Are you a fan of those classic 1950s sci-fi films? Fell in love with the retro futuristic technology? Do you want to explore an alien planet like those daring heroes of old? Well, in The Invincible, you can live out all those atompunk dreams all at once.
Developed by Starward Industries and published by 11 bit studios, join me as I explore this sublime sci-fi game based on the works of Stanisław Lem.
A Game That Caught Me Off Guard
I am sorry, Will Robinson, I am afraid I goofed.
The Robot from Lost in Space 1965-68
Now I’m going to be upfront, The Invincible was not what I was expecting in terms of gameplay. Everything I’d seen on the store page made me think that this would a race against time to rescue your lost crew mates from the unexplored planet Regis III. While yes you are attempting to rescue them and get off this eerie world, the game takes its time to tell the story.
You see, The Invincible is a first-person sci-fi adventure game that, whilst featuring classic atompunk technology, keeps itself grounded in real science. So, you won’t be charging around doing crazy jumps across the alien landscape, you’re an average person walking around in a heavy spacesuit. Everything is much more sedate. This is by no means a bad thing though, as it allows you to engross yourself in the superb story.
Classic Sci-Fi Brought to Life
The fool, the meddling idiot! As though his ape’s brain could contain the secrets of the Krell!
Dr Morbius from The Forbidden Planet 1956
In The Invincible, you step into the space suit of an astrobiologist called Yasna. They wake up on the surface of Regis III, suffering from a nasty case of short-term amnesia and a broken transmitter. From here, she must locate the rest of the crew of the Dragonfly, who lost contact with the ship while exploring the planet. All this against the backdrop of a timer, as the most powerful battleship of the Cosmosolidary Alliance, The Invincible, is fast approaching.
Eventually, after exploring the stunning landscapes of this desert planet, you will discover the fate of her crewmates and regain contact with Astrogator Novik back on the Dragonfly. From here, the story unfolds before you, with many twists and turns that I won’t spoil, but it is classic sci-fi.
Which is fitting, as this game is based upon the 1964 novel of the same name by Stanisław Lem. This game weaves its narrative expertly into the original story, even some of the originals characters pop up every so often. So, if you’ve read it, you probably have some idea of what’s in store for Yasna. The story of the Dragonfly is a brand-new addition, featuring an original cast of characters.
My Thoughts on this Sci-Fi Romp
It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.
Ursula K. Le Guin, The Left Hand of Darkness
Once I got over my initial confusion on just how this game plays, I was hooked. The story and gameplay perfectly match the setting, the slow pace lets you immerse yourself in this world. What’s more, every choice matters. Each playthrough can change depending on what decisions you make, lending this game to be played multiple times. This really was a game I didn’t know I needed, but I am very grateful I got to experience it going in blind.
The graphics are gorgeous, with bleak yet beautiful landscapes and amazing attention to detail paid to everything you interact with. Regis III is a stunningly designed planet, from its eerily lit deep caverns to wide-open deserts. Every area is a joy to explore, and don’t get me started on the skybox with the gorgeous ringed planet hanging there. Yasna’s equipment features just the right amount of atompunk chic, too. With robots plucked from the silver screen, chunky yet believable scanners and trackers, and habitation units inspired by classic artwork from the 50s/60s.
The sound design also draws you in to the world, everything helps you to believe that you are trapped on an alien planet. All you can expect to hear for the most part is Yasna’s footsteps, the wind blowing around you, Yasna’s breathing, and the beeps and boops of your equipment. There is some music, but it is for the most part sedate, just for ambience, but when something impactful is happening the music can swell. It is a hauntingly beautiful score, again very reminiscent of the science fiction films of the 50s and 60s, helping to create the perfect ambience this game calls for.
The Invincible Specifications
The Invincible is available to play on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. To play this game on PC, these are the official requirements:
| Component | Minimum Specs | Recommended Specs |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 10 (64-bit) |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or Intel i5-10400F | AMD Ryzen 7 5800X or Intel i7-10700 |
| Memory | 8GB | 16GB |
| Graphics | AMD R7 260x (2GB) or NVIDIA GTX 760 (2GB) | Radeon 6600XT (8GB) or NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti (6GB) |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Storage | 40GB Available Space | 40GB Available Space |
| Additional Notes | SSD (Preferred), HDD (Supported). Framerate might drop in graphics-intensive scenes. Ultrawide screen supported. | SSD. Framerate might drop in graphics-intensive scenes. Ultrawide screen supported. 5.1 headphones or 5.1 sound system recommended. |
The Best PCs to Play The Invincible
Good customers are as rare as latinum. Treasure them.
Ferengi 57th Rule of Acquisition
Ferengi 57th Rule of Acquisition
Now, I’m not sure what specs the computers on The Dragonfly or The Invincible are packing, but if you want the best experience playing this stunning game then you’ll need a setup to do it justice. Here at Overclockers UK, we can do just that, with computers, monitors, and sound systems perfectly suited to enjoy this game to its fullest.
Refract Gaming Celeste Pre-Built Gaming PC
Live out your Celestial dreams of exploring the stars with the Refract Gaming Celeste. Packed with hardware that could take us to the moon again, the Celeste boasts an AMD Ryzen 7 7700X CPU that is paired with 32GB of super-fast DDR5 memory. The perfect combination to deliver phenomenal performance calculating those landing instructions! To render Rigel III in all its breathtaking glory, the Celeste boasts an NVIDIA RTX 4070 GPU, which utilises NVIDIA’s latest technologies such as DLSS 3.5 and Real Time Ray Tracing.
Even better, the Refract Celeste is a pre-built gaming PC, meaning it has been built, fully tested, and is ready to ship next day (subject to stock). You can start exploring the galaxy as soon as possible! What’s more, with a three-year parts and labour warranty, you don’t have to worry about your computer scuppering your adventures.
OcUK Gaming Germanium Z7 Configurable PC
An astronaut is meant to be the best of the best. If you’re going to play one, then you need the best of the best equipment. Enter the OcUK Gaming Germanium Z7. This gaming PC features one of the latest processors from Intel, the Core i7-14700KF, a twenty-core powerhouse CPU capable of easily handling the most complex of workloads. We have paired this processor with up to 64GB of high-speed DDR5 5200MHz RAM, perfect for delivering fast-paced performance. Even better the OcUK Germanium Z7 features an NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU, the most powerful graphics card currently available, perfect for playing all your favourite games on ultra settings.
What’s more, the OcUK Germanium Z7 is a configurable gaming PC. This means you can customise it to perfectly match your needs. You can adjust the GPU, storage, and OS, alongside adding even more storage and RGB lighting. We make adjusting these components easy, either through our online configurator or by giving our sales team a call.
LG 49″ 49WQ95C-W NANO IPS Ultrawide Monitor
The Invincible is an immersive game, and what better way to fully lose yourself in the cosmos than to fill your whole field of view? To create a more captivating experience The Invincible supports ultrawide monitors, which makes the 49″ LG 49WQ95C-W the perfect choice to play this game. This monitor delivers phenomenal performance, with a 144Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time, your games will play amazingly well. What’s more, they will feel more lifelike than ever before, thanks to the fantastic colour reproduction of the IPS panel, which boasts a DCI-P3 colour gamut of 98%.
EPOS GSP 670 Premium Closed Acoustic Wireless 7.1 Surround Gaming Headset
Create the perfect soundscape for all your games with the EPOS GSP 670 Premium Wireless Headset. The powerful drivers are contained in closed-back ear cups, that deliver high-fidelity in-game audio. What’s more, the EPOS Gaming Suite software allows you to customise this headset for surround sound while using it with a PC, letting you hear noise from every direction. With this headset, every gust of wind on Regis III will flow past you as if you were there. What’s more, the cutting-edge wireless technology delivers low latency sound without the need for messy cables. Even better, with both Bluetooth and USB connectivity, you can use the EPOS GSP 670 with a range of consoles alongside your PC.
Are you Ready to Go Where No One Has Gone Before?
Are you ready to get your interstellar adventures underway? Let us know in the comment section below if you’ve been giving The Invincible a go.
PC specs are subject to change.
- 9 min read
Simon Procter
Author
Having been a gaming nut for longer than he cares to think, Simon landed his dream job over a year ago at Overclockers UK. Since then, he has written many product pages and category texts. He even gets released from the basement to write the odd cheeky blog post. When not working, you can often find him entrenched in World of Warcraft, visiting friends to have his butt whooped in a board game, or with his nose buried in a book.
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