Nesting Games has unveiled a gripping new narrative trailer for Directorate Novitiate, their upcoming urban fantasy action RPG set to launch in Early Access this summer. The trailer pulls back the curtain on a dark, magical underworld hidden beneath the sun-bleached streets of 2006 Los Angeles, where trust is a liability and love can be lethal.

A Heroine Torn Between Two Worlds

At the heart of the story is Kana Luna, codenamed Mercury. She’s a young woman balancing an ordinary life with her role as an enforcer for the Directorate—a shadowy magical syndicate waging a secret war. By day, she navigates school, friendships, and family dramas. By night, she’s an assassin embroiled in supernatural power struggles. The trailer teases her fractured relationships, hinting at betrayals, grief, and the looming threat of the Constellation Killer—a serial murderer targeting both magical and mundane worlds.

Visually, the game blends noir-inspired aesthetics with early 2000s nostalgia. In the moody, stylized version of Los Angeles neon-lit alleyways hide arcane horrors. Mercury’s duality is reflected in every frame—whether she’s sharing a quiet moment with a friend or unleashing spellfire in a backstreet brawl.

Gameplay: Magic, Guns, and Hard Choices

Directorate Novitiate merges cinematic storytelling with fast-paced third-person combat, offering players a blend of:

• Supernatural Gunplay: Combine firearms with magic spells, using Gun Katas—acrobatic, John Wick-style maneuvers—to chain attacks and devastate foes.
• Branching Narrative: Every dialogue choice and alliance shapes Mercury’s path. Will she uphold the brutal Edicts of the Directorate, or cling to her humanity?
• Dual-Life Mechanics: Juggle Mercury’s daytime relationships with her nighttime missions. Neglect one, and the consequences ripple across both worlds.
• RPG Progression: Unlock perks, upgrades, and spells to customize Mercury’s combat style, from stealthy takedowns to explosive arcane assaults.

A Mystery Worth Killing For

The trailer teases at the game’s central mystery. The Constellation Killer’s crimes blur the line between magical and mundane violence, devastating the city. As Mercury digs deeper, she’ll confront Syndicate politics, old flames turned enemies, and the cost of wielding power in a world where love and loyalty are weapons.

About Nesting Games

Founded by industry veterans Frederick and Sebastien Brassard, Nesting Games aims to deliver AAA-quality narrative depth with indie agility. Directorate Novitiate represents their ambition to fuse cinematic storytelling with reactive gameplay. Every choice—romantic, moral, or violent—carves a unique path through their story. Coming to Early Access this summer, Directorate Novitiate promises a gritty, emotionally charged RPG where magic and morality collide. Will Mercury survive the Directorate’s wars without losing herself? Or will the darkness claim her? The outcome is all on you.

Wishlist Directorate Novitiate on Steam and follow it on social media for the latest news.