Clockwork Revolution, the BioShock-esque RPG underway from Fallout veterans like Brian Fargo over at inXile, is not merely a shooter – and if that's what you're hoping to get out of it, then look elsewhere.
Or, at least, that's what inXile says in response to folks who want a more action-packed time out of Clockwork Revolution than a story-led experience.
The developer makes this clear in a new online post, responding to a fan critical of the RPG's… well, RPG-ness. Heck, the team even goes as far as suggesting that anyone unhappy with Clockwork Revolution leaning into its genre's narrative elements play shooters like Doom instead.
Clockwork is a deep RPG with crunchy systems; mature and intertwining narrative; far-reaching reactivity to your choices; interesting characters; great music; insane world building; and YES with great gunplay and awesome time powersbut if you want a pure run and gun shooter,… pic.twitter.com/lmnNEq4T8PJuly 29, 2026
"Clockwork is a deep RPG with crunchy systems; mature and intertwining narrative; far-reaching reactivity to your choices; interesting characters; great music; insane world building; and YES, with great gunplay and awesome time powers," the studio writes.
"But if you want a pure run and gun shooter, might we recommend Doom? Hear great things." In the comments, inXile alludes to Gears of War: E-Day as an option, too. "Ooh, or the new Gears that looks real good too," the dev adds. "Lots of options."
As for what inXile was responding to in the first place, it all stems from a discussion over on Steam, in which it outlined how "Clockwork is a deep, narrative RPG, with complex character creation, skill trees, perks, traits, weapon customization, inventory systems, gear, etc." and is "first and foremost a dialogue and conversation-rich roleplaying game."
ooh or the new Gears that looks real good toolots of optionsJuly 29, 2026
That's where a prospective fan replied that they were disappointed to learn that.
"Forgive me, but what you describe just sounds like a bunch of endless number twiddling followed by a lot of talk-talk-talk-talk-talk (and if modern gaming convention follows, we can expect about 8 minutes of unskippable cutscenes for every 3 mouse clicks)," their comment reads. "I'll wait and see how it comes out, but I'm certainly less enthusiastic about it now."
Honestly, it sounds like inXile might be right here – they'd probably be better off playing something like Doom if they're more fond of fast-paced, blood-pumping gameplay than story.
That's not to say that Clockwork Revolution won't have any combat, of course. Much like BioShock, there's first-person shooting involved. It just won't take center stage, as it's still an RPG at its core… and quite frankly, I'm good with that.
