Immersive sim Retrospace, aka '70s System Shock, gets an October release date plus a trailer full of funky guns and sentient black holes

Immersive sim RetroSpace is set to release on October 1st, 2026, according to developers The Wild Gentlemen and publisher Kwalee. Players will assume the role of a 3D-printed clone janitor, trapped aboard a space station consumed by a sentient black hole. The objective is to navigate the space station, Aurora, using a blend of stealth, violence, and discopunk-inspired ingenuity to confront mutant flora and fauna, along with the station's security systems.

Aurora, the central hub, is a Metroidvania-inspired, 70s-themed environment with a peaceful core and various shortcuts and secret paths. The station is trapped in a time warp, shifting between historical periods, which could present both challenges and benefits during exploration.

In addition to the main narrative, RetroSpace offers "mutamods" that grant players unique abilities such as growing tentacles, possessing creatures, and blending into shadows. However, these mutations may come at a cost to one's physical and mental well-being. Players are also immortal, with Aurora spawning new clones whenever they perish. These clones may inherit degenerative traits from their predecessors, requiring players to reclaim their equipment from the most recent corpse.

The Wild Gentlemen, known for their quirky humor and period aesthetics, have previously developed the Chicken Police series and Moses & Plato: Last Train to Clawville. Fans of these titles should find RetroSpace an appealing addition to their collection, despite potential concerns about the game's humor overshadowing its atmosphere.