Quantum Break is part game, part tv show, all action

Time after time

When Quantum Break was unveiled during Microsoft's Xbox One reveal event, we had no clue as to what the hell it actually was. It looked like a game--except it also looked like a TV show. Turns out it's both. During a behind closed doors look at Remedy Entertainment's latest project, creative director Sam Lake provided a few more details on what he calls a "cinematic action story."

The premise is centered around a time warping experiment gone wrong, which grants three people--protagonists Jack Joyce and Beth Wilder, as well as antagonist Paul Serene--with time-bending powers. Good ol' Paul uses his for evil, whereas Jack and Beth aim to reverse the damaging time anomalies caused by the aforementioned experiment. This story is told through a mix of traditional third-person gunplay action (think Max Payne) and investigative sequences, all of which let you harness some badass time abilities. Unfortunately, the folks at Remedy wouldn't share many details regarding how the game's mechanics or how it plays.

But Quantum Break isn't just a game; it's a transmedia experience, with much of its story told via a live-action television series. When you buy the Xbox One-exclusive title, the game and the first season of its TV counterpart come packaged on the disc--Lake mentioned it'll be episodic in nature. During certain parts of the game, you'll have to make decisions that will drastically alter the course of your story, which also creates a personalized live-action television series tailored to your choices. We're a bit worried that this might be a bit intrusive, though, in that the show could be more of a necessary component to the overall experience than a supplemental one. Details are scarce at this time, but still, this admittedly ambitious transmedia experiment has us eager to see more.

Check out the following images for more information about Quantum Break.

Monarch is the name of an organization owned and operated by the evil Paul Serene--you'll probs be shooting a lot of these dudes.

Protagonists Jack and Beth can supposedly use their time powers during battle, though we didn't get to see this in action.

In addition to gunplay, there are also some investigative scenes in which you'll have to use time anomalies to your advantage.

And THIS is a scene from the live-action TV series of Quantum Break, featuring a mega creepy little girl.