(SeaPRwire) –
By: James Vance
For years, Star Trek gaming has been stuck in a safe, boring loop. Every new title leans on Kirk, Picard, or other iconic captains, retreading the same adventure-focused tone. Fans have begged for something bolder that taps into the franchise’s deep roster of underrated characters. No studio has dared to break the formula, even as most Trek games underperform commercially and critically.
Ro Laren first appeared 35 years ago, in 1991’s Star Trek: The Next Generation S5 episode “Ensign Ro”. The Bajoran officer joined the Enterprise-D after a court martial, rose to lieutenant, then defected to the Maquis. She returned in Star Trek: Picard S3 as a commander, making amends with Picard before a heroic sacrifice. Now she’s the lead of Star Trek: Shadow Frontier, a new triple-A game from Bloober Team, the studio behind 2019’s Blair Witch and 2024’s Silent Hill 2 remake. Michelle Forbes is reprising her role as Ro. The game is a psychological thriller, set before Ro’s Maquis defection. She gets stranded on an unknown planet full of abandoned ships, investigating its secrets, with fungal growth reminiscent of Dead Space.
Star Trek has tested horror before, with Robert Bloch-penned The Original Series episodes and the horror-tinged First Contact. Shadow Frontier launches in 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Paramount is playing a smart double game with this release. It pulls in long-time Trek fans who have waited decades for more Ro Laren content. It also taps into the booming survival horror market, where Bloober Team has a loyal existing fanbase. The game does not tie into any current show releases, so it can stand on its own merits without cross-promotion pressure. If Shadow Frontier hits sales targets, Paramount will roll out at least three more character-focused niche Trek games by 2030.
Author bio: James Vance, senior columnist at leading international tech and gaming weekly Digital Frontier, covering entertainment tech and IP adaptation.