Tom Cruise may be missing, but War of the Worlds: Siberia reimagines H. G. Wells’ alien invasion with a tone closer to The Last of Us, relocating the apocalypse to frozen Russia 140 years ago. Its latest gameplay reveal suggests an ambitious, story-driven experience still very much worth watching.

One of the great strengths of video games is their ability to experiment. Not every project is driven purely by profit; sometimes the goal is to explore bold ideas and offer something genuinely different. That is precisely the path 1C Game Studios appears to be taking, at least from a narrative perspective. In 2024, the Russian developer announced its adaptation of H. G. Wells’ classic novel The War of the Worlds, the iconic alien invasion that brings humanity to its knees, but with a striking twist. This version unfolds in Siberia in the year 1896. Now, new gameplay footage from War of the Worlds: Siberia has been revealed, highlighting just how strongly the game draws inspiration from The Last of Us and its cinematic portrayal of catastrophe.

Set in the Russian Empire at the end of the 19th century, the game presents an alternate 1896 in which Earth is overwhelmed by a massive extraterrestrial invasion. Unlike Steven Spielberg’s adaptation starring Tom Cruise, this take remains far more faithful to Wells’ original vision. The key difference lies in the setting. Instead of the United Kingdom, the story shifts more than 5,000 kilometers east, into the frozen expanse of Siberia.

Players follow a young student forced to flee eastward, evading not only alien forces but also the authorities, who are attempting to seal off the region in an effort to contain the threat. Despite what the latest trailer might suggest, the experience is not limited to forests and wilderness. The developers have recreated a variety of towns and cities across the region, populated by civilians who believe the aliens have come as saviors, as well as military units struggling to maintain control.

War of the Worlds: Siberia Is a Fully Cinematic Action Game

What stands out immediately about War of the Worlds: Siberia is its strong cinematic identity. In several respects, it echoes how The Last of Us handled the brutality of combat and movement, supported by impressive animations and a raw, visceral atmosphere. Still, the experience is not solely about running for your life. Combat plays a central role, allowing players to confront both human enemies and, presumably, alien threats.

Encounters can be approached in multiple ways: through melee combat, long-range engagements with rifles and period-appropriate weapons, or by relying on stealth. The development team has emphasized realistic character animations, ensuring that every movement feels grounded and natural, from crouching to avoid detection to the fluidity of close-quarters fights. Silent movement, careful planning, and environmental awareness will be essential to avoiding unnecessary and deadly confrontations.

That said, the project is still firmly in development. Its appearance at the Unity Awards on December 2 served as both a showcase and a vote of confidence, but patience will be required. The game is currently scheduled for release sometime in 2027, with no exact date confirmed, leaving plenty of time before players can experience this frozen reimagining of a classic invasion story.

Forrás: 3djuegos