Tribetoy and Beep Games, Inc.’s old-timey arcade shooter based on early 20th-century parlour game cabinets, Bartlow’s Dread Machine, is out now on Xbox One and Steam for $14.99. After premiering on Steam Early Access earlier this summer, this release introduces the sixth and final chapter of this serial pulp adventure, as well as marks its console debut on Xbox One. To commemorate its launch, Tribetoy and Beep Games, Inc. have released a new trailer showcasing the parlous scrapes you’ll get into across your journey.
Set entirely within the confines of this titular relic from the dawn of the Electric Age, Bartlow’s Dread Machine casts one to two players as government agents in a series of escapades through New York, San Francisco, and all across the continent as they seek to rescue the kidnapped President Roosevelt from the forces of evil. But beware, sinister forces are at work!
Bound to the clockwork gizmos running this contraption, agents are mere metal figurines roving around on rails. But these aren’t any ordinary tin toys as they have free rein on how to navigate these forking networks of tracks. Think Pac-Man if he were made of metal, wore a cool peacoat, and was packing some serious heat! Sets made of wood and tin unfold around you in real-time as you navigate this immersive puppet show. Encounter a cast of improbable monsters and historical characters as you traverse the high seas and beyond using trains, ships and even a newfangled automobile!
Bartlow’s Dread Machine features a wealth of content with 6 worlds, 52 guns, and all manner of outfits to deck out your gumshoe. Unlock unique spins on historical characters, like Zombie General Custer, Nikola Tesla, Annie Oakley. Plus the drop-in / drop-out couch co-op contains per-player difficulty, allowing each player to set the challenge level to their preference.
“We wanted to create something we haven’t seen before and realized there was little overlap between early 20th century arcade cabinets and video games, as the latter essentially replaced the former, so we wanted to essentially combine the two,” said Matthew Hoseterey Co-Founder and Director of Design at Tribetoy. “Bartlow’s Dread Machine maintains the aesthetic and tone of the former, while instilling it with the buttery smooth gameplay and advanced design of the latter—the result being something utterly original. We can’t wait for players to discover it for themselves on Steam and Xbox!”
Launch Trailer:
September Update Trailer:
Bartlow’s Dread Machine Screenshots:
