Invisible Inc spiritual successor Cyber Knights: Flashpoint has released from early access
I currently do not have time to play Cyber Knights: Flashpoint, the game Katherine (RPS in peace) called a “spiritual successor” to (unbelievably good stealth tactics game) Invisible Inc. So, I’m writing about its release from early access as a sort of vicarious joy substitute. Because, boy, does it tick several big honking megaboxes for me. The idea is that you’ll be pulling off cyberpunky heists with a squad of mercs, planning and executing while keeping the future fuzz off your backs. There’s also lots of dense RPG multiclassing stuff I’ll talk about in a second. Here’s a launch trailer.
Watch on YouTube
“A modern tactical RPG with some of our favorite elements: gridless movement, environmental cover, specialized overwatch, initiative manipulation and more,” begins the Steam description. More of this, please. Don’t tell me how immersed I’ll be in your visceral yet cerebral yet emotional journey that represents a bold evolution of (genre). Tell me about the specific (genre) design you’re personally into and are very excited about having shoved into your game. There’s more. Customisable weapons. Faction reputation. 40 multiclass combinations. A variety of admirable hairdos. There’s even some Deus Ex Human Revolution style hacking minigames.
I am chuffed this exists, evidently, although I am just trailer-gawking. For a more sober and detailed take, do read Sin’s rally point on the game:
The design goal is, I think, to represent stealth as vital, but not the entirety of your tactics. If you’re feeling spicy you can hit a job loud, counting on speed and firepower over waiting for the sentry to chase the shiny penny. Almost all gunfights should feature rolling, repositioning, moving towards a target or shooting your way out before reinforcements catch up. Rather than a stealth/combat binary there’s room for degrees of both, sometimes simultaneously.
Bah! I am already managing one party of mercs regularly, but it now seems like I’ll need to make room in my life for another.
