Open-world crafting survival adventure Nightingale features a mix of historical and literary characters exploring the dangerous Fae Realms. Shakespeare's Puck serves as the player's guide, while programmer Ada Lovelace extends her lifespan with magic and Dr. Henry Jekyll struggles with his alter ego. One of the famous literary characters appearing in Nightingale is Victor Frankenstein, who developer Inflexion Games promises will be a complex and intriguing figure.
Victor Frankenstein, who is often mistaken for his monstrous creation, is the title character of Mary Shelley's classic 1818 novel. Frankenstein has become one of the most adapted books in the world, spawning films, comics, plays, games, and more. In a conversation with Game ZXC, Inflexion listed Frankenstein as one of the team's favorite characters to include in the game due to the complex themes they were able to explore with his story.
Inflexion CEO Explains How Nightingale Differs From Dragon Age and Mass Effect
Former BioWare general manager and Inflexion Games CEO Aaryn Flynn explains how Nightingale's story differs from Mass Effect and Dragon Age.
Nightingale's Frankenstein Explores Guilt And Redemption
Victor Frankenstein's story is one many Nightingale players will likely be familiar with. He successfully manages to create life, but the resulting "Creature" is described as hideous and shunned by human society. In the original novel, when Frankenstein refuses to build a bride for the Creature, he reacts by murdering several people close to his creator, including his wife Elizabeth. Victor Frankenstein ultimately dies attempting to end his creation's life, although the Creature is implied to later commit suicide. It is not yet known how close Nightingale's take on the character will hew to the original, but it seems to follow a similar beat (although some changes should be expected).
We were able to do some complex things with Victor Frankenstein, particularly around the topics of guilt and redemption that I think players will really connect with and love.
Guilt is an emotion that is very present in the original Frankenstein narrative, as Victor ultimately feels responsible for the Creature's suffering and the deaths caused as a result. However, the mention of "redemption" is particularly interesting. The original novel ended with Frankenstein dying before he could obtain any sort of redemption, failing in his quest to end the Creature's life. The focus on redemption hints that Nightingale will take the character's story in a different direction.
How Will Frankenstein's Monster Fare In The Fae Realms?
A key element of Nightingale's world and story is how its characters are affected by the apocalyptic Pale and the new connection between the human and Fae Realms. "We...consider how this person may have changed if the Fae were an important part of their world," Inflexion explained. Some, like journalist Nellie Bly and gentleman adventurer Allan Quartermain, are drawn to explore the new Realms. Others, like Ada Lovelace, are eager to learn and study everything they can about the changed world.
Victor Frankenstein is a character whose story could change in fascinating ways with the addition of the tricky Fae and their magic. If the events of the novel have already occurred at the time of Nightingale's setting, one could easily see him making a deal with the tricky Puck or another Fae character to restore his beloved wife Elizabeth to life. On the other hand, if he has not yet constructed the Creature, Nightingale's version could be an interesting hybrid of magic and science. Of course, another important question is how the Creature would fare in a world where nonhuman beings are starting to become the norm - would he finally find the acceptance he sought for so long? Would his superhuman strength prove an asset in a world where survival has suddenly become the most important thing?
It remains to be seen, but players do not have too long to wait, as Nightingale releases in Early Access on PC on February 20, 2024.
Nightingale
Nightingale is a PvE survival-crafting game developed by Inflexion Games, which is composed of former BioWare devs. Players must make their way across the Fae Realms, find their new home among the Realms, and discover what happened to the titular city. They can do so solo or via co-op, all under the guidance and tutelage of Puck - an ally, but can players truly trust him?
