Darksiders Genesis fans have something to look forward to in DUST: Origins. Developed by Airship Syndicate, which is made up of devs behind the aforementioned 2019 top-down hack and slash, DUST: Origins had its debut trailer launch during Gamescom Opening Night, and has a Kickstarter underway ahead of its 2027 release on Steam.
DUST: Origins is an isometric horror shooter set aboard the doomed orbital prison platform Limbo-6. Abruptly freed from cryo-prison, players must fight to escape a murderer’s row of violent criminals and horrifying monsters before the station tears itself apart. There’s more than one way to escape the prison, but beware: actions have consequences.
“DUST is the universe we’ve been dying to build,” says Airship Syndicate CEO and co-founder Joe Madureira. “After years spent bringing beloved fantasy worlds to life, our team is pouring everything into a sci fi setting that’s darker, meaner, and unlike anything we’ve made before. On Limbo-6 there are no saints, only survivors and we can’t wait for players to fight their way out.”
“We put our own money on the line for DUST: Origins because it’s the kind of game we think players want today,” explains Airship Syndicate president and co-founder Rayn Stefanelli. “It’s a premium, single-player experience you can play, love, and move on to the next game. Kickstarter isn’t about whether DUST ships, It’s about giving our community a seat at the table, making it better, and seeing together just how far we can take it.”
With Limbo-6 is in total collapse, its orbit decaying, no one aboard is your friend. Ammo is scarce and resources are limited. As a result, positioning, ammo conservation and crafting, and environmental hazards make every encounter skillful and tactical.
Other survivors roam the station with motivations of their own. Help them, and they may open new paths, items, and side missions. Or go lone wolf and leave them to their fate. Limbo-6 was also a bio-engineering site, and its alien test subjects have escaped containment. Observe their behaviors and exploit their weaknesses. But take care, as some creatures are more than what they initially seem.
Player choices genuinely shape how the story unfolds, with multiple endings, post-credits epilogues, and unique “dead ends.” Anyone can live, and anyone can die. Furthermore, every ending, post-credits epilogue, or dead end discovered unlocks stash items to carry into New Game+, along with added difficulties.