INDUSTRIA II: Everything We Know

Two years ago, Bleakmill Studio graced the video game industry with its debut project, Industria. The title, a fast-paced indie set in East Berlin during the Cold War era, is a refreshing mix of the old and new. It boldly wears its Half-Life and Bioshock inspirations on its sleeve and uniquely carves its niche. Its heartwarming narrative and handful of weirdness put it on a pedestal with other AAA titles. I figure this was the right incentive for the devs to dish out a sequel. 

Industria II picks up the reins, transporting players to another mysterious landscape. Will the new title fly close to home, or will it miss the target? Well, it's too early to tell. The best we can do now is unpack the upcoming features in Industria II—everything we know. 

What is Industria II?

Industria II is an upcoming narrative FPS survival horror. The game is a sequel to 2021 Industria by the same developer. Headup Studios drew back the curtains on this title during the Future Games Spring Showcase. From the look of things, the title will uphold the elements of its predecessors with an upgraded horror atmosphere. The previous game did have a dark atmosphere, but on a lighter note. The upcoming title will undoubtedly send shivers down your spine. 

Story

Events in Industria II take place years after the original game. You once again step in the shoes of the beloved protagonist, Nora. Following what transpired in the last game, Nora is alone, stuck in a parallel dimension. She decides to journey back home to 1989 East Berlin, using a machine she scrapes together. But before she gets her eureka moment, a series of events engulfs and spirals her into a new threat. 

Hostile artificial intelligence robots, which are the consequences of her actions, now stand between her and her future. The unresponsive machines are her past; she must face them before turning a new page. 

From the horse's mouth, “The game's protagonist, Nora, becomes lost in a perilous, unfamiliar world. Navigating this hostile terrain, she must confront dangerous robots, unravel the mystery of the sinister A.I., and ultimately find her way back home to 1989 East Berlin.”

Gameplay

Industria II, like its predecessor, opens up with a touching story that is said to involve memorable characters. Players will progress in the game through an emotional story, and we do not know if it will involve her long-lost lover. The emotional depth of the narrative will leave a lasting impact, ideally shaping your journey through the game. 

Moreover, the game will take place in a dilapidated boreal world filled with ethereal machines. The gameplay places much emphasis on immersion thanks to the physics-based interactions. Players will leverage materials from the environment to craft useful items to get by. But this won't be easy with the robotic adversaries traversing the same land. 

This second iteration will have more horror elements than the first game. Brace yourself, for “vivid machine oil spilling and body dismemberment lead to intense firefights.” But worry not—the game equips you with five different weapons, which you can customize with silencers, magazines, or “special attacks.”

Aside from the gameplay, the audio experience in Industria II will be nothing short of cinematic. The game will feature a full voiceover, bringing characters to life. The dynamic music will set the tone for each moment, while the detailed sound design will make the game world feel alive. 

Furthermore, thanks to” Unreal Engine 5's fully dynamic lighting engine, Lumen,” the game's visuals will starkly improve the original title. 

Besides a few new elements, Industria II will follow its predecessors' path. The game does not aim to be overly ambitious. In a tweet, co-founder David Jungnickes said this about features: “I often get messages about pre-ordering, 12-hour campaigns, multiplayer, and comparisons to AAA games. We can't deliver that.” That could reflect the indie studio's small team or their prioritization of quality over quantity.

Development

Industria II is a project by a two-person-led studio, Bleakmill and Headup GmbH. The two studios also worked on the original title, and it's only fitting to team up once again. Bleakmill is an indie studio founded in 2014 after the directors Steve Chapman and David Jungnickel met. The pair have experience working in a big team, and their partnership led to the debut of the original title, Industria. 

For Headup, working with Bleakmill is part of their vision. The studio that develops and publishes games “is always looking to raise awareness and commercial success for developers who think outside the box.” The studio is known for games such as Soulslinger: Envoy of Death, Twin Sector, and Gigapocalypse. As an award-winning studio, Headup has bagged the “Best Publisher” award at the German Developer Awards multiple times between 2012 and 2019. 

Trailer

Fortunately, the developers have released a trailer that offers a glimpse into the adrenaline-fueled excitement of Industria II. The announcement trailer, which is available courtesy of IGN, doesn't show the gameplay. However, it gives you an idea of some of the horrific elements to expect. The one-minute, 38-second trailer also features a voiceover that continuously cautions the protagonist from taking drastic actions. 

Granted, the trailer doesn't reveal much of the gameplay, but we could receive another trailer that sheds more light on this upcoming title.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Industria II will be launching sometime in 2024. The developers have yet to release a concrete date. We can, however, confirm that the game will exclusively launch on PC (through Steam). In the meantime, if this information intrigues you, head on to the game's Steam page and wishlist it.

Additionally, we don't have information on the editions to expect. So many details remain scarce at the moment. However, you can always follow the official social media handle here to keep track of new updates. Meanwhile, we'll watch out for new information and let you know as soon as they come up.

So, what's your take? Will you pick up a copy of Industria II when it drops? Let us know over on our socials here.