Summary
Reforjis the name of a newly announced open-world multiplayer game with some seriousMinecraftvibes. Its similarity to Mojang’s flagship title is even stronger on account ofReforjcoming from a developer that’s best known for its numerousMinecraftports.
Minecraftis one of the most ported 21st-century games, and many of its ports were handled by 4J Studios. Over the five-year period ending in 2017, the Dundee, Scotland-based developer broughtMinecraftto everything from the Xbox 360 and PS3 to their next-gen successors, PS Vita, Wii U, and the Nintendo Switch. Since then, the Scottish company made a wacky couch co-op game calledManic Mechanics, which was treated to a multi-platform release in 2023.
4J Studios Shares First Look at Voxel Sandbox Game Reforj
4J Studios has now revealed its next project in the form ofReforj, amultiplayer survival gamewith procedurally generated open worlds. The developer’s announcement included some pre-alpha footage from the game, which shows thatReforjwill boast a blocky aesthetic that makes it somewhat reminiscent ofMinecraft, especially when combined with its procedural environments and mechanics. However, 4J Studios' upcoming title will utilize voxel graphics rather than rely on polygons likeMinecraftdoes.
To that end, the Scottish company opted to createReforjusing its proprietary Elements Engine, which is specifically geared toward powering voxel sandbox experiences. 4J Studios originally unveiled thisgame engineback in May 2024, withReforjhence being set to serve as its first proper showcase. In terms of its gameplay loop, 4J Studios says that its upcoming game will task players with surviving in a hostile environment by building shelters, establishing settlements, and scavenging for resources. They will also have a chance to explore the remnants of some lost civilizations and take on a variety of mobs.
Reforj’s Building System Supports Sculpting Blocks
TheReforjpre-alpha footage also offers a glimpse of the game’swingsuit mechanics, which will allow players to quickly traverse large distances. While its user interface and building mechanics seem somewhat similar toMinecrafton the surface, there is one standout UI difference in thatReforjwill feature a fairly detailed minimap. Likewise, the game will allow players to sculpt blocks rather than merely place them, which should be conducive to creativity.
The game itself is currently lacking a release window, though 4J Studios did confirm that it’s planned to be released on both PlayStation and Xbox consoles, as well as PC. Given how Elements is specifically touted as a next-gen engine and seeing how it’s already 2024, the chances ofReforjreaching the PS4 and Xbox One appear slim to none.
