2014’s Keanu Reeves’ headliner “John Wick” proved to be the year’s biggest sleeper hit. Under the direction of stunt veterans David Leitch and Chad Stahelski (the latter who famously served as Reeves’ stunt double for “The Matrix”), the film constructed an arcane, underground world of contract killers, with the title character the most feared of all, set loose on a revenge mission after the murder of his beloved dog. Its 2017 sequel “John Wick: Chapter Two”, proved to be even better, expanding its mythos while delivering some of the year’s most ridiculously splendid action sequences. With the series’ third installment, “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum”, releasing today, the character now arguably rivals Neo as Reeves’ signature role, and as if there were any lingering doubt that was the case, the “John Wick” franchise” is set to expand even further with a newly announced video game adaptation, “John Wick Hex”!
Under their partnership with Lionsgate, the game is set to be produced by video game publisher Good Shepherd Entertainment, with gaming director Mike Bithell spearheading the project. Bithell describes “Hex” as a “fast-paced, action-oriented strategy game that makes you think and strike like John Wick”. Good Shepherd Entertainment also laid out what fans can expect from “Hex”:
“Created in close cooperation with the creative and stunt teams behind the films, John Wick Hex is fight-choreographed chess brought to life as a video game, capturing the series’ signature gun fu style while expanding its story universe. Players must choose every action and attack they make, while considering their immediate cost and consequences. Every move in John Wick Hex feels like a scene from the movies, and every fight contributes to your progress on the job and requires precise strategic thinking.”
Additionally, Lance Reddick and Ian McShane are set to voice their respective roles of Charon, the Concierge of the assassin safe haven known as The Continental, and the hotel’s manager Winston. Further cast members from the series are also reportedly set to voice their roles for “Hex”.
The animation style and gameplay of the announcement trailer certainly sells “Hex” as an immersive, loving ode to its namesake, especially in regards to its neon-driven visual palette, grappling-oriented martial arts, and precision-perfect gunplay. The latter will prove to be among the game’s more unique challenges for players, as it will reportedly retain the ammo-based realism of the films, with players operating on a reloadable but finite supply of ammunition. Release date is likely later this year, on PC and Mac exclusively via the Epic Games Store (with the console version following after), but with the announcement for “Hex” coming amid the final lead up to the release of “Parabellum”, the excitement for both is doubtlessly at fever pitch!
