The latest title from Sam Barlow and his Half Mermaid studio, Precognition, now has a confirmed release period and official name. Slated for a spring 2028 launch, this sci-fi horror game is set to be among the debut offerings from Kinetic’s new publishing division, the team responsible for the acclaimed Phasmophobia.
Sam Barlow, recognized for pushing storytelling boundaries in projects like Her Story and Immortality, aims to deliver another distinctive narrative journey with this upcoming release.
Core Gameplay: Manipulating Memories
The heart of Precognition revolves around Diana, a former prodigy blessed with a photographic memory. The story is propelled by a brain implant experiment that allows Diana to foresee her own future—unlike other test subjects, she alone retains these glimpses. This extraordinary ability fundamentally shapes the gameplay, with memory collection as its key system.
Players will sift through Diana’s foresight-driven visions, choosing crucial moments to memorize. These selected future memories directly influence Diana’s fate, leading to pivotal changes akin to a “butterfly effect,” as described by Barlow. The game thus places narrative power squarely in the hands of players, who are able to impact outcomes in immediate and significant ways through their decisions.
Working with Brandon Cronenberg
For this project, Barlow has joined forces with Brandon Cronenberg—the filmmaker behind Infinity Pool, Possessor, and Antiviral—to co-create both the story and its development. Cronenberg brings his expertise in horror cinema to the interactive realm, leveraging the legacy of his father, David Cronenberg, director of cult classics like The Fly.
Speaking after the game’s reveal, Barlow outlined how gameplay revolves around accumulating “Polaroids of the future.” Players choose memories varying from the mundane, such as lottery numbers, to those rich in emotional stakes, like the revelation of secret relationships. This system, according to Barlow, empowers players to “create and sculpt an inventory to steer the future,” and results in a gameplay loop that is both exciting and surprising.
Agency and Impact Embedded in the Narrative
Barlow pointed out that player autonomy is at the core of Precognition. By selectively memorizing elements of future events, players can effectively alter both scenarios and outcomes. He emphasized that the design is immediately approachable while still allowing for deep manipulation of the unfolding plot. As Barlow put it during the Q&A, “It is a diegetic mechanic and it has these direct consequences for the story that unfolds.”
The release of Precognition is planned for PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, and the upcoming Switch 2. With its innovative mechanics and strong narrative foundation, the game is positioned to captivate fans who appreciate experimental interactive fiction as excitement mounts for its arrival.