The Persistence is set onboard a research vessel sent to study a collapsing star, but when an experiment triggers a catastrophic failure, the ship’s computer attempts to save the day by reconstructing the deceased crewmembers. Unfortunately, it also introduces hideous errors in the process, transforming them into gibbering mutants.

Playing as a crewmember awoken from cryosleep, you’ll navigate the doomed ship, try to get the engines back online, and escape the ravenous clutches of the nearby black hole.

The ship itself is procedurally generated, so each time you die, you’ll awaken as a new character facing a new ship layout, different threats, and new opportunities. And die you will — death is an integral part of the gameplay loop.

As you play, you’ll collect stem cells you’ll use to enhance your character after death. Benefits like increased speed, health, and stealth that will help you stay alive long enough to complete the game.

As for weapons, your trusty sidearm is the Stem Cell Harvester, which syphons precious cells from enemies, with fatal results. The Gravity Bomb drops a miniature black hole to devour nearby mutants, while a Rage Serum injector grants you temporary super-strength for hand-to-hand pummeling. There are more conventional firearms, too, including a pistol that fires dark-energy-infused rounds.

There will also be a tablet/smartphone companion app where nearby players can log in to the ship’s computer to view the level layout and identify upcoming threats or items, and either decide to help or hinder you.