Bonaparte: A Mechanized Revolutionis an upcoming strategy game with a unique alt-history twist. Set in a sci-fi interpretation of revolutionary France,Bonaparteis promising an incredibly unique setting.
A gameplay combination of political and military maneuvering, the upcomingBonaparteshould easily appeal to fans of titles like thestrategy games of Paradox Interactive. Studio Imugi’s flagship release is set to hit digital shelves later this month in early access, offering players a take on revolutionary France ripe with steampunk-styled mecha. Game Rant sat down with creative director Jongwoo Kim, who spoke more about what the title’s unique world will look like.
Bonaparte: A Mechanized Revolution Will Bring Mecha to Revolutionary France
Bonaparte’s Alternate History
TheupcomingBonaparte: A Mechanized Revolutionwill base its sci-fi trappings on one central alt-history twist. In the game’s timeline, the Phlogiston Theory (an alternate theory of combustion that was accepted in the late 18th century but has since been superseded) is a scientific truth. Kim explained that Phlogiston Theory “became a fascinating symbol for this alternate timeline, as the theory itself and the resulting Colossi allow us to visually express to the player that this is an alternate timeline where new possibilities can be pursued.”
Phlogiston Theory works both as an explanation ofhowEvangelion-style mechacould exist in a period only roughly 38 years removed from the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, as well as a “symbol” for the altered timeline. Kim also spoke on how these sci-fi elements (or “alternate history with authenticity” elements, as the team calls them) will manifest in-game:
“We took great care to research late 18th century and early 19th century aesthetics to try to capture the spirit of the era in our designs. While we wanted to depict this alternate timeline, we needed to ensure that the world still looked like the revolutionary France of 1789. To do so, we avoided the more typical “tin can” look of steampunk or “tank” look of dieselpunk projects, and instead drew inspiration from historical officer uniforms, as well as the ideals of each faction. The Royalist colossi are lavishly decorated with silver and gold plating and the Fleur-de-lys, the symbol of the French Monarchy. By contrast, the Jacobins have a much more rundown, rusty look, reminiscent of the rowdy sans-culotte street fighters of the era.”
Bonaparte and French History
In conjunction with the more high-concept aspectsof the upcomingBonaparteand the factions depicted within, Studio Imugi also dealt with the historical realities of the era in creating the timeline’s politics. Kim discussed the many political ideas that form the more realistic parts of the setting.
“Liberalism, as espoused by Marquis de Lafayette, encompasses such basic rights present in Western democracies, but this has only been possible due to the success of the French Revolution. By contrast, Comte d’Artois, who eventually became king himself after the revolution, genuinely believes it is in France’s best interest to return to medieval-style absolute monarchy ruled by a divine king and guided by the church. To his credit, a substantial portion of the French people would have agreed with him at the time. The intention was to try and allow the player to explore the mindset at the time, and really see that all of these contending ideologies were fighting for dominance in France, and it could have ended in many different outcomes.”
Moreover, Kim also went into the specific figures that the game will depict—withBonaparterealizing historical figures in a mannersimilar to theCivilizationseries. According to Kim, the team were especially fond of developing Jacques Hebert, Robespierre, and Danton, but also had to cut figures such as Jean-Paul Marat, Charlotte Corday, and Louis-Nicolas Davout.
