Summary
Never before has Ken Levine, creator ofBioShock, experimented with roguelike elements in games, but that appears to be changing in his upcoming titleJudas. The general appeal of the roguelike genre is its replay value, unique challenge, and rewarding progression, all of which rely on the player repeating the same process over and over again, albeit typically with a stronger version of their character than before each time. Roguelike games are usually not focused on their story as much as their gameplay, as their gameplay loop is prioritized to keep players coming back for more. As such, a renowned storyteller such as Ken Levine now introducing roguelike elements inJudasmay seem like a step away from the narratives he is known for crafting. Fortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case.
WhileJudasappears to offer some satisfying gameplay, it also seems to be a highly story-driven experience. In fact, its roguelike elements are seamlessly integrated into the game’s story, almost prioritizing its narrative above the gameplay itself. UsingJudas' setting aboard the Mayflower, Levine seems to have constructed a narrative that effectively justifies the traditional roguelike elements present in the game, and, as usual, it’s bizarre.
How Judas' Narrative Backs Up Its Roguelike Elements
Judas' Setting Primes the Stage for Roguelike Gameplay
InJudas, the Mayflower is a city-sized colony ship floating in space, originally sent out as a way to save humanity by transporting it from a dying earth to another planet. Unfortunately, somewhere along the line, the machines aboard the Mayflower went haywire and began taking control of it. Now, as Judas, players wake up being “reprinted,” meaning they were dead before, and the story begins with them investigating what happened. This is where the game begins, and it is also whereJudas' roguelike elementsfind their footing.
On the Mayflower, there is advanced technology called “reprinting” that essentially behaves like a 3D printer, only it prints people instead. As the expedition from Earth to another planet is a multi-generational journey, reprinting allows people to be continually reborn by remaking them down to the molecular level — bones, tissue, and organs included. It’s a concept not unlikethe canceled HBO seriesWestworld, which sees people living out their wildest dreams via artificial consciousness, but it will undoubtedly present itself as an original idea inJudas. With this reprinting technology, players can be constantly reborn, which is typical of roguelike games. However,Judaswill also be taking on some of the other standout features of the genre.
How Judas' Roguelike Elements Will Come Into Play
Implanted into one of Judas' hands is a molecular recording device, which keeps track of and records her molecular state throughout her life. This is ultimately what the reprinting machine uses as a starting point for reprinting her. Because of this device, when players die inJudas, they will be allowed to improve Judas to some degree and even change the Mayflower itself. Levine has made it clear thatJudasis not a roguelite game and instead only uses elements from the genre, much like another ofKen Levine’s games,System Shock 2, which was a combination of FPS and RPG elements. More than anything else,Judasis what Levine refers to as a “Judas simulator.”
In a recent interview, Levine stated that death is not the end inJudas, but rather, players are “reprinted,” and they earn resources as they play to do that reprinting process. It is a concept Levine calls “failing forward,” which is whatroguelike gamesthrive on. Still,Judasis more than its gameplay, as it appears its narrative is more than enough to justify this loop. This unique “reprinting” system aboard the Mayflower and its intended purpose all contribute to the world Levine and Ghost Story Games have created inJudasand the innovative hybrid experience it offers.
