H.G. Wells’ iconic novel, The War of the Worlds, is finally receiving a much-anticipated video game adaptation for consoles and PC. This classic literature has inspired numerous movie adaptations and other works over the past century, so it’s no surprise that it’s making its way into the gaming world. However, details about the upcoming sci-fi thriller remain scarce until developer FlipSwitch Games decides to reveal more about the project.
What Is War of the Worlds?
War of the Worlds is an open-world survival-horror game that serves as a tribute to H.G. Wells’ 1898 novel of the same name. Much like the original story, the game centers around the extermination of humanity and the alien machines’ conquest of Earth. Notably, the game will feature an entirely new storyline rather than following the plot of any previous adaptations, such as the Tom Cruise film.
According to FlipSwitch Games, War of the Worlds is described as a “hardcore horror open world survival game” that places players in the midst of humanity’s extermination, with the primary goal being survival and ultimately finding a way to defeat the alien invaders. Players will need to scavenge for resources, fend off hostile survivors, avoid detection by alien machines, and struggle to stay alive.
Story
The central premise of War of the Worlds is straightforward: can you survive in a world under siege by extraterrestrials for a week? Players can choose to play as either a human survivor or an alien invader. As a survivor, the objective is to withstand the relentless alien assault, while playing as an alien involves the mission of eradicating the human race.
The game is expected to offer a dynamic and adaptive storyline, allowing players to forge their own paths and strategies. This “create your own” narrative approach means there might not be a traditional, linear storyline. Instead, players can expect to navigate their survival experience with plenty of twists and turns based on their choices and actions.
Gameplay
War of the Worlds will be an online multiplayer game, providing the option to play as either humans or aliens. Each faction will have distinct abilities and tools, creating a unique gameplay experience. Players will need to gather supplies, identify and confront potential threats, and endure the ongoing conflict between the warring factions.
“Multiplayer delivers a unique experience allowing you to pick a side, humans or aliens,” FlipSwitch Games elaborates. “As the aliens, your goal is to exterminate all humans, harvest their blood, and fertilize the earth with it. As team humans, your goal is to be the last man or group standing and outlive the aliens long enough to fight back and find a way to bring them down.”
Development
FlipSwitch Games first announced its intentions to bring War of the Worlds to the gaming realm in 2022, releasing a brief but intriguing teaser trailer. Based on current information, the game aims for a PC release sometime in 2024. However, these details are subject to change, and more concrete information may be available as the release date approaches.
For now, the game’s presence is relatively low-key, with limited information available. Nevertheless, any significant updates from FlipSwitch Games will likely be shared on their official social media channels.
Trailer
FlipSwitch Games has released several teaser trailers for War of the Worlds since the project was first announced. Just yesterday a new cinematic gameplay & development update dropped:
Release Date, Platforms & Editions
War of the Worlds is scheduled to launch on PC via Steam in 2024. There is no confirmation yet on whether the game will be available on Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch. For now, it appears to be a Windows-exclusive title.
War of the Worlds is shaping up to be an exciting addition to the survival-horror genre, offering a fresh take on H.G. Wells’ classic story. Whether you plan to stand your ground as a human or dominate as an alien, the game promises a thrilling and immersive experience for all players.