The story of Cinder City unfolds in a post-apocalyptic, alternate-history version of Seoul. The setting is defined by a striking premise: 23rd-century technology intersects with the 21st century, layering advanced machinery and futuristic systems over a recognizable modern city. Against this backdrop, players take on the role of a futuristic knight whose personal quest drives the narrative. This page covers the world, its premise, and the central story hook.
An Alternate-History Seoul
Rather than inventing a wholly fictional location, the game reimagines Seoul itself. The city has been reshaped by apocalypse and by the arrival of technology far ahead of its time, producing a world where the familiar and the futuristic exist side by side. The alternate-history framing means real places anchor the experience, grounding the science-fiction elements in a city players may recognize. The physical layout of this world, including specific districts, is detailed on the Seoul Open World page.
23rd-Century Technology Meets the 21st
The defining concept of the setting is the collision of two eras. Technology from the 23rd century has spread through a 21st-century world, and that intersection shapes both the look of the city and the kinds of threats players face. The result is a world where advanced machines, including the giant mechs encountered in combat, feel at home among modern streets and structures. This blend gives Cinder City a distinct identity within the broader science-fiction genre.
The Futuristic Knight
Players step into the role of a futuristic knight. This protagonist is the lens through which the story is told, moving through the ruined and reimagined city as both a combatant and a searcher. The knight framing pairs naturally with the game's emphasis on grounded combat and high-stakes encounters, casting the player as a capable figure navigating a dangerous world.
The Search for a Missing Daughter
At the heart of the narrative is a deeply personal hook: the protagonist is searching for a missing daughter. This quest gives the journey emotional weight and a clear driving purpose that runs beneath the larger conflicts of the world. The search frames the player's path through the city and ties the action to a human stake rather than only a backdrop of spectacle.
Brutal Choices
The story is framed around brutal choices. As players pursue their goal, they face difficult decisions that fit the harsh, post-apocalyptic tone of the setting. This emphasis on hard choices suggests a narrative that does not shy away from consequence, asking players to weigh their options in a world where easy answers are scarce. The exact ways these choices play out are part of the story that will become clearer closer to launch.
Tone and Themes
Taken together, the post-apocalyptic alternate history, the clash of centuries, the knight protagonist, and the search for a lost child establish a tone that is both grand and intimate. The world is vast and dangerous, yet the story stays focused on a personal mission. For how this setting connects to moment-to-moment play, see Gameplay Overview, and for a general introduction to the game see Cinder City.