Today, we will look at a stealth game, Evotinction, developed by Spikewave Games. If we look at the store listing on Steam, for example, it tells us the game is a third-party-based hack and stealth game. We assume the role of Dr. Thomas Liu, who operates out of a research facility known as HERE. He is also a world-renowned expert in mechanical engineering and AI. However, it quickly becomes apparent early on that you are the one who can stop a rogue AI. The description also tells us you will need to use various “hacking skills to overcome robotic threats and uncover the secrets that hold the key to humanity’s survival or its potential extinction.”.
Let’s start with what the Steam storefront tells us about Evotinction.
Story – Near Future Dystopian Sci-Fi
Near future
A virus of unknown origin breached the network of an isolated, self-sustained research facility and community named HERE. Inevitably, the core unit of the highly-advanced AI system that runs the facility got infected. As a result, those harmless service robots went out of control and started to attack humans. Dr. Liu, Head of R&D at HERE and one of the architects of the system, decided to go back into this lost facility to search for possible survivors while attempting to identify and fix the underlying issue.
Genre – Future Tactical Infiltrate Simulation
- A one-man infiltration into an AI-controlled rampart.
- Utilize the kaleidoscopic hacking skills the doctor masters to cope with adversaries.
- Disable the security system remotely, rewrite IFF IDs, or manipulate rogue AI’s behaviour…
- Do what you can to avoid any unnecessary encounters.
- Make your way in stealthily and neutralize all threats one by one.
- Go deep into the heart of the facility to face the core crisis!
Enemy – Core Crisis. Machine Awakening
“Genie” – those everyday service robots will be your most common opponents. Each of those service robots has its routine patrol, and the AI system behind their behaviours also coordinates the efforts of those robots to maximize their efficiency. In addition, the doctor will encounter certain killer robots specially-engineered to neutralize any threats to the core system as he gets deeper into the facility. Could the infected AI be to blame for everything? Or perhaps there are additional unidentified reasons lurking somewhere? All will be eventually revealed along with the doctor’s investigation…
Combat – Tech Augmented Hack And Stealth
Not your traditional protagonist, Dr. Liu, an ordinary researcher who had absolutely zero combat training, will have to infiltrate the facility on his own. Not a specialist in melee combat, nor a slick gunslinger, the doctor is just an average joe when it comes to “combat”. However, as a tech-savvy researcher, he is able to hack, disrupt, and manipulate all these rogue AIs to guide himself through this dangerous automated facility. Long-Range Signal Disrupting, Radio & Electromagnetic Jamming, Hologram Illusion, Malware Implant, System Takeover, IFF Spoofing… Make use of the doctor’s full arsenal of gadgets to hack a way inside and out!
Evotinction – The Game In Reality
So upon launching Evotinction, we can see that the game looks good early on. The game uses Unreal Engine 4 and features an impressive character model for Dr. Liu, as well as impressive textures in the facility. The world’s design and remarkable lighting create an immersive Sci-Fi experience. The gameplay works really well. The gameplay functions flawlessly, granting you a degree of autonomy in your approach without combat skills, you must pay close attention and thoroughly study each new location. Therefore, having a thorough understanding of camera traps and decoys to exploit as you advance is crucial for your progress. I quickly discovered that stealth, cover, and a slow pace are your best friends, as discovery can potentially be fatal.
The story seems to flow at a decent pace, and in the early stages, it seems well crafted. However, after five or six hours of gameplay, it’s still a work in progress. As I mentioned earlier, the initial indications are encouraging, suggesting the development of a profound and captivating narrative. As you play, the game design adds to the story, and you never know what will happen next. Overall, it’s a very solid entry and solid debut. The team does have some experience from working on 2K, and although it’s a debut as a collective, it looks to be a promising start for the studio.
A Summary
We’ve touched upon the story, the gameplay, and how Evotinction looks and plays. It’s a really interesting stealth game, and it’s evident a lot of love went into this release. So, if you want a game in which you have to think and plan your strategy to progress, this could be one to consider. It isn’t likely to take over games like the upcoming Metal Gear Solid 3 remake, but it’s one I still look forward to seeing where the journey ends up. It’s now available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. We captured all the footage from the quality mode on the PlayStation 5.
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