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Clockwork Revolution – Steampunk Choice RPG
inXile's time-bending steampunk first-person RPG promises reactive world design and consequence-driven storytelling, predicted 8.5/10 for ambition.
Game Info
Verdict
inXile's steampunk time-travel RPG harnesses veteran talent and environmental reactivity to craft consequence-driven narrative single-player experience with day-one Game Pass value.
Pros
- Time-manipulation mechanic creates meaningful choice consequence with visual world transformation
- Deep character creation and voice direction enhance role-playing immersion and personality expression
- AAA production talent from Rockstar (cinematics), Bungie (combat), Blizzard (encounter design) elevates quality
- Reactive environment design differentiates from linear competitors; districts visually transform based on historical interventions
- Day One Game Pass inclusion provides exceptional value against premium pricing tier
- inXile's proven choice-consequence expertise delivers narrative depth matching Baldur's Gate 3 storytelling
- First-person perspective combined with pause-and-plan tactical gameplay suits complex moral decision-making
Cons
- Single-player only excludes co-op enthusiasts seeking shared narrative experience
- 2026 release window delays availability until mid-year; marketing remains limited until closer launch
- First-person perspective eliminates character visual customization benefits during cutscenes and exploration
- No confirmed multiplayer or competitive elements limit social engagement mechanics versus peers
- Game Pass subscription model potentially cannibalizes full-purchase revenue affecting development sustainability
- Complex moral systems may frustrate players seeking clear hero-versus-villain narrative structure
Performance Notes
Xbox Series X targets 4K@60fps or 1440p@120fps; Series S scales to 1440p@60fps or 1080p@120fps. PC specifications pending official announcement; Day One Game Pass includes cloud streaming support.
Clockwork Revolution represents inXile Entertainment’s first AAA project under Xbox Game Studios umbrella, assembling top talent from Rockstar, Bungie, and Blizzard to craft a steampunk first-person RPG centered on time manipulation and narrative reactivity. Scheduled for 2026 release with Day One Game Pass inclusion, the game builds directly on inXile’s spiritual predecessor Arcanum while incorporating modern production cinematic quality and encounter design sophistication. Early footage suggests environmental transformation responding to player choices, distinguishing it from linear action-RPGs by visually manifesting consequence. Players seeking deep character creation, moral ambiguity, and Victorian-era aesthetic will recognize inXile’s design philosophy refined across two decades of role-playing experiences.
How to Play Clockwork Revolution
Create a customizable protagonist Morgan Vanette and infiltrate the steampunk metropolis Avalon armed with the Chronometer time-travel device. Manipulate past events to alter present-day geography, character relationships, and faction politics; your choices visually transform districts while determining dialogue options and combat encounters throughout the narrative.
- Character Creation – Customize Morgan Vanette’s appearance, background, and starting skills through deep creation interface; dialogue voice options reflect chosen attributes
- Chronometer Navigation – Travel backward through Avalon’s history targeting pivotal moments where player intervention alters the present state of characters and locations
- First-Person Combat – Engage steampunk-armed opponents using revolvers, lever-action rifles, modified Gatling guns, and steam-powered gadgets modified at weapon benches throughout the city
- Consequence Management – Track moral branching outcomes affecting faction relationships, character fate, and district economic conditions; multiple playthroughs reveal divergent narrative paths
Who Should Play Clockwork Revolution
Clockwork Revolution targets mature RPG enthusiasts craving deep character customization, reactivity-obsessed design, and choice-consequence systems valuing player agency. First-person perspective combined with complex moral situations and dark humor appeal to Baldur’s Gate 3 fans comfortable with pause-and-plan tactical deliberation mixed with real-time exploration.
- Baldur’s Gate 3 Veterans – Expect similar choice depth and consequence reactivity but in first-person steampunk setting replacing fantasy high-magic tropes
- Steampunk Enthusiasts – Victorian-era aesthetic combined with magical technology rarely sees AAA investment; Avalon offers fully realized clockwork society immersion
- Narrative-Focused RPG Players – inXile prioritizes story consequences and environmental reactivity over mechanical complexity; multiple dialogue choices and faction relationships shape outcomes
- Skip if – You demand multiplayer co-op, real-time combat without pause options, or prefer action-first gameplay over dialogue-heavy interactions
Clockwork Revolution Platform Performance
Optimized primarily for Xbox Series X|S hardware with PC support through Steam and Microsoft Store. Day One Game Pass inclusion provides play access through cloud streaming; frame rates target 60 fps across all platforms with performance/quality mode toggles on console. Specific PC performance specifications remain unannounced pending closer to 2026 launch window.
| Platform | Resolution Target | FPS Target | Technical Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X | 4K/1440p | 60/120 fps | Performance mode prioritizes 120 fps; quality mode outputs native 4K; performance option confirmed |
| Xbox Series S | 1440p/1080p | 60/120 fps | Scaled version with resolution dynamic scaling; same frame rate options as Series X |
| PC (High-End) | 4K Native | 120+ fps | Specifications pending; likely RTX 4070+ territory based on Unreal Engine 5 baseline |
| Cloud Gaming | 1080p Streaming | 60 fps | Xbox Cloud Gaming day one support; bandwidth requirements TBA |
Clockwork Revolution System Requirements
PC specifications remain officially unannounced; predictions based on similar Unreal Engine 5 AAA titles suggest high-end RTX 3070+ or equivalent AMD hardware. Microsoft’s optimization focus on Xbox Series X promises strong PC scaling across generational GPU capability. Official requirements expected announcement within three months of 2026 launch window.
| Component | Estimated Minimum | Estimated Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10/11 64-bit |
| CPU | Ryzen 5 3600 / i5-9400 | Ryzen 7 5800X / i7-10700K |
| GPU | RTX 2080 / RX 5700 XT | RTX 3070 / RX 6800 XT |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR4 | 32 GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 80-120 GB SSD NVMe | SSD NVMe (fastest available) |
Similar Games to Clockwork Revolution
Clockwork Revolution occupies unique intersection between narrative-driven first-person RPG and choice-consequence design philosophy. Direct comparisons pit inXile’s work against Baldur’s Gate 3’s consequence depth and Bioshock’s immersive world-building, though no direct mechanical peers exist combining both elements within steampunk setting.
- Baldur’s Gate 3 – Superior character creation flexibility and companion dynamics; Baldur’s Gate maintains isometric viewpoint where Clockwork Revolution embraces first-person immersion
- Wasteland 3 – inXile’s previous AAA work prioritizing choice and consequence in post-apocalyptic setting; Clockwork Revolution upgrades production value and team talent significantly
- Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscured – Spiritual predecessor combining steampunk setting with complex moral systems; nearly 25-year development gap separates technology generation
- Bioshock – First-person immersive sim with reactive environments and moral choice systems; Clockwork Revolution deepens choice consequence and visual reactivity beyond Bioshock’s linear narrative
Clockwork Revolution vs Competitors
Clockwork Revolution launches without direct mechanical competition within steampunk first-person RPG category. Competitive advantage rests on inXile’s proven choice-consequence design excellence, AAA production budget, and day-one Game Pass accessibility against premium priced alternatives.
| Feature | Clockwork Revolution | Baldur’s Gate 3 | Wasteland 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | TBA (Day One Game Pass) | $59.99 | $49.99 |
| Campaign Length | 60-100 hours (estimated) | 80-150 hours | 60-80 hours |
| Multiplayer | Single-Player Only | Single-Player + Co-op | Single-Player Only |
| Character Creation | Deep Customization | Extensive Creation | Standard RPG Options |
Clockwork Revolution Story and World
Morgan Vanette awakens to discover the city of Avalon, a gleaming steampunk metropolis built on Victorian-era aesthetics and clockwork technology, harbors a dark secret: wealthy industrialist Lady Ironwood has manipulated history itself through time-travel technology. Entire districts reflect deliberate historical alterations designed to entrench her economic and social dominance over working-class citizens organized within the Rotten Row Hooligans gang. Player discovery of Ironwood’s Chronometer device unlocks protagonist agency—travel backward through Avalon’s history to pivotal moments and intervene, creating butterfly effects that transform present-day geography, character relationships, and faction power dynamics. Moral ambiguity permeates narrative design; supporting workers against industrialists creates new societal problems; every faction choice generates unforeseen consequences affecting innocent bystanders. The Tangle slums contrast sharply against ornate industrial districts, visually communicating class struggle that drives political factions and personal quests. Dark humor balances oppressive atmosphere—colorful characters like Uncle Alfie (disgruntled shopkeeper) and Duke Pomphrey (foul-mouthed automaton doll) inject personality while maintaining thematic weight about societal transformation through player choice.
Clockwork Revolution Multiplayer and Online
Clockwork Revolution confirms single-player only experience with no multiplayer, co-op, or competitive modes announced. Design philosophy prioritizes narrative reactivity and individual choice consequence over shared player experiences. Online infrastructure remains limited to potential future live service content or cosmetic marketplace.
- Single-Player Focus – All mechanics designed for individual narrative experience; no split-screen, co-op campaigns, or competitive PvP announced
- Story Reactivity – Player choices generate world state variations; New Game Plus options likely preserve alternative branching pathways across replays
- Leaderboards Potential – No competitive features confirmed; possible achievement leaderboards or time-trial content post-launch remains speculative
- Live Service Components – Game Pass day-one inclusion suggests potential seasonal story content or cosmetic updates post-launch; structure remains unannounced
Clockwork Revolution DLC and Expansions
Post-launch content strategy remains officially unannounced. Day One Game Pass inclusion suggests Microsoft prioritizes content inclusion within subscription ecosystem rather than premium DLC sales model. inXile’s historical commitment to quality-of-life patches and substantial expansions (evident in Wasteland 3: The Battle of Steeltown) indicates likely post-launch roadmap.
- Narrative Expansions Anticipated – Similar to Wasteland 3 expansion structure; secondary story campaigns exploring different factions or time periods plausible based on Chronometer mechanics
- Cosmetic Options – Morgan Vanette outfit customization and weapon skins likely monetize optional cosmetics while keeping story content free to subscribers
- Quality Updates – Performance patches, balance adjustments, and accessibility improvements precedented by inXile’s previous releases promise ongoing support
- Game Pass Content – Microsoft’s subscription-first strategy suggests post-launch story content releases alongside Game Pass updates rather than separate purchases
Clockwork Revolution Community and Support
inXile maintains strong developer transparency through official channels and community engagement. Xbox Game Studios infrastructure supports active forums, official social media presence, and direct developer communication through annual retrospective interviews and development roadmap publications.
- Official Website – web-front.inxile.net hosts latest news, developer interviews, and official game information; regularly updated with production screenshots and narrative context
- Social Media Presence – Twitter/X (@ClockworkGame), Facebook (ClockworkGame), and YouTube (@inXile_ent) maintain active community engagement and announcement distribution
- Xbox Community Hub – Microsoft Store and Xbox Game Pass integrate community forums, achievement tracking, and direct developer response threads
- Regular Communication – Developer blogs discussing narrative design, combat mechanics, and time-manipulation systems published quarterly throughout development cycle