Clockwork Revolution: inXile’s steampunk RPG brings Chronometer time mechanic to Game Pass

inXile is assembling a retro-futurist sandbox with Clockwork Revolution, a first-person steampunk RPG slated for 2026 that centers on a Chronometer time-manipulation mechanic and is expected to arrive on Xbox Game Studios platforms with day-one Game Pass availability. The game’s setting is the steam-powered metropolis of Avalon, and the new details consolidate the basic shape of the project for players tracking next-generation RPGs.

Avalon is pitched as the game’s narrative and mechanical playground, where brass-and-gear aesthetics meet branching systems inspired by genre touchstones. The development team includes veterans who worked on Wasteland and Arcanum, and the studio cites influences such as BioShock and Arcanum for tone, level design, and systemic interaction. Those pedigree signals suggest a focus on environmental storytelling, player choice, and layered RPG systems rather than a strictly linear shooter experience.

The Chronometer mechanic is the headline feature. Early footage and gameplay highlights shown so far place time manipulation at the core of the experience, separating Clockwork Revolution from more conventional action-RPGs. How the Chronometer will integrate with combat, exploration, and player builds remains to be fully revealed, but its centrality implies meaningful changes to encounter design, puzzle structure, and replay strategies. For players who like to tinker with systems, a well-implemented time tool could open up emergent play and inventive problem solving.

Platform details are partly confirmed. Clockwork Revolution is expected on PC and Xbox Series X, with PlayStation 5 availability listed as uncertain. The expectation of a first-party Xbox Game Studios tie and day-one Game Pass launch matters for community planning: Game Pass subscribers will likely see the title without an extra upfront purchase, while players on other platforms may need to wait for confirmation of a wider release. The project remains pegged to a 2026 release window; exact date, pricing, and edition details are still pending.

What to watch next: official word on platform exclusivity, a firm release date, and additional gameplay that clarifies how the Chronometer changes player decisions and builds. For modders and RPG-focused players, confirmation of PC feature sets and save/mod support will be especially important.

Clockwork Revolution looks to blend steampunk flavor with systems-driven design. If the Chronometer lives up to its billing and the Wasteland/Arcanum pedigree translates into deep systems, the game could become a staple for players who favor choice-heavy, mechanically rich RPGs. Expect more footage and platform confirmations in the coming months as inXile tightens up its roadmap.