Slave Zero X Promises Cyber Warrior Action Horror in 2024
Insane Combos Drenched in Gore and Despair
There’s something thematically incredible about a brooding character steeped in tragedy defiantly striking against a brutal world with the only communication form that makes sense for them, gratuitous violence. Slave Zero X, an upcoming 2.5D action title from Poppy Works alongside the talented team behind Devil Engine and publishing from Ziggurat Interactive, is slated for release in Q1 2024 and entices players with its red-stained biopunk brand of hack-and-slash action.
Surprisingly, Slave Zero X is a prequel to a 1999 third-person shooter called Slave Zero, brought to modern systems through the efforts of Tommo brand Retroism, Accolade, Inc, Ziggurat, and Night Dive Studios. Of course, most fans of retro gaming already are aware of Night Dive but if not they’re a group that often rereleases and remasters iconic games with incredible reverence for the source material, sparking waves of fan encouragement through releases like the recent System Shock remake, Quake, Quake II, Turok, Turok 2: Seeds of Evil, the upcoming Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion Remastered plus several others. Interesting connection aside, Slave Zero X utilizes the world-building that made Slave Zero stand out to create something wholly new and exciting.
The game’s plot involves a member of The Guardians, Shou, merging with a Slave Unit Prototype to take down the Sovereign Kahn, a being that stands over Megacity S1-9, in a story where the hero must become a demon to strike down gods far more terrifying. Exploring the game’s trailers and looking at images is like staying up far too late and catching overly graphic shows on the Sci-Fi channel. As the game unfurls from its rusted iron shackles, Slave Zero X steadily reveals a world not unlike the metal-burdened body horror of works like Guyver, Gantz, or Karas with the heavy metal energy and character design of something like Guilty Gear. The marketing and store pages specifically mention Devil May Cry, Strider, and Guilty Gear so anyone who has a connection to any of those creative strings will probably be in for a good time.
A new trailer debuted as a part of the Fear Fest 2023 Black Summer digital showcase, highlighting more of the game’s striking visuals and mechanics. Provided Slave Zero X sticks the landing, there is a ton of promise for this type of 2.5D spectacle action game. According to an accompanying press release, Slave Zero X will feature story, training, and post-story Bloody Palace modes with levels having various mini-bosses, dynamic set pieces, and a lot of blood-soaked swordplay.
Slave Zero X is coming to Steam, GOG, Xbox, PS4, PS5, and Switch. A demo is available now on Xbox and Steam. Screenshots courtesy of official press materials.
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