We just lately introduced our debut sport, Empyreal, coming to Xbox Sequence X|S in 2025, and we want to let you know just a little extra in regards to the sport’s setting and inspirations.
Empyreal is an motion RPG in a richly detailed sci-fi fantasy universe. Whereas the setting is sci-fi, that includes futuristic expertise and intergalactic civilizations, the texture and temper is extra fantasy. And although expertise replaces the “magic” from a conventional fantasy setting, the supernatural and the divine play a major function within the lore and story of this universe.
The sport begins along with your character arriving on a hitherto unexplored planet, solely to find the remnants of a misplaced civilisation. What’s extra, it quickly turns into clear that, although historical, this civilisation made breakthroughs and discoveries which can be far, far faraway from humanity’s understanding of the fashionable world.
Quickly, you might be confronted with a looming and inscrutable monolith. Why is it right here? Who constructed it? What’s it for? And what energy does it comprise?
Naturally, we received’t be answering these questions for you right here and now – these discoveries (and extra) are so that you can make if you play for your self. Nevertheless, what we want to share are a few of the esoteric references that influenced a few of the themes within the story, and the relevance they maintain even to the fashionable world.
Embracing a Paradox
Whereas the universe of Empyreal is just not immediately based mostly on or associated to a particular tradition or mythology from historical past, there may be one determine that represents an essential concept that permeates a core theme of the narrative within the sport – the traditional Greek god, Dionysus.
Dionysus is often portrayed as a drunken social gathering animal in a lot of contemporary pop-culture media, however in his seminal work “Dionysus: Fantasy and Cult”, classical philologist Walter Otto paints a way more full and complicated image.
Whereas there may be reality in Dionysus being the god of wine and the pageant, he was additionally the god of insanity and loss of life. Though at first this will appear a perplexing juxtaposition, is there some reality we are able to be taught from it? Otto claims that in “The visage of each true God is a visage of the World”. In different phrases, even in fable, we invariably discover an correct perception into the character of the world.
Within the case of Dionysus, he represents the paradox of duality. The understanding that life and loss of life, insanity and sweetness and battle and creativity are opposites, and but additionally pre-requisites for one another. Embracing this paradox is a core philosophy behind Empyreal – to see the universe as each a “Mystic Temple and a Corridor of Doom” (an concept launched by Thomas Carlyle in his textual content, Traits) and to just accept this twin nature in its totality. This life-affirming perspective is called the “Tragic View”.
Empyreal doesn’t characteristic an encroaching however ill-defined “darkness”, or a “corruption of the land”. Nor does it characteristic a pantomime villain of inexplicable evil for no different motive than to have an “evil antagonist”. As a substitute, the story and characters are designed to immediate cautious reflection on the character of humanity, our place within the universe and what it actually takes to ensure the way forward for mankind.
Exploring the Human Situation
Now, simply because Empyreal doesn’t characteristic a “massive unhealthy” intent on destroying the world for no matter motive, that doesn’t imply the sport is with out battle. As earlier than although, the intent is for this battle to mirror the battle that life itself invariably presents.
Unsurprisingly, you aren’t the one one invested within the exploration of this misplaced civilisation and its achievements. Once you arrive on the planet, it’s ostensibly to supply a reduction effort to a beleaguered expedition that has already been there for 2 lengthy years, with little progress and innumerable setbacks to indicate for it.
One another member of the expedition is a crucial character with their very own private questlines which you could select to comply with for distinctive rewards. There are 9 of those quests in whole, with every questline exploring a special side of the human situation, based mostly on the beliefs of the person themselves, the challenges they’ve confronted and what they hope to finally obtain.
For instance, there may be an completed scientist who, regardless of their achievements, lives within the shadow of their Nice Grandfather, who made technological breakthroughs that reworked trendy residing. This character has dreamt all their life of creating an progressive breakthrough to rival that legacy, and in reverse-engineering the expertise of the misplaced civilisation, that chance has seemingly offered itself.
You’ll be able to select to help them of their targets, however it’s also attainable to set them on a special path by sharing even larger perception into the true divine nature of the cosmos, which then places the character’s relentless materials pursuits into sharp perspective.
There’s additionally a veteran of a number of wars who’s now the Quartermaster of the expedition. Having seen the excesses of humanity in his time, he’s pragmatic and optimistic, however acutely appreciates the necessity to have a agency understanding of 1’s personal beliefs; a stable basis on which one is ready to face the world. Consequently, he’ll often problem you in your beliefs and play satan’s advocate regardless of your response.
Alternative and Consequence
These are simply a few small previews of the characters you’ll come throughout in Empyreal. Not solely do all 9 characters have questlines you may comply with, however every one has not less than two distinct endings. Quests can play out otherwise relying in your decisions and accomplishments and every ending gives a singular reward. However don’t fret an excessive amount of about which approach to go in a given quest – the sport will characteristic a totally fleshed out New Recreation+ at launch, so that you’ll be capable of return and experiment with completely different outcomes in subsequent playthroughs.
That’s about all we’ve received time for on this weblog. Whereas now we have touched on a number of of the inspirations and references that affect Empyreal’s themes and narrative, that is removed from a complete listing, and there’s rather more to be uncovered. The sport attracts closely on classical and existentialist philosophy, theology and historical past, with many inspirations not talked about right here that we look ahead to gamers discovering and discussing as they play the sport.
Empyreal
Secret Mode
Empyreal is a posh, difficult, feature-rich motion RPG.
In a far-flung nook of the galaxy an Expedition arrives on a hitherto unexplored planet to discover a colossal Monolith constructed by a misplaced civilisation. These aren’t any mere ruins: the Monolith is stuffed with hazard, and the Expedition is ill-equipped to unearth the secrets and techniques inside.
All eyes flip in the direction of an elite mercenary who might succeed the place all others have failed.
Enterprise contained in the Monolith and face the automatons that but stay, remnants of the impossibly historical civilisation that constructed this unknowable construction. Survive and uncover revelations that remodel our understanding of humanity itself.
Options:
• Stand in opposition to formidable foes; your solely hope of victory lies in mastering a singular and complicated fight system
• A memorable solid of characters, with private questlines and a number of endings for every one
• A phenomenal however shattered historical world. Discover breathtaking environments stuffed with hidden particulars
• Customise your character with an enormous array of kit and gather armour units that confer highly effective bonuses
• Improve and modify the loot you discover
• Unlock new talents to personalise your playstyle
