EMPTY SHELL will throw you in a dark industrial environment, a secret facility on a Japanese island. Each volunteer has signed a contract for a "recovery operation" without being privy to too many details. A tense roguelite survival horror with a top down perspective.
The top-down perspective throws players into a dark, industrial environment on a remote Japanese island, where the objective is to navigate through the facility, scavenging for weapons, ammo, and gear while fending off various horrific enemies. Dying results in the player taking control of a new "volunteer" sent to the facility, with randomized starting equipment, creating a challenging, high-stakes experience where each run requires careful resource management and quick reflexes to survive.
Players have access to a variety of weapons, including firearms and melee options like crowbars and hammers. The melee combat system boasts good range and stun capabilities, allowing players to conserve ammo by engaging in close-quarters combat when necessary. The firearms also feel responsive, with the ability to quickly switch between guns and melee weapons mid-fight, providing a satisfying combat experience.
When a player dies and takes control of a new volunteer, their starting equipment is randomized, forcing them to adapt to the given loadout. This creates a sense of unpredictability and encourages players to become proficient with a wide range of weapons. As players progress through the facility, they can purchase permanent upgrades and devices to help them on future runs, providing a sense of progression despite the repeated deaths.
Managing the limited inventory space is a crucial part of the gameplay. Players must carefully balance carrying essential items like medkits and ammo against picking up new weapons and gear, encouraging them to prioritize their most valuable resources and make difficult decisions about what to keep or discard. The inventory system adds an extra layer of strategy to the gameplay, as players must constantly assess the tradeoffs of their equipment.
The dark, oppressive atmosphere, created by the monochromatic, pixelated visuals and haunting audio, contributes to the overall sense of dread. Players must also contend with environmental hazards, such as rooms filled with deadly gas or obstacles that can hinder their movement and line of sight, further challenging them to navigate the facility with caution.
Each level is randomly generated, ensuring a unique layout and enemy placement with every run. This unpredictability, combined with the permadeath mechanic, encourages players to explore the facility thoroughly and adapt their strategies on the fly. The randomization, along with the ability to unlock new upgrades and devices, provides a high degree of replayability, as players strive to progress further and uncover more of the game's dark secrets.