First details of Nirvana Noir arrive with a bang

• Announcements by Jack Allin
• Published:

Sequel to Genesis Noir spanning two parallel realities unveiled for PC and Xbox Series X|S

When your first game literally explodes onto the gaming scene by exploring the (entirely fictional) origin of the Big Bang itself, where do you go from there? Well, for indie developer Feral Cat Den, you follow up 2021's Genesis Noir with a similar but even more ambitious sequel called Nirvana Noir.

The surreal Genesis Noir saw players exploring time and space as No Man, who witnessed the accidental formation of the universe and set out to destroy creation in order to save the one he loves. This time around, players will once again control the "cosmic watchmaker," only this time with a new lover and facing twice the challenge as he "pursues mysteries across two parallel realities – one where the Big Bang was never fired, the other where it did, leading to an explosion of color and sin." In "Black Rapture," the protagonist attempts to "complete the intricate mechanisms of a clocktower but is disrupted when a series of arsons break out across the cosmic city." In the much more colorfully vivid "Constant Testament," No Man finds himself "coerced by the police to investigate a dangerous new drug whose appearance is intertwined with an old flame." In order to succeed, you'll need to "jump across the different realities in an effort to save both."

As with its predecessor, Nirvana Noir is a "cosmic adventure beyond time and space," presented as a seamless blend of "interactive storytelling and generative art" inspired by "both noir and neo-noir influences." Here the action takes place in a city "split in two, divided by corrupt darkness and decadent color, but always lit by flames." As you explore both "the streets and the stars" there will once again be a mix of tactile gameplay "overflowing with unique puzzles and interactions." You'll need to perform a wide range of tasks to progress, from questioning "gossipy shopkeepers" to "mounting a legal defence to reconstructing a demolished building and even (literally) finding skeletons in closets." Helping you keep track of the dual narratives and objectives will be No Man’s MIND’S EYE, which will serve to map the "intricate conspiracy" you're attempting to unravel. Accompanying the action, of course, will be an original new "jazz-inspired soundtrack that reacts and responds to player actions," by London-based composers and sound designers Skillbard.

There is no target release date for Nirvana Noir just yet, but the game will be available on Steam for Windows PC, along with a console version for Xbox X|S. To follow its progress in the meantime, be sure to check out the official website for ongoing details.