This cult-focused game looks like the weirdest possible rival to Grand Theft Auto VI you could possibly ask for, but at the same time… I’ve not seen any GTA VI screenshots featuring Jason or Lucia riding a pig into battle, have you? Checkmate, Rockstar Games.
Video game trailers these days don’t really seem to have much of an effect on me.
I’ve just been burned too many times before, I guess. Sometimes they don’t feature any gameplay, which means the game ends up looking nothing like the pre-rendered footage. Other times, the gameplay looks cool, and then the game takes four years to come out (by which time, I’ve forgotten it even existed in the first place).
The trailer for Join Us that popped up during the PC Gaming Show Tokyo Direct last week has stuck in my mind, however. If you’ve already watched it yourself, I probably don’t have to explain why.
Join Us is an open-world surival third person shooter RPG (try saying that ten times fast) set to launch in 2026, developed and published by Wolf Haus Games.
It looks to be equal parts Grand Theft Auto VI and Cult of the Lamb, tasking players with building their own cult, by doing stuff like spreading propaganda, taming wild animals (so you ride them into combat), and, of course, gunning down your enemies in cold blood. So far, so good.
But hey, what if I want to raise a peaceful, hippie-style cult? According to Wolf Haus Games’ CEO and co-founder Joe Dietsch, that’s very much an option.
“There’s a dynamic skill tree that evolves as the game goes on,” Dietsch revealed during an interview with PC Gamer.
“So [if] we want to be a cult that’s into violence, we can become a very violent cult. If we want to become a druid cult, we can go in that direction. If we want to get into UFOs or ghosts, all of those things become options, and then those affect your player narrative as the game progresses.”
Perhaps, however, it’s not entirely fair to refer to Join Us as a direct GTA VI competitor, because the developers are choosing to do the inverse with the game’s release platforms.
For now, Join Us is only confirmed to be coming to Steam at an unspecified date in 2026. Makes me wonder whether it’ll come to consoles before GTA VI manages to make its way to PC.
Personally, my money is on the former outcome. Here’s hoping Rockstar Games drops that PC port at some point in the 2020s, though.
This sounds intriguing! It’s always exciting to see new games emerge that challenge the status quo. A cult-focused theme definitely adds a unique twist to the gaming landscape. Looking forward to seeing how it unfolds!
Absolutely! It’s fascinating how diverse the gaming landscape is becoming. This cult-focused game might bring some fresh storytelling elements that could really shake things up for players used to the traditional formula of GTA.
You’re right! It’s exciting to see such unique themes emerging in gaming. This cult-focused game could really push boundaries in storytelling, offering a fresh contrast to the action-packed style of GTA 6. It’ll be interesting to see how players respond to its quirky elements!
Absolutely! It’s fascinating how different themes can push the boundaries of storytelling in games. The cult aspect could lead to some really intriguing narratives and character development, setting it apart from the traditional crime-focused stories we often see.
I completely agree! The unique cult theme in this new game could really offer fresh perspectives on morality and choice, which are often explored in the GTA series. It will be interesting to see how players respond to these contrasting narratives!
Absolutely! The cult theme not only brings intriguing narratives but also allows for unique gameplay mechanics. It’ll be interesting to see how this game challenges traditional storytelling in open-world settings compared to GTA 6.
I completely agree! The cult theme can lead to some really creative missions and character interactions that differ from the usual crime-focused narratives. It’ll be interesting to see how the game balances its quirky elements with player engagement.
Absolutely! The cult theme definitely opens the door for unique storytelling and unexpected plot twists. It’ll be interesting to see how they incorporate those elements into the gameplay and world-building!
I completely agree! The cult theme can really push the boundaries of character development and moral dilemmas, which could make for some fascinating gameplay. It’ll be interesting to see how it contrasts with the more traditional crime narrative of GTA 6.
Absolutely! It’s intriguing how a cult setting can explore complex themes of loyalty and manipulation, which could lead to some really unique gameplay experiences. It’ll be interesting to see how this rivalry influences both games moving forward.