Beyond Citadel is a unique indie FPS that offers a raw, intense, and often unsettling experience. Despite its challenging content, it's a must-play for those seeking something truly different.
Beyond Citadel is a standout indie FPS that I experienced from start to finish in just a couple of days. While I wholeheartedly recommend this game to everyone, I must also preface any discussion about it with a significant content warning: Beyond Citadel is a game created by and for individuals with a certain proclivity. This game caters to those who relish the technical nuances of firearms, like manually cocking a sniper rifle and bypassing magazines to load rounds individually.
It also caters to those who are intensely curious about the devastating effects of .50 caliber rounds on the nearly nude bodies of anime girls. Beyond Citadel is FPS outsider art. Developed by the solo Japanese developer Doekuramori, it serves as the sequel to 2020's The Citadel and feels like a fresh perspective on a familiar genre. While it demonstrates a similar understanding of the genre's fundamentals (the developer cites Bungie's classic Marathon series as a key influence), it possesses clear mechanical obsessions and roots in extreme, transgressive anime aesthetics. Although there are toggles to reduce both the violence and the technical gun-handling elements, please be aware that these aspects are integral to the intended experience. However, for those seeking something raw, intense, and undeniably unsettling, there's simply nothing else like it. The adrenaline rush of decimating hordes of enemies while juggling blood oxygen levels and wondering if the magazine you just dropped mid-fight broke, then wading through a field of shattered bones and ruptured intestines, is a truly unique sensation. You might just need a touch of a 'sicko' to fully appreciate it. Beyond Citadel's setting is equally captivating. Humanity teeters on the brink of extinction, decimated by an invading force of 'demons' who punish sinners by turning them into pillars of salt. Further devastation is wrought as mankind's cyborg soldiers are mind-controlled. This bleak backdrop is rendered even more dreamlike through its almost Wolfenstein-esque blocky architecture, a stark palette of greys and blues accented with red, and the fact that most of its maps are semi-abstract structures floating in an endless void. The game's ambiance is further elevated by a moody and carefully curated soundtrack, along with a drip-feed of lore and dialogue that often carries uncomfortable implications.Mechanically, the game is a powerhouse as well. By default, weapons feature pseudo-realistic handling rules, requiring separate buttons to cock your weapons and eject magazines to store them in your (mercifully auto-restocking) backpack before reloading. Weapons boast unique ballistic properties, armor penetration, and bullet drop, and the maps and enemies are diverse enough to force you to utilize your entire (extensive) arsenal. Early levels might feel like claustrophobic Wolfenstein-style tunnel crawls, but later stages blossom into open battlefields with expansive sightlines. Enemy fire can originate from any direction, and in many forms, thanks to a good variety of human soldiers, robot units, and an assortment of demonic monsters that keep the target roster fresh. In some levels, you get to unleash havoc with mechs, tanks, and even a VTOL gunship. The capacity for violence is virtually limitless. As you progress through the campaign (a lengthy eight episodes, each with around six levels and a boss), you gradually unlock more abilities, like air-dashing and ledge-mantling, which significantly enhance mobility. You also gain access to alternate weapons for each slot, transforming navigating these vast spaces from a chore to a joy. While the game does strain a bit in the final stretches as it pushes the limits of its systems (the last episode introduces a whole new set of platforming-centric movement mechanics, and some late-game enemies are incredibly tanky), Beyond Citadel has sights to show you. If you can stomach its depths
FPS Indie Game Violence Anime Mechanical Gameplay Unique Setting Open World
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Marvel Rivals Announces Fixes for Heroes Nerfed by FPS IssuesMarvel Rivals is gearing up for a successful 2025 with new content, fixes for performance issues, and potential leaks of upcoming game modes and characters.
Read more »
Marvel Rivals Bug Gives FPS AdvantageA bug in Marvel Rivals is giving players with higher FPS rates an advantage in damage output and movement speed. This can significantly impact gameplay, making it harder for players with lower FPS to compete.
Read more »
Battlefield 6 — 3 things my favorite Xbox FPS franchise has to improveWith the next Battlefield potentially launching on Xbox this year, I think Battlefield 6 must make 3 changes to get the FPS franchise back on track.
Read more »
Forest Reigns: Plant-Based FPS Takes Over Post-Apocalyptic ParisForest Reigns, a new emergent FPS from VG Entertainment, drops players into a post-apocalyptic Paris overrun by sentient plant life. Utilize your high-tech weaponry and the environment to your advantage, turning the overgrown city into your battlefield.
Read more »
Doom: The Dark Ages Bringing Back Classic FPS Feel in 2025id Software announced during Xbox Developer Direct that Doom: The Dark Ages is coming out on May 15, 2025. The new game will feature a grounded combat system focused on power and dodging, reminiscent of classic Doom games. It will also offer a new adjustable difficulty system, allowing players to customize their experience. The game will introduce new characters, allies, and enemies, and players can look forward to riding a dragon and piloting a giant mech.
Read more »
Doom: The Dark Ages drops multiplayer for the 'largest' campaign in the FPS franchiseWe had a chance to check out Doom: The Dark Ages in a hands-off preview and Q&A with id Software. Here's what you need to know about this medieval FPS prequel!
Read more »