It's always exciting news when a new Xbox Game Pass title is announced. It's even more exciting to have that announcement for a Day One release on Xbox Game Pass. Even better yet if it's for a previously unannounced game that's also an Xbox Game Pass Day One release, which is exactly what Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is. A cinematic announcement trailer for Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn confirms that the open-world action RPG will be launching on Xbox Game Pass in 2022.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn comes from developer A44, which previously developed the incredibly well-received open-world action RPGAshen. The New Zealand-based studio's next game will put players in the role of Nor, who wields a mix of guns and magic in a conflict wherein balances the fate of humanity. Nor will also have an animal companion by their side, helping them in unique ways. Given the quality of Ashen, expectations will be high for Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn come launch.
For those unfamiliar with Ashen, it was very clearly directly inspired by From Software's RPGs including the Dark Souls trilogy. The game featured a unique cel-shaded style of graphics, as well as simplified character progression based around Talismans and equipment. Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, judging by its announcement trailer, looks to be moving even closer to From Software's RPGs, leaving behind cel-shading for a higher fidelity presentation. The Souls-like gameplay and atmosphere certainly appear to be returning, too.
While Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn will be launching Day One on Xbox Game Pass, it's not going to be exclusive to Xbox platforms. A44 also confirmed that Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn will launch on PC, PS4, and PS5, in addition to Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. For those worried Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn might be exclusive to the Epic Games Store like Ashen was, Steam support has already been confirmed.
Ashen's publisher was Annapurna Interactive, but it appears that A44 is going in a new direction with Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn. They won't be self-publishing, exactly, but they have joined with other developers to form Kepler Interactive. Kepler is a global publisher co-owned by A44, as well as studios including Sifu's Sloclap, Scorn's Ebb Software, and four others.
For the time being, A44 and Kepler are keeping details regarding Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn close to the chest. With a release date in 2022, however, more information is certain to be delivered soon. Given the quality of Ashen, expectations are going to be high for the open-world action RPG.
