Immersive sim RetroSpace, a game described as a spiritual successor to '70s-era System Shock, is slated for a October 1, 2026 launch, developers The Wild Gentlemen and publisher Kwalee announced. The game casts players in the role of a 3D-printed clone janitor trapped on the Aurora space station, which has been consumed by a sentient black hole.
Players will need to utilize a blend of stealth, combat, and what the developers term "discopunk" ingenuity to overcome mutated flora and fauna, as well as the station's automated security. The Aurora station is designed as a metroidvania-style environment with a central hub, secret pathways, and shortcuts. Its temporal instability, causing it to shift between time periods, is presented as a factor that can be both a hindrance and a tactical advantage.
RetroSpace incorporates a "mutamod" system that grants players abilities such as growing tentacles, possessing enemies, or becoming temporarily invisible. These enhancements come with potential drawbacks, risking mental or physical degradation. The game also features a permadeath-like mechanic where players respawn as new clones upon death, but must retrieve their equipment from their previous corpse, with each new clone potentially exhibiting "degenerations."
The Wild Gentlemen are known for the Chicken Police series and Moses & Plato: Last Train to Clawville, games often characterized by strong animal motifs and distinct period aesthetics. RetroSpace is available to wishlist on Steam.