Ilum

Ilum is an open-world game set in Babylon and the surrounding region in 539 BC, when the Babylonian Empire fell to the Persians and Jewish captives were released from 70 years of servitude. You explore, take part in action and destroy parts of the cities as Babylon faces the destruction foretold in prophecy. The game draws on a Biblical and Babylonian mythological background and features voice acting in Akkadian.

Cities and buildings

The world covers a 224 km² map and includes Babylon, Borsippa, Sippar, Kutha and Kish, among other cities. Its buildings are based on archaeological findings and cuneiform inscriptions, including those concerning the Tower of Babel, the Hanging Gardens and Nebuchadnezzar’s palaces. Houses, palaces, temples and ziggurats can be entered and contain characters and furniture; the game includes thousands of buildings. Objects are independent and destructible, from cups inside houses to temples, and destroying them releases points.

Quests and characters

The game has 100 linear quests that unlock progress. You reach checkpoints and complete each quest to continue. Thousands of characters from 20 social classes walk the streets and live inside buildings. You can control a character after converting them by destroying their patron idol god; there are 20 idol god bosses to battle.

Cuneiform and weather

You collect syllables and learn their corresponding phonetic values to write in cuneiform. You can also switch between five weather modes at any time: Normal, Water, Air, Earth and Fire. Each mode changes the visuals, adds special effects and affects how objects look and feel.

Music

The soundtrack includes Hurrian Hymn No. 6, described as the oldest playable musical score in history.