BOSTON, MA – It’s been over ten years since the last reboot of the popular video game franchise BioShock, and fans have been eagerly awaiting news of a sequel. While an official follow-up has not been announced, there is hope on the horizon for fans of the franchise. A new game called Judas is set to capture the essence of BioShock, and it’s being developed by Ken Levine, the creator of the beloved franchise.
First unveiled during the 2022 Game Awards, Judas has been generating buzz and anticipation since its initial announcement. The lack of an official release date has left fans speculating, with the closest information coming from a statement by Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, who indicated a planned launch in March 2025. However, with no official confirmation from the developers, the actual release date remains uncertain.
In terms of platform availability, Judas is set to launch on PC via the Epic Games Store and Steam, as well as on Xbox and Playstation 5. There has been no mention of a Switch version as of now, but with a potential 2025 release, it may be a possibility for the rumored Switch successor.
Yes, a trailer for Judas is already available, having made its debut at the 2022 Game Awards. While the original trailer focused on establishing the game’s sci-fi setting, a more detailed look at the gameplay and storyline was showcased in a subsequent trailer during the January 2024 State of Play event.
The storyline of Judas remains shrouded in mystery, with a sci-fi aesthetic that sets it apart from the BioShock series. The setting described in a post on the PlayStation Blog alludes to a spacefaring city called the Mayflower, where citizens are under constant surveillance and control. The game promises a narrative with a new cast of characters and a level of player agency that goes beyond what previous games from Levine’s studio have offered.
From the gameplay footage available, it’s evident that Judas will draw heavily from the BioShock series, a pattern that is to be expected given Levine’s involvement. The game will feature a first-person im-sim shooter gameplay style, with a protagonist wielding a combination of traditional firearms and energy-based abilities reminiscent of BioShock‘s Plasmids. This mix of combat and environmental manipulation marks a promising continuation of the trademark gameplay elements of the BioShock franchise.
A significant development in Judas is the introduction of a more non-linear story experience, a departure from the linear narratives typically associated with Levine’s games. This move is aimed at granting players greater agency in shaping the story, an approach that promises a fresh and engaging gameplay experience.