RetroSpace: The Sci‑Fi Horror Immersive Sim Sickos Should Keep an Eye On

RetroSpace — disco-punk sci‑fi horror on a black‑hole-stricken space station

I’ve always been a fan of immersive sims: they blend systems-driven design with player freedom in ways few genres can. RetroSpace, an upcoming title from The Wild Gentlemen and publisher Kwalee, leans into that tradition while adding a distinctive disco‑punk, late‑’70s sci‑fi flavor. The game pitches a strange, stylish space station horror where you can approach situations as a stealthy infiltrator or a mutated powerhouse.

Watch the new gameplay trailer for RetroSpace — complete with commentary from creative director Bánk B. Varga — to see how the studio combines tense atmosphere, inventive mechanics, and a vibrant aesthetic. The developer describes the game as “disco‑punk space horror,” a mixture of period sci‑fi tone, off‑kilter humor, and psychological dread set aboard a station swallowed by a black hole. Learn more on the official RetroSpace page.

In-game screenshot from RetroSpace showing station interiors and lighting — RetroSpace — atmospheric interiors and reactive environments.

RetroSpace casts you as a janitor thrust into calamity: Aurora 5, a once‑routine station, has been warped by a black hole and time anomalies. As the last, fragile hope for humanity, you’ll navigate corridors full of bizarre fauna and hostile survivors — everything from humanoid insects to carnivorous plants and hulking mutant swine. The game rewards creative problem solving: pour oil to create napalm traps, cut power to plunge areas into darkness for stealth approaches, or confront threats head‑on with improvised weapons.

The latest trailer highlights how physics and systems interact to let players experiment. Below is the embedded trailer with developer commentary:

Below is an edited Q&A with creative director Bánk B. Varga about the game’s tone, systems, and design philosophy.

Wesley LeBlanc (Game Informer): How would you define “disco‑punk,” and what makes RetroSpace fit that label?

Bánk B. Varga (The Wild Gentlemen): Disco‑punk blends the glossy, anachronistic vibes of 1970s disco and classic sci‑fi films with an offbeat, often humorous sensibility. Think Logan’s Run or Silent Running filtered through a weird, sometimes creepy lens. We married that aesthetic with psychological horror to create something that feels familiar yet strange — part retro spectacle, part unsettling atmosphere.

Wesley LeBlanc: RetroSpace draws inspiration from immersive sims like Prey and System Shock. Why choose that structure?

Bánk B. Varga: From the outset we wanted a narrative core without stripping away player agency. Immersive sims let players experiment, exploit systems, and solve problems in multiple ways. We wanted choices that reward lateral thinking — not hand‑holding but meaningful tools and systems that invite creativity.

Wesley LeBlanc: What are Mutamods and how does the cloning system work?

Bánk B. Varga: Mutamods are genetic mutations harvested from creatures aboard Aurora 5. They function like modular abilities: passive, active, offensive, defensive — you can mix and match to create distinct builds that support stealth, combat, or utility playstyles. The cloning system explains respawns in‑lore: the station can recreate you, but imperfectly. Each rebirth can introduce a “cloning error” — a penalty that forces players to adapt unless they recover genetic material from their previous body. It’s inspired by roguelike and Soulslike ideas but tailored to our world and tone.

Wesley LeBlanc: You say no two playthroughs are the same. Do you mean the game is run‑based?

Bánk B. Varga: RetroSpace has a fixed narrative spine, but outside of that the experience is highly emergent. Side missions, optional objectives, and the variety of tools and Mutamod combinations create divergent solutions to problems. Cloning errors and multiple endings (we currently plan eight distinct conclusions) further increase unpredictability. So while there’s an overarching story, players will encounter different scenarios and outcomes based on their choices and the chaotic interplay of systems.

RetroSpace is planned for PC and will be available on Steam; you can add it to your wishlist on the Steam store page.