Games that combine turn-based combat with strategic gameplay are quite rare, and if you add in the requirement to control only one character along with Roguelike elements, would that combination attract you? The newly released indie title "Shift’n Slay" perfectly fits this description. Although it has received few reviews so far, an impressive 90% of the feedback has been positive. The development team has swiftly addressed the issues raised by players, resulting in a quality experience that's definitely worth trying.
《Shift’n Slay》 is developed by the independent studio DREBOT and immerses players in a Cyberpunk style world. Players must defeat enemies one by one and complete levels with limited ammunition and stamina. The game features a unique combat mechanism where battles feel like puzzles; players need to strategize using nearby cover and items while avoiding enemy attacks and calculating actions for each turn.
Unlike typical strategy games with multiple character controls, players only need to focus on the main character's actions. In each randomly summoned level, even if you die, you'll only return to the starting point. Coupled with a permanent upgrade system, this adds a thrilling edge to the gameplay. The essence of the game lies in observing the enemies' positions, predicting battle outcomes, and strategizing the best actions for the next move.
For example, if two enemies are positioned closely together and aligned in a straight line, you can shoot the first enemy, and the bullet will penetrate to hit the second one. Alternatively, if the enemies are arranged in an "L" shape, you can place a landmine in between them, push one enemy to trigger the mine, achieving a double kill. The allure of this gameplay lies in how you can precisely eliminate enemies while conserving ammo, aiming to clear the battlefield in a single round.
Players need to climb their way up through the layers of the building, encountering various enhancement devices along the corridors. Each time, three random enhancement options will be presented. The direction of character enhancements offers diverse choices, such as specializing in firearms to boost ranged combat capabilities, honing melee skills to become a brawling expert, or using traps and chemicals to confuse enemies.
"Shift’n Slay" has been released on the PC Steam platform. Earlier, some players reported a bug where they couldn't shoot while passing through chairs or tables. The development team quickly implemented a patch on the first day to fix this issue.
