If you're into Cyberpunk 2077's flashier gunfights, like Doom meets Blade Runner, or if you're looking to turn your nose up at the neon trenches of Ruiner, you'll probably appreciate the announcement trailer for Defect. It's a new “cyberpunk, team-based, immersive target shooter” from emptyvessel, the former id Software, Call Of Duty, and Naughty Dog team.
“They called it the city man’s last resort,” a trailer narrator grumbles as if he’s just drunk a cupful of diodes, “because everything out there is gonna kill us like crabs in a vat.” Hands up if you’ve ever killed crabs in a vat. Did you do it with a gun with flaring antennas and a holographic barrier? The crab content of Defect isn’t yet clear, but there’s definitely a gun with flaring antennas and a holographic barrier. Here’s the trailer.
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The city mentioned in the video is run by a dystopian AI known directly as the SYSTEM. The SYSTEM operates a police force of booted thugs (is there any other police force, har har), which is one of Defect's factions. They are faced with various criminal gangs who want to conquer the city from below and, I dunno, release all the crabs from their barrels, which unleashes the stuck ankle epidemic. Everyone on both sides looks like they're auditioning for roles in Judge Dredd and Mortal Kombat at the same time. Akiko Laserteeth, you don't really need all those facial enhancements. They just make you look stupid.
The trailer doesn’t reveal much about what you do in the game beyond just shooting people really hard, but the announcement text suggests a balance of co-op and PvP against bots, with four teams of four per round (there’s no single-player functionality, sadly). You’ll “race to achieve objectives like smuggling weapons, assassinating targets, or apprehending suspects.” In between missions, you’ll “PREPARE FOR ANARCHY” by gearing up in your squad car or gang hangout. Did you know that “anarchy” isn’t actually synonymous with violence? It’s generally defined as opposing the concept of rulers. Many anarchists are pretty laid-back! I have friends who are anarchists! They almost never kill crabs!
There's no release date yet. Despite my desire to knock on the Emptyvessel's window and tell them to stop yelling about CHAOS, I do like the gunplay and locations in the trailer quite a bit. I'd never say no to a hand cannon with LEDs on it, especially when there's a megacity involved, that's my motto. Mick Gordon does the music, and he's definitely lent his name to some good old blast 'em ups.
I also wonder if the “immersive shooter” branding means it features a wider variety of approaches and ability/terrain combinations than you'll find in most rivals, but I wouldn't be surprised if that's just positioning. Anyway, you can GET READY FOR ANARCHY by wishlisting it on Steam.