best comparison? Not really, according to Clockwork Revolution director Chad Moore, who compares the game to more complex action RPGs like Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines and the somewhat more obscure Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura.
With deep world building, compelling narrative, crunchy RPG systems, engaging gameplay, and massive reactivity, I’ve always described @ClockworkGame as the love child of #arcanum and @VBloodlines. pic.twitter.com/qp51n2a24L
— Chad Moore (@Pappylicious) July 8, 2023
In other words, anyone concerned that InXile are leaving behind their RPG roots in pursuit of mainstream success with Clockwork Revolution probably shouldn’t be. This isn’t just going to be a pretty shooter with some interesting world-building. If the game is indeed like Bloodlines and Arcanum, it should offer a solid amount of RPG depth a player freedom. And inXile has a decent shot of recreating the VtM Bloodies and Arcanum magic — Chad Moore was a designer on Bloodlines and Clockwork Revolution lead designer Jason Anderson worked on Arcanum.
Haven’t been keeping up with Clockwork Revolution? Here’s a quick official description…
“Embark on a grand adventure in the steampunk metropolis of Avalon, wielding an incredible invention that allows you to travel into the past and influence key events, altering the course of history. Clockwork Revolution is a time-bending steampunk first-person RPG. After stumbling across an incredible invention that allows you to travel into the past, you discover the city you call home—the vibrant steam-powered metropolis of Avalon—has been carefully crafted through the alteration of historical events. By traveling back to key moments, your interactions and choices will have a butterfly effect on the deep, narrative-driven world and characters of Avalon, causing them to change and react in unprecedented ways.”
Clockwork Revolution is coming to PC and Xbox Series X/S. The game is “coming in due time,” which could mean anything, but I wouldn’t expect it anytime too soon. What do you think? Could Clockwork Revolution be a sleeper hit for Xbox and a breakthrough moment for InXile Entertainment? Or do you need to see more before you get excited?
