From GoldenEye to Beyond Words: the creators reinvent themselves with a word-based roguelite
Steve Ellis and David Doak — key figures behind the legendary GoldenEye 007 and the shooter series TimeSplitters — are making a radical turn in their careers. After decades crafting first-person shooters and spy action games, they now unveil a new project that abandons bullets, 3D environments and conventional combat. Instead, their latest creation aims to deliver something entirely different: a game centered on language, strategy and replayability.
The new game, called Beyond Words, is described as a “word-craft roguelite”: a fusion of puzzle, strategy and storytelling, where the core mechanics revolve around creating words, unlocking modifiers and overcoming challenges. This bold move reflects their desire to explore new creative territories and offer players a novel kind of experience.
What is Beyond Words? Gameplay, mechanics and potential
Beyond Words is far removed from traditional shooters. Its core gameplay focuses on forming words, solving puzzles, customizing modifiers, and strategic decision-making. Key features include:
- Over 300 unique skills and modifiers, allowing deep customization and varied strategies.
- Word-craft mechanics: each run offers different combinations, encouraging experimentation and creativity, making every playthrough unique.
- Multiple play-styles: players can choose between a methodical, strategic pace or more frantic “time-attack” or high-risk boards with shifting rules.
- High replay value: being roguelite, the game emphasizes replayability, adaptability and strategic mastery over repetition.
By shifting from guns to letters, from reflexes to thinking, Beyond Words aims to challenge players in new ways — appealing to fans of puzzles, strategy and creative gameplay.
Platforms, release schedule and early access
Beyond Words is scheduled for release in early 2026, and will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
A demo ya está disponible en PC (Steam), lo que permite a los jugadores probar una versión preliminar, conocer sus mecánicas y anticiparse al juego final.
Este lanzamiento multiplataforma, junto con la demo anticipada, demuestra que los desarrolladores apuestan fuerte por su idea y buscan alcanzar tanto a viejos fans como a nuevos jugadores interesados en algo diferente.
Why this change makes sense
This bold re-invention has solid reasons behind it:
- Creative renewal. After years in the shooter genre, the creators seem eager to explore new forms of expression and gameplay.
- Market openness to experimentation. As many shooters saturate the market, there’s room for original, thoughtful, and experimental games — and Beyond Words fits that niche.
- Accessibility and broad appeal. A word-based game can attract players who prefer puzzles, strategy and creativity over fast reflexes and violent action.
- Artistic and narrative ambition. By focusing on words, mechanics and player choices rather than guns, the game leans toward a more cerebral, design-driven experience — a blend of gameplay and creative expression.
What it means for players
For fans of GoldenEye and TimeSplitters, this may be unexpected — but Beyond Words offers a fresh chance to rediscover the talents behind those classics. It isn’t a nostalgic throwback, but a bold experiment, an invitation to play differently.
If you enjoy challenges that involve brainpower, creativity or strategic thinking — rather than twitch reflexes — this could be one of the most interesting releases of 2026.
Beyond Words isn’t trying to please shooters’ fans only: it’s redefining what a game from veteran developers can look like today.
Conclusion
Beyond Words is a courageous leap into uncharted territory: from bullets to letters, from chaos to thoughtfulness, from spectacle to strategy.
It’s not just a change of genre — it’s a statement: games can surprise, evolve and reinvent themselves.
If you’re ready to leave behind traditional action and embrace puzzles, words and strategy, Beyond Words might just be the game that reshapes your expectations.
