RetroSpace finally has a release window. The Wild Gentlemen announced on November 22, 2025, that their disco-punk space horror game will launch in Q2 2026, bringing an immersive sim experience inspired by classics like System Shock 2, Prey, and Deus Ex to PC via Steam.
What Is RetroSpace
RetroSpace is an ambitious first-person immersive sim that drops you onto a space station being swallowed by a sentient black hole. The game blends psychological horror with a uniquely retro aesthetic pulled straight from 1970s sci-fi films like Logan’s Run, Buck Rogers, and Silent Running.
According to creative director Bánk B. Varga, the disco-punk label comes from the game’s deliberate evocation of the disco era’s vibe combined with punk sensibilities. Think groovy mustaches and funky interior design mixed with genuine terror and disturbing creatures. The developers describe it as a mind-bending ride filled with weird aliens, giant spiders, time jumps, and dark humor.
You play as a janitor aboard this doomed station, where survival depends on choosing your approach. Go full stealth and sneak past threats, or embrace the chaos by mutating into an action hero who fights everything head-on. The game promises that no two playthroughs will feel the same thanks to its systems-driven design.
Immersive Sim DNA
The Wild Gentlemen made it clear they’re targeting hardcore immersive sim fans. The recent gameplay trailer showcases mechanics that let you manipulate the environment in creative ways. Light pools of oil on fire to create barriers, shoot out lights to darken rooms for stealth advantages, or use physics objects as weapons and tools.
The team specifically cited Thief, System Shock 2, Deus Ex, BioShock, and Prey as primary inspirations. They wanted a strong narrative backbone without sacrificing player freedom or hand-holding you through problems. If you’ve ever spent 30 minutes stacking boxes to reach a vent in Deus Ex instead of finding the keycard, this game is designed for you.
Varga explained that their goal was encouraging experimentation and out-of-the-box thinking. They want players trying to outsmart not just the in-game enemies, but the developers themselves by finding unintended solutions to challenges. Whether that’s a locked door, an enemy patrol, or an environmental puzzle, multiple approaches should always be available.
Mutamods and Cloning System
RetroSpace introduces Mutamods, genetic mutations derived from animal DNA that function as the game’s special ability system. These let you create custom builds by mixing passive and active abilities that support different playstyles.
Some Mutamods favor aggressive combat while others enhance stealth capabilities. You can stack them with tech gadgets for hybrid builds, go full mutation, rely purely on technology, or even attempt a run using neither. The flexibility mirrors the build variety found in games like Prey’s Typhon abilities or BioShock’s plasmids.
The cloning system adds a Soulslike twist inspired by games like Void Bastards. When you die, you respawn as a clone, but there’s a catch. You need to extract genetic material from your previous corpse to cleanse certain negative effects. This creates risk-reward scenarios where retrieving your body becomes a strategic decision rather than just a death penalty.
Gameplay Features Breakdown
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Setting | Space station swallowed by sentient black hole |
| Playstyle Options | Full stealth, aggressive combat, or hybrid approach |
| Special Abilities | Mutamods (genetic mutations) and tech gadgets |
| Physics Interaction | Environmental manipulation, lighting control, object physics |
| Death System | Clone respawning with corpse retrieval mechanics |
| Time Mechanics | Time jumps that affect gameplay and narrative |
| Content Warnings | Blood, violence, gruesome scenes, adult humor |
Developer Background
The Wild Gentlemen is a video game development studio focused on artistic, high-quality games across various genres. While RetroSpace represents their big push into the immersive sim space, the team has experience creating narrative-driven experiences with unique visual styles.
The studio is self-publishing RetroSpace, though publisher Kwalee has been mentioned in connection with the project in some coverage. The game has been in development for several years, with early trailers appearing at events like Realms Deep 2023 and the Indie Horror Showcase in October 2025.
Based on their public communications, the team consists of hardcore immersive sim fans who grew up playing the genre’s defining titles. That passion shows in how they talk about player agency and systemic design. They’re not just making a retro-themed horror game, they’re building a proper immersive sim that happens to have a disco aesthetic.
Current Status and Wishlist
RetroSpace is currently available to wishlist on Steam, where it’s been building a dedicated following since its page went live. The game has appeared at multiple indie showcases throughout 2024 and 2025, steadily building awareness among fans of the genre.
The November 22, 2025 release window trailer marks the first time The Wild Gentlemen committed to a specific timeframe. Q2 2026 means the game should launch between April and June 2026, though exact dates haven’t been announced yet.
Steam is currently the only confirmed platform. System requirements haven’t been published yet, but given the physics simulation, environmental interactivity, and Unreal Engine foundation visible in trailers, players should expect requirements in line with other modern immersive sims.
Why Immersive Sim Fans Care
The immersive sim genre has seen a resurgence in recent years with titles like Gloomwood, Peripeteia, and Fallen Aces keeping the torch lit while big-budget entries remain scarce. RetroSpace stands out because it’s not just imitating the classics, it’s mixing their DNA with horror elements and a genuinely weird aesthetic.
The 1970s sci-fi inspiration is practically unexplored in modern gaming. Most space horror leans toward Alien’s grimy industrial future or Dead Space’s high-tech nightmare. RetroSpace’s commitment to that groovy, optimistic-yet-creepy vibe from films like Silent Running gives it visual identity that immediately distinguishes it from contemporaries.
The combination of full freedom immersive sim design with roguelike-inspired cloning mechanics also creates interesting tension. You’re encouraged to experiment and take risks, but death has consequences that force you to consider whether retrieving your previous body is worth the danger.
FAQs
When exactly is RetroSpace releasing?
RetroSpace is scheduled to launch in Q2 2026, which covers April through June 2026. The Wild Gentlemen hasn’t announced a specific date yet, but the window narrows the release to a three-month period.
What platforms will RetroSpace be available on?
Currently, only PC via Steam has been confirmed. The developers haven’t announced plans for console versions, though that could change closer to or after the PC launch.
Is RetroSpace a roguelike or does it have a linear story?
RetroSpace has a fixed main storyline but offers significant freedom in how you approach it. The cloning system borrows elements from roguelikes, but the game isn’t procedurally generated. Side missions, collectibles, and open-ended mission design create replayability without full randomization.
Can you play RetroSpace without using mutations or abilities?
Yes, according to creative director Bánk B. Varga, you can complete the game using just Mutamods, just tech gadgets, both combined, or neither. The immersive sim design philosophy means solutions should exist beyond the obvious ability-based ones.
How scary is RetroSpace compared to other horror games?
The developers emphasize psychological horror rather than jump scares. The game blends disturbing imagery and creatures with dark humor and a weird atmosphere. Content warnings mention blood, violence, and gruesome scenes, so it’s aimed at mature audiences comfortable with graphic horror.
What makes RetroSpace different from System Shock or Prey?
While sharing immersive sim DNA with those games, RetroSpace distinguishes itself through its 1970s disco-punk aesthetic, the cloning death system, time jump mechanics, and the unique tonal blend of horror with retro sci-fi camp. The station being swallowed by a sentient black hole also creates narrative and gameplay opportunities those games didn’t explore.
Will RetroSpace have VR support?
No VR support has been announced. The game is being developed as a traditional first-person PC experience.
Conclusion
RetroSpace represents an exciting addition to the immersive sim renaissance happening in indie development. The Wild Gentlemen are clearly passionate about the genre’s core principles while bringing fresh ideas through their disco-punk aesthetic and hybrid horror approach. With a Q2 2026 release window now confirmed, fans of System Shock, Prey, and Deus Ex have something concrete to look forward to. Whether you prefer sneaking through shadowy corridors or mutating into a combat monster, this space station swallowed by a black hole should offer plenty of ways to survive or spectacularly fail trying.