The Paradoxical Brilliance of The Invincible

Stanisław Lem, a renowned Polish literary figure and futurist, penned The Invincible in 1964, and now, nearly six decades later, Starward Industries is undertaking the ambitious task of translating it into a video game. The Invincible provides a narrative that mirrors the events of the novel while incorporating its own distinct elements of gamification, charisma, and characters. Naturally, this endeavor is particularly challenging due to the complex philosophical and scientifically-grounded writings of Lem.

Often hailed as a tale exploring the various realms of life and their position in the vast universe, The Invincible challenges the widely held belief that humanity represents the pinnacle of evolution. This novel, and subsequently the upcoming adventure game, delves into the significance of humanity and its capacity for innovative thinking. The interplay between these concepts of evolution and human ingenuity is profound and occasionally intricate to comprehend, yet it originates from the mind of a man who accurately predicted the existence of drones, smartphones, and the internet. The method through which Starward Industries conveys all of these ideas and more in the video game adaptation of The Invincible remains to be witnessed. However, during a recent interview with our website, writer Olga Piech shed light on how the title embraces the irony associated with its name.

The marketing of The Invincible revolves around two key phrases: "Not Everything Everywhere is For Us" and "per aspera ad astra." These phrases may appear contradictory at first glance. The latter is a Latin phrase from two millennia ago, signifying "through hardship to the stars." Its essence lies in the belief that obstructions and difficulties are necessary for personal and societal growth, reminiscent of humanity's unending pursuit of expansion and exploration. Space is often regarded as the ultimate frontier, exemplified by Elon Musk's SpaceX endeavor to establish a colony on Mars.

Meanwhile, the previous statement acknowledges that not everything everywhere belongs to humanity, nor should it be something that humanity strives for. Lem had a somewhat nihilistic perspective on evolution and did not believe that humanity was the pinnacle of evolution; in fact, he believed to some extent that our ambitions would lead to our downfall. The Invincible game embraces this irony, just like the novel did. The title can be linked to how many people perceive themselves as invincible, in line with "per aspera ad astra," but according to Piech, "This sentence should be interpreted in the context of the game with irony and a certain bitterness. People seem to believe that they are invincible, that they will conquer everything, and it will bring them glory."

Instead, the self-ambition and confidence often lack a solid foundation, posing a challenge for Yasna, the protagonist of The Invincible. However, Lem does not fully subscribe to the nihilistic notion that ambition inevitably leads to downfall. Instead, he suggests that humanity's uniqueness lies not in its constant desire for expansion and ambition, but in its potential to comprehend its place in the vast universe. This distinguishes us from machines and other entities. In The Invincible, Lem presents the belief that our awareness of our cosmic existence grants us a distinct "advantage" as humans.

How Yasna tackles this awareness, the ambition of her mission, and the vastness of The Invincible's narrative are yet to be revealed. However, one thing is certain - the team at Starward Industries truly embody Stanisław Lem's works. Marek Markuszewski, CEO of Starward Industries, describes their work on The Invincible as their "destiny," highlighting their acknowledgment of the significant role they play in the game's development. It is not only important for Poland but also for all fans of Lem.

The Invincible

The Invincible is an immersive adventure game based on the captivating hard sci-fi writings of Stanislaw Lem. Players will embark on a thrilling journey as Yasna, venturing into the enigmatic world of Regis III to uncover the whereabouts of her lost crew members using a variety of innovative tools. Prepare to encounter unexpected dangers and unravel a captivating story.

Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S

Released: November 6, 2023

Developer: Starward Industries

Publisher(s): 11 Bit Studios

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am intrigued by the paradoxical brilliance of The Invincible. The game's title, "The Invincible," carries a profound irony that reflects the complex philosophical themes explored in Stanisław Lem's novel. The phrase "per aspera ad astra," meaning "through hardship to the stars," suggests that humanity's pursuit of expansion and exploration is an arduous journey filled with obstacles. However, the game's other tagline, "Not Everything Everywhere is For Us," challenges the notion that humanity is the pinnacle of evolution and that everything in the universe is within our reach. This dichotomy creates a fascinating tension that I am eager to experience in the game.

The Invincible game's narrative, which mirrors the events of the novel while incorporating unique elements of gamification, charisma, and characters, promises a captivating and thought-provoking experience. Lem's exploration of the significance of humanity and its capacity for innovative thinking resonates with me as a Gen Z fan who is deeply interested in the intersection of technology and philosophy. The interplay between evolution and human ingenuity is a profound concept that I believe is particularly relevant in our current age of rapid technological advancement.