John Wick Hex
A timeline strategy prequel set in the John Wick universe.
John Wick Hex is a 2019 tactical role-playing game developed by Bithell Games and originally published by Good Shepherd Entertainment. Based on the John Wick franchise, it serves as a narrative prequel to the film series. The Nintendo Switch port was released on 4 December 2020.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Bithell Games
- Publisher
- Good Shepherd Entertainment (2019–2024); Big Fan Games (2024–)
- Director
- Mike Bithell
- Producer
- Ben Andac; Amanda Kruse
- Series
- John Wick
- Composer
- Austin Wintory
- Platforms
- macOS
- Windows
- PlayStation 4
- Nintendo Switch
- Xbox One
- Genre
- Tactical role-playing
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
John Wick Hex is a timeline strategy game with resource management elements. The player moves the titular character through levels on a hex-based grid, using moves and actions to defeat enemies while avoiding being hit. The actions of John Wick and visible enemies appear on a timeline similar to video editing software, with actions taking different amounts of time. The player loads commands into this timeline, and the game pauses if no further actions are added. Actions include gaining better firing position, improving stance for better hit chances, or taking defensive actions and improved cover. Limited ammo is a factor: John Wick carries 15 bullets in his handgun, and reloading causes the player to lose any bullets left in the magazine. John Wick can grab weapons from enemies, but this takes time. Each time the player chooses to shoot, John Wick fires two rounds, reflecting his double-tap technique from the films. The level begins covered by a fog of war that unveils as John Wick moves. The game combines tactics like X-COM with fast-paced decision-making similar to Superhot. After completing a level, a replay of the movements can be played back without user input, mimicking the fluidity of the film action scenes.
Plot
When the High Table faces a rebellion from the international crime lord Hex, he kidnaps Winston and Charon from the New York Continental and hides them. A bounty is placed for their safe return, and John Wick is sent to enforce loyalty. In his prime, Wick tears through Hex’s lieutenants and soldiers across New York and Switzerland, ultimately crushing Hex’s operation and restoring the High Table’s authority.
Development
The idea for John Wick Hex came from a conversation between game designer Mike Bithell and his friend Ben Andac, who works at Good Shepherd Entertainment. After watching an action movie, they talked about how to translate the fight scenes from the John Wick films into a video game. Bithell proposed a turn-based tactical game, which he called "John Wick chess," where players must adapt their decisions as the situation shifts. Later, Andac took part in talks between Lionsgate Entertainment and Good Shepherd. The film company was looking for fresh concepts for video games to build on the John Wick series, wanting something more than a simple cash grab—something that broke expectations, much like the first film did for action movies. Andac remembered Bithell’s idea and his distinctive approach to game development, and brought it up. This led to discussions among Bithell, Lionsgate, and Good Shepherd, and Bithell got the go-ahead to start work in mid-2018. Bithell said he felt a responsibility with the licensed property, believing that if you make a licensed game and aren’t trying to advance the medium, you’re wasting your time. He studied the first two films and was given the script for John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum before it was made. He spoke with director Chad Stahelski about the films’ direction during post-production editing and worked with stunt performers to create the game’s animations. Bithell credited Stahelski with the fog of war idea, which adds tension by keeping parts of each level unknown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who published John Wick Hex?
John Wick Hex was published by Good Shepherd Entertainment (2019–2024) and Big Fan Games (2024–).
What platforms is John Wick Hex available on?
John Wick Hex was released for macOS, Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One.
Who composed the music for John Wick Hex?
The music for John Wick Hex was composed by Austin Wintory.
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