I was catching up with the Future Game Show’s Spring Showcase this morning (thank you, RPS) and was delighted to see the announcement of Industria 2. I knew developer Bleakmill had been working on something since the release of their first game (the original Industria, unsurprisingly) and I’m pleased to see they’re taking a crack at a sequel.
Industria is a bit of an overlooked gem. Released in 2021, it’s a janky indie FPS that bites off a little more than it can chew, but I remain very fond of the time I spent with it. It shares a lot in common with first-person shooters from the Xbox 360 era such as Singularity (a personal favourite), games that were heavily inspired by Half-Life 2 but were never able to reach the same monumental highs as Valve’s masterpiece. Its combat was a bit wonk, its story was a little muddled (especially its Lynchian cutaways that didn’t really offer much in terms of narrative progression) and it left a few too many important questions unanswered by the time its credits rolled.
But these are all things a sequel can absolutely strive to improve. The dilapidated city of Hakavik (in which the original game takes place) is a fascinating space to explore, its empty factories and quiet streets conveying an oppressive sense of loneliness that soaked into my bones and elevated the game beyond its flaws. My hope for Industria 2 is that it leans as heavily into that unique tone as much as combat or narrative.
It looks to be a direct sequel, too. Original protagonist Nora makes her return, as does her companion Brent, the sole survivor within the robot infested ruins of Hakavik. Exciting stuff!
Fair play to Bleakmill. I understand why Industria didn’t exactly set the world on fire in 2021, but I’m pleased they’ve been given the means to have another go at it. To be the “One More Thing” of an entire presentation, too, also feels like a confident show of faith from the organisers of the Future Games Show.
Here’s the trailer: