New Sci-Fi Steam Game Looks Like Max Payne Meets The Mandalorian

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The new Steam game, Riftwalker, is a surprising blend of influences, feeling like a mix of Max Payne, The Mandalorian, and even Dune. While many games on Steam try to combine popular franchises, Riftwalker is unique in how it brings together seemingly unrelated worlds.

Though seemingly different from shows like The Mandalorian and films like Dune, the game Riftwalker successfully blends elements of both into a unique action RPG. It centers around bounty hunting and should appeal to fans of both Star Wars and Dune.

Riftwalker Features at a Glance

  • EXPLORE seven worlds
  • HUNT bounties
  • UPGRADE your gear
  • CUSTOMIZE your character
  • RIDE space bikes
  • SHOOT enemies in Max Payne-style slow-motion scenes
  • HACK devices
  • BUILD a reputation
  • COMBINE ranged and melee attacks

Riftwalker’s Core Gameplay Explained

Riftwalker is a story-driven sci-fi action RPG.

Ethan McKinnon, the sole developer of Riftwalker, calls it a story-rich, sci-fi action RPG where you play as a bounty hunter. You’ll travel to seven unique worlds, taking on increasingly difficult jobs. While the game focuses on a single-player story, it also lets you explore freely. According to the game’s Steam page, you can “move freely between connected planets” and discover settlements, strongholds, secret paths, and ancient ruins.

The game offers in-depth RPG elements, letting you customize your character with a skill tree and lasting upgrades that affect how you play. You’ll be able to improve four key areas: physical strength (Body), speed (Reflex), intelligence (Mind), and willpower (Soul). Staying true to its science fiction theme, Riftwalker includes customizable cybernetic implants and helpful companion devices like drones.

Fans of The Mandalorian Will Be Interested in Riftwalker

Image via Ethan McKinnon

The main character in Riftwalker is a bounty hunter traveling through space, and fans of Star Wars, especially those who enjoy The Mandalorian (Din Djarin), will likely see similarities. The game’s creator, Ethan McKinnon, has openly said that The Mandalorian was a key influence on the bounty-hunting aspects of the gameplay.

Fans of Star Wars will be excited about the game’s futuristic space motorcycles, which are very similar to the iconic Speeder Bikes. Players will likely use these vehicles to travel and discover the diverse landscapes across all seven game worlds.

The Action Is Inspired by Max Payne

Image via Ethan McKinnon

I was really interested to hear the developer, Ethan McKinnon, talk about how Max Payne influenced Riftwalker. He said the biggest things he took from that classic game were the gritty, dark story and the way the combat feels. And get this – Riftwalker is going to have bullet-time, just like Max Payne! But he was quick to add that they’re not just copying it. They’re tweaking the slow-motion to fit Riftwalker’s own style of shooting, so it’ll feel fresh and unique.

Riftwalker’s Setting Is Reminiscent of Dune

Image via Ethan McKinnon

Based on what we’ve seen in trailers, the environments in Riftwalker seem strongly influenced by the desert planet Arrakis from the Dune series. These desert landscapes are central to the game’s world, although it’s currently unknown if it will include creatures similar to those in Dune. The game’s Steam page mentions dangerous, roaming creatures, which suggests the possibility of alien life.

Riftwalker’s Development and Release

Ethan McKinnon is the sole developer behind the game Riftwalker and relies on fan support through Patreon. For $10 a month, patrons get to playtest new versions of the game before anyone else, and also receive special content like development insights and sneak peeks at what’s coming next.

McKinnon is planning to release an early version of the game on Steam in the next seven to eight months, though the specific date is still to be determined. Players who are excited about the game can add it to their Steam wishlist now to be notified as soon as it’s available.

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2026-02-02 04:04