Item42, the studio behind the cooperative shooter Perish, is developing an indie immersive simulator titled Deficit. The game tasks players with infiltrating Hadrian's Wall, a sprawling fortress, to steal a device known as the Interpolator. This premise echoes elements of games like Deus Ex, with a blend of sneaking and shooting.
However, Deficit draws a more direct comparison to The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, particularly in its melee combat. The player character's brawling, featuring wild swings and makeshift knives, is reminiscent of Riddick's fighting style. The developer has focused on making these interactions feel impactful; striking an enemy with a melee weapon like a hammer reportedly creates a palpable sense of impact, and foes react realistically, staggering before falling.
Beyond melee, Deficit offers a variety of gameplay options. Players can distract or damage guards by throwing objects, utilize batteries to control environmental elements like doors and sentries, deploy traps such as mines and laser tripwires, and engage enemies with 3D-printed firearms. The game world is designed to be reactive; explosions can physically push the player, and thrown objects can ricochet, potentially causing self-inflicted damage. This level of environmental interaction contributes to the game's immersive simulation qualities.
Despite these strengths, Deficit faces challenges with its stealth system. Players have reported being detected by enemies without a clear understanding of the cause, with enemies seemingly able to spot the player regardless of elevation or even through obstacles. This lack of clarity significantly impacts the stealth gameplay, suggesting it requires substantial refinement.
Nonetheless, the game's combat and reactive environments make it enjoyable even when stealth fails. Aggressive playstyles are presented as a viable and satisfying alternative. Deficit does not currently have a release date, but a demo is available, with the full release anticipated sometime next year.