Roam the dystopian future city of New Babel, Mankind's Last Hope, in search of crimes in progress. Use lethal weapons, non-lethal force, and diplomacy to take down bad guys.
Players take on the role of an elite Constable tasked with maintaining order in the gritty, neon-drenched cityscape of New Babel. The cyberpunk-inspired pixel art style and oppressive, totalitarian atmosphere effectively transport players into this bleak, futuristic world.
The core gameplay revolves around responding to crimes in progress and neutralizing criminal threats. Players have a multitude of options at their disposal - they can utilize lethal firearms, employ non-lethal tactics like bean bag rounds, or intimidate suspects into surrendering through diplomacy. This varied approach encourages thoughtful, tactical decision-making rather than mindless gunplay.
The game actively incentivizes players to subdue criminals non-lethally, as apprehending suspects alive grants significantly higher Requisition Point rewards than outright killing them. This risk-reward dynamic creates an engaging gameplay loop, as players must carefully weigh the potential benefits of a non-lethal takedown against the increased difficulty and time required.
As players earn Requisition Points from successful arrests, they can use these to purchase gear and upgrades for their powered exo-suit. This progression system allows for a degree of character customization, enabling players to tailor their Constable's abilities to suit their preferred playstyle, be it enhanced combat, improved mobility, or more effective diplomacy.
The game presents a ticking clock scenario, challenging players to find and disarm a hidden nuclear bomb before it detonates. Featuring permadeath, the campaign heightens the stakes, as a single fatal mistake results in the player's Constable being killed, forcing them to restart the entire experience. This encourages a cautious, tactical approach to encounters.
The game's levels are designed with a focus on environmental interactivity, allowing players to destroy cover and create new lines of sight. This reactive nature of the surroundings adds an extra layer of strategic depth to the combat encounters, as players must adapt their approach based on the changing battlefield conditions.
Despite the pixel art aesthetic, the game's movement and combat mechanics feel weighty and impactful. The ability to dash, jump, and leverage the environment, combined with the punchy sound effects and visual cues, provide a satisfying sense of physicality to the player's actions.