A new game called Project Retrograde: The Becoming has been unveiled, and early reactions highlight its striking resemblance to the Resident Evil franchise. Announced at Tokyo Game Show 2025, the game is being developed by Chinese studio Invercity Game Works and will release on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
The narrative takes players back to 1995, where the collapse of a survival initiative called Project Retrograde leads to humanity’s downfall. The world has been overtaken by LUCA, a parasite that threatens extinction. Players assume the role of a bounty hunter infected by LUCA, creating a dangerous symbiosis: the parasite grants extraordinary power, but threatens to consume the protagonist entirely.
Gameplay showcases clear Resident Evil influences, from camera angles similar to the RE4 remake to tense combat animations and atmospheric environments. The protagonist even bears a resemblance to Leon Kennedy. Despite these similarities, Project Retrograde: The Becoming introduces its own unique mechanics.
The standout feature is the parasitic combat system, which allows players to absorb the memories and combat styles of defeated enemies. This opens up diverse fighting options and strategic depth rarely seen in traditional survival action games. Another intriguing mechanic is the LUX system, which manipulates underground weather, though its full gameplay implications remain under wraps.
While some critics argue the game leans heavily on Capcom’s formula, others see promise in its fusion of influences from Resident Evil, The Last of Us, and Death Stranding. The gloomy retro-futuristic world adds its own flavor to the familiar formula.
A release date has not been provided yet, but Invercity Game Works has promised that the game is “coming soon.” With its combination of survival horror tension and inventive mechanics, Project Retrograde: The Becoming could carve out its own identity despite its obvious inspirations.
The Becoming: Resident Evil-Style Gameplay Experience
