Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth — Everything We Know

The Annapurna Interactive Showcase took place on June 29, revealing a boatload of exciting surprises. The American publisher, Annapurna Interactive, drew back the curtains on its highly anticipated upcoming titles, including Cocoon, Stray, and Thirsty Suitors. However, one particular reveal that captured our attention was the sneak peek into the forthcoming Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth. Drawing inspiration from the iconic science fiction film Blade Runner, this game has undoubtedly piqued the interest of fans eagerly awaiting its release.

Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth marks Annapurna's inaugural project, developed in-house. As a result, there is much speculation about whether this game will live up to the extraordinary standards set by its cinematic counterpart or fall short. Ultimately, we'll let you be the judge of that once the game drops. In the meantime, let's get you in the know. Here's everything we know about Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth.

What is Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth?

Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth is an upcoming game by Annapurna Interactive, set in futuristic Los Angeles. The game continues the Blade Runner franchise while marking the second Blade Runner game to see the light of day after 25 years. After the film's 1982 debut, the last action we saw was the sequel Blade Runner 2049, launched in 2017, and the point-and-click adventure game, Blade Runner, released on PC in 1997.

Besides the upcoming title, the franchise will soon feature a series. Amazon Prime has confirmed the highly anticipated limited-series Blade Runner 2099, directed by Game of Thrones's very own Jeremy Podeswa. Despite the movie not bagging major awards, it paved the way for the whole genre to rise. The Blade Runner franchise now boasts several films and a new full-fledged game that's, fingers crossed, a stone-throw away. 

Story

Events in the game unfold between the original Blade Runner, set in 2019, and Blade Runner 2049, its sequel. If you're unfamiliar with these iconic films, let us fill you in.

Taking place in a dystopian future, Blade Runner follows the story of Rick Deckard, famously played by Harrison Ford. Rick is a retired police officer tasked with gunning down human-like androids and replicants. 

His police boss forces him out of retirement to hunt down four escaped Replicants inhabiting Earth. Soon enough, he falls in love with a Replicant, and the story takes a romantic yet action-infused turn. The film's storyline gained a cult following, leading to the eventual release of its sequel.

The sequel, Blade Runner 2049, focuses on a new Blade Runner, Officer K (Ryan Gosling), who uncovers a secret that could potentially determine the ill fate of the human race. In his quest, he also finds Rick Deckard, who has been missing for 30 years. 

While the developer has yet to dish out full details of the game's plot, we've uncovered that the game's chronology will follow an event called the Blackout. The Blackout, an extraordinary occurrence chronicled in the animated short film Blade Runner Black Out 2022, serves as a captivating prologue, casting a dramatic backdrop that weaves into the fabric of Blade Runner 2049, shaping its very essence. Moreover, this timeline links the events in the first film and its sequel. 

Gameplay

The upcoming title's gameplay remains shrouded in mystery. However, the game's Steam page reveals it is a 3D exploration adventure. Its synopsis asks, “What does a Blade Runner do when there are no Replicants left to hunt?”. The game's description also reads, “Lots of people lost things in the Blackout.”, “I was lucky; I just lost a job.”, “But now they want me back.” We could probably be seeing the triumphant return of Rick or Officer K. 

Keeping in mind that the game takes place in a dystopian setting, we could be looking at varying levels of combat, including melee and stealth elements. But that is just ballpark speculation. 

Development

The dearth of information about the game is also imminent in its development as it takes shape. However, we've been able to unearth that Chelsea Hash is at the helm of Blade Runner 2033. Hash was at the epicenter of developing What Remains of Edith Finch and Solar Ash, games published by the American publisher. Given that Hash has been working at Annapurna Interactive for over a year, this hints at how long Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth has been in development. 

Moreover, it is evident that the game's launch is still a distant prospect, as the publisher is still assembling a team of indispensable individuals. Annapurna seeks the expertise of a skilled 3D Animator, a master of Visual Effects, a visionary Character Artist, a creative Designer, and a Concept Artist. The Designer role notably references esteemed projects such as The Last of Us, Kid A Mnesia, and What Remains of Edith Finch, hinting at the grandeur of this undertaking and the potential influences drawn from these illustrious creations. 

Furthermore, considering Annapurna Interactive is treading on a new path in game development, we can't help but build anticipation for the treasures that lie ahead. Will they hit the ground running? Only time will tell.

Trailer

Are you eager to glimpse what Annapurna Interactive has cooking in the kitchen? Well, thankfully, we have a trailer to attest to the fact the game is in development. 

The one-minute 28-second clip opens up with a narration from whom we presume to be the protagonist. The trailer hints at time travel as the character mentions “digging through the pieces, in places that no longer exist”. What’s more, the game sticks to the film's atmospheric visuals and philosophical undertones.

Before we give too much away, peep the trailer here. 

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth will come to PC and consoles via Steam. Players and fans of the franchise can wishlist the game on Steam. The publisher is yet to unveil the release date.

The publisher has not indicated anything regarding special editions at the time of writing. Clearly, the game is still in its early stages of development. 

Does this game sound like it's up your alley? You can keep up with the publisher's official handle here to stay updated. We'll also keep you informed in case more details are released. 

So, what's your take? When the game drops, will you be setting out to visit the dystopian Los Angeles and relive the tales of theBlade Runner? Let us know your thoughts on our socials here.