3D Realms, developers of the hugely success Duke Nukem 3D PC title and the universally chastised 2011 follow up, Duke Nukem Forever, have revealed a trailer for their upcoming action RPG Bombshell, which is scheduled for release in early 2015 and will be available on PlayStation 4 and PC.
Powered by the Unreal engine, Bombshell puts players in control of Shelly Harrison, an expert in bomb disposal tactics who is tasked with saving the President after a catastrophic explosion known as the “Washington Incident.” The protagonist is portrayed as a punk-esque maverick with a mechanical right arm, and the game is described as “a top-down sci-fi affair,” presumably with RPG elements.
3D Realms are well-known for their take on action games with über-masculine influences that often border on misogyny, so it’s interesting to see them tackle a female protagonist. With many in the gaming community seeing Duke Nukem Forever‘s casual sexism as outdated, is this the Texas-based developer’s way of showing their more diverse side? More importantly, will Bombshell be enough to redeem them in the public eye? Take a look at the trailer below and decide for yourself.