Red Awakening Enlivens First-Person Shooter Mechanics

Designers at Domino Effect are cooking up a really criminal blend with FPS game Red Awakening. Inspired by vivid slasher movies from the 80s and gameplay from titles like Manhunt and Counter-Strike, the developers’ aim to create a shooter that stands out from the crowd is panning out.

Red Awakening focuses on online multiplayer with objective, team-based gameplay. The primary mode here is “search and destroy,” where both sides are simultaneously equipped with bombs and attempting to destroy bases. Character choice is important here, as there are two classes: Stealth, who can cloak to conceal themselves, and vision, who use thermal goggles. There will be ten in total, each with a unique name, voice, and backstory. They’re divided equally into Team West and Team East.

What really makes Red Awakening stand out are the mechanics implemented. One of the more notable distinctions is how the developers handle the UI. Health and number of painkillers will be displayed on the character’s glove to keep up the immersion. Ammunition isn’t shown. Instead, a player is able to open up the gun’s barrel and view how many bullets are remaining. The characters have a lot of movement options, and the video above demonstrated easy vaulting, sliding, and wall running.

Stealth plays a major role, and it’s melee attacks that find more use than shooting. Various weapons have specific close-range attacks tied to them, so the revolver that shoots shotgun bullets has a blade attachment. Sneaking around involves avoiding the enemies’ cone of vision, and getting detected transforms the visuals, bathing the screen in purple and then crimson.

Originally, Red Awakening started out as an Xbox 360 project, but the team decided to push to next-generation consoles. Depending on how further development goes, Domino Effect will aim to release for Xbox One and PlayStation 4.  The team is hoping to reach an alpha stage of the game by September, and get on Steam Early Access in October of this year.

You can follow their developments on their YouTube channel and Facebook page, and also stay tuned to IGM for more exciting updates and coverage on this project.