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The 20th century’s science fiction holds a unique allure. The Atomic Age, a period of technological marvels, saw human imagination struggling to keep pace with scientific advancements. Alongside unprecedented conveniences lurked the ominous threat of nuclear weapons and the uncharted territories of artificial intelligence, unbound by human limitations. This era gave rise to countless video game adaptations. While many Raygun Gothic/Atompunk titles explore the Cold War, the perspective of the Eastern Bloc remains largely untapped, focusing instead on North America, Western Europe, or Japan. This oversight is unfortunate, given the wealth of exceptional science fiction from Eastern Europe, ripe for adaptation.

Yasna on Regis III

Among the prominent figures of this era is Stanislaw Lem, a legendary Polish author and a pillar of Eastern European literature, particularly within the science fiction genre. His “hard” sci-fi works, such as The Cyberiad, Eden, Summa Technologiae, and especially Solaris and The Invincible, present thought-provoking narratives. The complexity of his work, coupled with its unique technological focus and philosophical depth, makes adaptation challenging. Successful translations to other media often require visionary directors like Andrei Tarkovsky or Ryusuke Hamaguchi, exemplified by the film adaptation of Solaris.

Undeterred by these challenges, Starward Industries embarked on adapting Lem’s enigmatic space opera, The Invincible, into a video game. Does this relatively new studio succeed in translating such a demanding work? Let’s don our spacesuits and journey to Regis-III to uncover the mysteries within The Invincible.

A Captivating Narrative on Regis-III

Players follow Yasna, an astrobiologist exploring space with the crew of the Dragonfly. Her cryo-sleep is abruptly interrupted on the desolate planet Regis-III. Her crew is missing, leaving Yasna alone to embark on a quest to find her colleagues and uncover the truth. Deviating from the novel, the game focuses not on the Invincible itself, but on the events preceding its arrival on Regis-III, specifically shedding light on the Condor. This approach cleverly sidesteps the complex philosophical themes of the book, focusing instead on world-building.

Exploring the landscape

Starward Industries introduces organizations like The Confederate and The Commonwealth, absent in the novel, to enrich the narrative and player experience. Serving as a prequel, The Invincible expands upon elements crucial to the novel’s plot, such as the swarm of micro-machines, enigmatic giant robots, and previous expeditions to Regis-III. Prior knowledge of Lem’s original work isn’t necessary to enjoy the game’s self-contained story. The game meticulously develops Yasna and the supporting characters, maintaining a consistent sense of mystery and providing a complete narrative arc.

Through natural dialogues with superiors and well-crafted inner monologues, Yasna emerges as a decisive, inquisitive, and endearing character, making her journey engaging. Her strong personality adds weight to the game’s narrative choices, leading to eleven different endings based on player decisions. This approach allows players to shape their own experience while reinforcing the mystery surrounding Rohan and the Invincible’s crew in the novel.

Uncovering mysteries

Crucial to adapting a “hard” sci-fi work like The Invincible is the immersive audiovisual experience. Regis-III is a stunning desert planet with vast red dunes, rugged mountains, and clear skies. The game showcases not just sand, but intriguing structures, dark caves, and spaceships with a distinct Atompunk aesthetic. Detailed animations enhance world-building sequences, like encounters with strange robots or mysterious specimens. Despite limited interactivity, the game’s audiovisual presentation creates a sense of genuine exploration.

The Stride of Solitude

The game’s primary interactions are limited to walking, observing, and engaging in dialogue. Puzzles are minimal, prioritizing immersion through visuals and narrative. While this approach ensures a seamless storytelling experience, the lack of interactivity can lead to a sense of detachment.

Limited interaction

While the streamlined approach keeps the narrative flowing, greater interaction with the environment could enhance certain segments. Encounters with the strange robots or mini-games could deepen player immersion in The Invincible‘s world. The game’s strength lies in its captivating story and stunning visuals, but the limited gameplay may not appeal to all players.

Encountering the unknown

The compelling narrative, evocative soundtrack, and visually striking world of The Invincible offer a unique experience. The game successfully captures the spirit of Lem’s work while creating a standalone adventure. While the limited gameplay might be a drawback for some, The Invincible provides a compelling journey through a beautifully realized alien world.