Since the studio first opened its doors in 1995, Bioware has developed an array of successful projects that have gone on to become classics. Its work on the Mass Effect trilogy cemented it as one of the biggest names in the sci-fi genre, while Dragon Age saw it conquer fantasy, and Knights of the Old Republic resulted in one the most widely-acclaimed Star Wars video game adaptations ever made.
It also managed to launch a cult-gem in Jade Empire: an RPG that used Chinese mythology to mold its core setting and allowed players to wield several martial art styles and abilities. Thanks to the book Stories and Secrets from 25 Years of Game Development, fans know that Bioware at one point sought to make a spiritual sequel to the game back in 2005 called Revolver, and now one of the game’s artists has revealed exactly what that project would’ve looked like.
Bioware art director Matt Rhodes posted several slices of concept art from the title on Instagram, claiming: “Beginning its life as a sequel to Jade Empire, Revolver evolved and changed course many times throughout its development.” The images showcase several aspects of the game, including its protagonists, antagonists, and setting. It seems it would’ve taken place in a cyberpunk future, with a number of sword-wielding protagonists fighting against gun-toting soldiers. It also appears as though Revolver would’ve had a series of creepy monsters players had to contend with, including suited men who could shapeshift into terrifying creatures.
According to Eurogamer, the title would’ve been a parkour-focused open-world adventure that blended Bioware’s signature RPG systems with a non-linear narrative. It was in production until 2008, at which point it was canceled as the studio continued work on Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect 2.
Source: Instagram – Matt Rhodes, Eurogamer