We may not know what the future holds for Star Trek in television and film, but the newly formed Paramount Game Studios is at least committing to the franchise continues to explore new frontiers through video games.
Announced this week, Star Trek: Shadow Frontier is a new story-driven, action-adventure from Bloober Team, the Polish video game developer best known for its psychological horror titles, including the critically acclaimed Silent Hill 2 remake. Star Trek: Shadow Frontier is leaning into the developer's expertise, delivering a "mature, story-driven 3rd person action-adventure" that stars Ro Laren, one of Star Trek's most popular recurring characters.
"Step into the fractured mind of former Lieutenant Ro Laren (voiced by Michelle Forbes) as she seeks to rescue an old friend by embarking on a harrowing journey of survival and self-discovery," the developer teased, alongside the first trailer.
After crashing onto a distant planet overtaken by a strange consciousness, Ro Laren must survive in an environment that is as breathtaking as it is lethal.
In true Star Trek fashion, Ro’s mission is driven by duty and purpose. But here, discovery comes at a terrible cost. The more she uncovers, the deeper she is pulled into a corrupted labyrinth where her memories twist and the planet threatens to sever her connection to reality.
Only by solving the mysteries of this strange world can Ro hope to make peace with the demons of her past, boldly going into the heart of darkness like never before.
It's an intriguing premise and one we're not used to seeing from Star Trek. If this is the type of bold, new adventure we can expect from Paramount Game Studios, then I'm all in.
“We’ve long admired the way Bloober Team crafts deeply immersive, atmospheric experiences that keep players on the edge of their seats,” said Paramount Games Studio senior vice president and head of creative and production Shawn Kittelsen in a press release. “For Star Trek: Shadow Frontier, it was essential to partner with a studio that could both honor that legacy and push it forward. We have full confidence in Bloober’s ability to deliver a game that does justice to the Star Trek name while bringing something bold and new to the beloved franchise.”
"We’ve been waiting a long time to finally share what we’ve been working on. As lifelong fans of science-fiction, Star Trek has always held a special place in our hearts," added Bloober Team CEO Piotr Babieno. "By combining that passion with what we do best, horror, we’ve partnered with Paramount to create something truly unique: a new adventure set in a beloved universe, enriched with our own signature layer of dark, psychological thriller. We’re genuinely excited about this journey, and our hope is to honor the legacy of Star Trek in a way that feels both respectful yet refreshingly different.”
In terms of gameplay, Star Trek: Shadow Frontier blends exploration, puzzles, combat, and cinematic set-pieces. Players will have to utilize iconic Star Trek technology to explore and deal with environmental hazards. Your tricorder can scan and analyze items, while your Phaser can be used to solve puzzles and fend off enemies.
Star Trek: Shadow Frontier will be released for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC in 2027.