When news got around of ex-BioWare developers forming development studio Inflexion Games, many were excited to see what its debut gameNightingalecould deliver. Initially showcased last year,Nightingale’s appearanceatSummer Games Fest2022 gave fans an updated look into its interdimensional escapades with a blend of sci-fi and fantasy elements in a co-op survival genre. With former BioWare staff in the mix, their influence could steer the game to greatness.
Nightingaleis joining an ever-growing list of games delving into the multiverse concept, with this latest iteration going further so that players' choices determine what kind of world they step into next. From early multiverse games likeBioShock Infiniteto recent titles such asKirby and the Forgotten Landsdiving into dimensional travel,Nightingaleappears to offer is a step above previous games.
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The Current Trend in Gaming Multiverses
The idea of traveling across a multiverse has been embraced in more and more games of late. Previous titles that were a part of this trend typically explored an “other” world, such asSilent Hill and The Legend of Zelda, but arguably it wasn’t until the advent ofBioShock Infinitethat the trend became more nuanced and complex. For instance,Ratchet and Clank’slatest entriesInto The NexusandRift Aparttook on the trend with open arms, exploring other realities and parallel universes.
Square Enix has caught onto the trend too, asForspokenis an isekai game. In addition,Chrono CrossandLive A Liveare being remastered, both games featuring travel across various time periods, worlds, and even universes. It’s unsurprising that audiences are beginning to see more games that tackle this trend, as it’s increasing in popularity across pop culture for films too.Nightingaleis capitalizing on this trend, but unlike its predecessors, it seems to try and push the envelope.
Nightingale Looks Worlds Apart From Previous Multiverse Games
It’s no surprise thatNightingalehas already beenlikened to a fantasyNo Man’s Sky, as it boasts a seemingly endless potential for worlds that players could explore in the Faewilds; a realm where they find themselves stranded. From what’s known so far, Nightingale will have some direction beyond co-op survival and exploration, and the game’s latest trailer reveals that the eponymousNightingaleis more than just a fantastical sounding name. Rather, it is actually the player’s main goal to reach a once haven city, and together players must work together to travel across the Faewilds.
UnlikeNo Man’s Skywhere players hop in their ships and fly off,Nightingalemakes use of something called “Realm Cards” constructed from rare resources and used at portals to open gateways. It seems that through trial and error, by combining various different Realm Cards, the world that players open a portal to can change.
With all the possible different combinations, players appear to be able to conjure worlds that are peaceful but sparse in resources, or realms that offer rare resources but are fraught with danger. It would be exciting to see what other elements are brought to the game, especially sinceNightingalefeels like a blend betweenBioWare’s hit franchisesMass EffectandDragon Age, so speculation is high for possible moral components to player interactions, as well as expansive lore available to discover across the different realms. No matter how the game ultimately shapes up, it’s going to be a significant entry into the current multiverse trend that could really rattle its competition.
