Sam Barlow, known for his acclaimed titles Her Story and Immortality, has announced his latest project: a sci-fi horror game named Precognition. Set to be released in spring 2028, this game is a collaboration with horror filmmaker Brandon Cronenberg and will be among the first titles launched under Kinetic’s new publishing label, the creators of Phasmophobia.
Similar to Barlow’s previous games, Precognition revolves around piecing together a mystery through reviewing video clips. This time, players will explore the future memories of the protagonist, Diana, who has undergone a groundbreaking experiment allowing her to perceive visions of her future.
Diana’s character is no ordinary individual; she was once a child prodigy with an exceptionally malleable and photographic memory. Following an experimental implant intended to enhance cognitive recall, she inadvertently gains the ability to foresee her future memories. However, memorising these visions triggers unforeseen butterfly effects, altering the outcomes she observes.
A Collaborative Narrative Effort
Cronenberg, known for films such as Infinity Pool, Possessor, and Antiviral, co-developed and co-wrote the storyline of Precognition with Barlow. This game utilises the sci-fi horror genre to explore themes of memory manipulation and future prediction.
In a Q&A session after a preview of Precognition, Barlow delved deeper into the game’s mechanics. Players will use Diana’s visions, watching them unfold and selectively committing key moments to memory by holding down triggers. This mechanic allows players to actively influence the trajectory of the future.
Barlow likens the player’s task to the movie Memento, where the protagonist uses Polaroids to recall information. Players have the autonomy to determine which pieces of information are essential, thus shaping an “inventory of alternate possible futures.” This interactive experience provides a “very systemic” gameplay loop that allows for extensive freedom and unexpected outcomes.
Diving Deeper into Gameplay
Barlow described the game as having an engaging gameplay cycle where players not only collect significant future moments but also sculpt them to guide future developments. “There’s a huge amount of freedom,” Barlow remarked, highlighting the game’s ability to surprise and captivate players with its dynamic narrative structure.
Precognition’s unique gameplay mechanic, which Barlow proudly notes as “the most grokkable” of his creations, plays a crucial role in intertwining the game’s story with its interactive elements, ensuring every player decision visibly influences the unfolding narrative.
The game is currently being developed for several platforms, including PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, and the upcoming Switch 2.
Reporting based on coverage first published by eurogamer.net.