The Red Expo exhibition, often likened to a revitalized IgroMir, proved valuable not only for visitors but also for industry press. The event underscored how the Russian game scene is branching into multiple directions, moving beyond indie titles and Slavic fantasy toward ambitious new projects with no direct contemporaries. Among the highlights shown during 1C Game Studios’ first-day presentation were a bold action title and a fresh IL-2 entry, both drawing keen attention. This article focuses on those two offerings and what they signal about the country’s evolving game landscape.
War of the Worlds: Siberia
War of the Worlds: Siberia is an action adventure announced about a year earlier, and it immediately sparked interest thanks to its unconventional setup. The game reimagines the classic novel by H. G. Wells, transporting the action from 19th‑century Britain to a Russia facing upheaval in that era. The developers stated they intend to stay faithful to the core canon while adjusting the ending, in which the Martians continue their invasion rather than succumbing to earthly diseases. This reinterpretation gives the project a distinctive flavor that blends historical atmosphere with science fiction conquest.
The era is realized with care. The protagonist is a village boy sent to study in the capital, where exposure to revolutionary ideas draws him into plans to assassinate the emperor. Rumors among his comrades suggest the royal secret police are aware and ready to act, which the arrival of the alien threat further unsettles. The Martian invasion disrupts every calculated move and forces people to flee Petrograd as danger closes in.
As the Martians remain an ominous distant presence, the cast encounters looters scrambling to rob pharmacies and shops. They may attack civilians if it serves their purposes, complicating the moral calculus of survival. Players confront these foes in close quarters or from a distance with firearms, testing both stealth and combat skills. Early on, defeating the Martian tripods proves unlikely, so the young revolutionary must hide, slip out of the enemy’s sight, and hope to avoid capture. These episodes heighten tension and illuminate the fates of those who fail to escape the invaders.
The gameplay promises a tactile blend of mechanics and meticulous detail that invites comparisons with acclaimed narrative-driven titles. The fusion of 19th‑century reality with futuristic technology creates echoes of strong storytelling found in other ambitious projects. Film and game fans may recall the visual and thematic atmosphere of similar works, while the setting evokes the revolutionary fervor and historical textures of old Russia with a cinematic sensibility.
Even in its early form, War of the Worlds: Siberia comes across as surprisingly fresh. The demo quality is high enough to raise expectations that the final product will meet the early promise. Observers note that Russian developers have shown they can deliver polished shooters set in familiar or inspired environments, a sentiment echoed by industry outlets. The release date has not been announced, with the development team indicating more details will appear in the future, per VG Times.
IL-2: Korea
1C representatives emphasized that the IL-2 series remains a reliable performer, consistently selling well despite broader market fluctuations. The franchise occupies a rare niche: a realistic World War II flight simulator that stands apart from most contemporary offerings and faces limited direct competition. Maintaining current visuals while expanding compatibility across platforms remains a priority for the team.
The core objective for IL-2: Korea was to translate the intense, precise controls of a hardcore flight sim to a 16-button gamepad, enabling console releases without diluting the sim’s essence. This approach may constrain graphical ambition to some extent, but developers insist the project showcases the latest technological advancements and a commitment to fidelity. Early videos and screenshots presented at the expo look striking and suggest a convincing balance between realism and accessibility.
Set during the Korean War (1950–1953), the game leans into the era’s pivotal aerial warfare, where jet-powered engagements began to redefine how battles were fought. This historical layer informs flight dynamics and air combat, offering players a taste of the era’s distinctive challenges. The campaign will center on the career trajectory of a squadron commander, delivering a narrative spine to a genre often defined by procedural depth and learning curves.
Questions linger for fans of 1C’s work: can War of the Worlds: Siberia and IL-2: Korea live up to the studio’s past successes, and how will they perform in North American and Canadian markets? Industry conversations continue as more details emerge, and readers with thoughts on these titles are welcome to join the discussion as the titles approach release. Observers note this evolving coverage by VG Times.