A studio full of video game veterans is about to release its first big project. Ascendant Studios and EA have confirmed they’re releasing the magic first person shooter on July 20th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Windows PCs. You play a new battlemage who’s thrust into a never-ending war for control of the world’s magic.
This isn’t Call of Duty with spells, though, or even a revival of classic fantasy shooters like . revolves around a combination system that rewards mixing up different magic types to defeat enemies. You can also draw on magical abilities to create shields or turn the environment against your foes. Ascendant is also promising a narrative-focused experience with an extensive backstory, not to mention recognizable voices like Darren Barnet () and Gina Torres ().
Ascendant is part of a wave of indie studios formed by departing leaders at major game developers. It’s helmed by Bret Robbins, the creative director from the original , who formed Ascendant in 2018 with in mind. The team also includes former Telltale Games workers as well as people behind well-known games like and . Like other well-known exiles, Robbins and crew are effectively trying to regain creative control — even if they’re still publishing through major brands.