Clockwork Revolution: Embracing Absurdity and RPG Freedom in a Unique Time-Twisting Adventure
Remember that hilarious scene in BioShock Infinite where everyone has a wildly different idea of what Booker DeWitt looks like? Well, the upcoming Clockwork Revolution seems to be taking that idea and running with it, albeit in a very different way. The game isn't necessarily highlighting the dangers of narrow-mindedness, but showcasing the incredible flexibility of its character creation tools.
While it might look like a first-person shooter at first glance, think again! At its core, Clockwork Revolution is a full-blown RPG in the vein of Wasteland and Planescape: Torment. You get to define your character's background, choose traits like "Street Stalker" or "Steam Whisperer," and allocate attribute points to shape their skills and resistances. And the coolest part? Your time-traveling shenanigans will have real consequences, altering the very fabric of the city around you.
The game's over-the-top tone actually becomes a strength when it comes to the RPG mechanics. It allows for character decisions that go beyond the usual genre tropes. In fact, Clockwork Revolution seems to share more DNA with The Outer Worlds 2, Obsidian's upcoming sequel, than with BioShock Infinite. Both games emphasize reactive world-building and the creation of truly unique and quirky characters. For example, in The Outer Worlds 2, you might be a sky marshal with a dark past, or a fraud who got lucky once. The possibilities are endless!
What really sets these games apart is their willingness to embrace absurdity. Take Flaws in The Outer Worlds 2, for instance. If you choose "Bad Knees," you'll move faster, but your joints will pop every time you stand up, alerting nearby enemies. Or, if you're a Kleptomaniac, your character might just steal something from a shop without warning, leaving you to explain yourself to the guards. These are the kinds of decisions that can lead to some truly memorable and hilarious moments.
Clockwork Revolution seems to be following a similar path, judging by the trailer where the protagonist repeatedly ignores a menacing shopkeeper to talk to his underling, with disastrous results. It's these kinds of unexpected and funny scenarios that make the game so appealing. Ultimately, the zaniness of these settings helps to keep the RPG genre fresh and exciting, pushing it in new and unexpected directions. Now, I'm just waiting to create my own criminal in Clockwork Revolution, with the help of a robot constable.
Source: IGN