Paradark Studio, an indie game studio based in Krakow, Poland, recently showcased footage of the title game ExeKiller. At first glance, I was immediately charmed by the overall atmosphere and world design – which seems to be the main focus so far. I got a pit in my stomach on second viewing because this is either the best game since Red Dead 2 or Cyberpunk 2077 (Phantom Liberty era) or is it different The day before or MindsEye situation.
To be honest, it's more instinct than anything that tells me this. EA is new Skate the game likes to tell you to use your Skater Eyes, and while it's a bit jarring, I think there's some truth to that insight. “Gamer Eyes” will always appear when something is generative AI, when something in a trailer or game presentation isn't authentic, or when something is too good to be true, or too nonsensical, as was the case with “games” like The day before and MindsEye. There can be a lot of hope surrounding these titles, perhaps speaking of the good nature of a kind people, but just as much suspicion. I don't know, let's look into it – and you tell me if my suspicions seem unfounded or not.
My first thought upon seeing ExeKiller is that it looks damn good, like “how come this game wasn't on my radar” good, like “you might as well put “Joshua Duckworth” on this game because it looks like something tailor-made for me?” But after that thought was, wait, how is that possible? ExeKiller is Paradark Studio's first game, which means it's relatively unproven. That's not necessarily a red flag, but it's a beige flag, even though I've heard Unreal Engine 5 boasting to the kingdom (aside from optimization).
What is ExeKiller: A game that vibrates with Red Dead, Cyberpunk and Fallout
ExeKiller is set in New York City in 1988, except it has been destroyed by the “Great Fire Disaster” that set most of the world on fire 20 years earlier. This caused a mass extinction of life on Earth. It's a little corny and hard to imagine, and the setting doesn't necessarily feel like a game set in New York. It's more like a play on New York iconography. It looks more like what I would imagine the wider wasteland of New York would look like Fallout game. Only 30% of humanity apparently survived the Great Fire disaster, leaving only a few areas safe for life on Earth. After a major fire disaster, governments fail and corporations take over. There you have it: Cyberpunk 2077.
Taking place in the wasteland with Fallout vibrations, facing technology such as SOUL biochips and corporations Cyberpunk 2077's dystopia, is also clearly inspired by the West. Indeed, it's almost as if the Great War took place in Night City and Red Dead Redemption 2 takes place in the resulting wasteland. That's what your elevator is for Executioner.
Protagonist and ExeKiller features You simply do not exist without a SOUL.
You become the main character Executionernamed Denzel Fenix, a futuristic bounty hunter. Your main goal is to hunt for bounties and collect SOUL biochip components that store information from their owners and can also control them. Of course, these biochips are manufactured by one of the most powerful corporations remaining on “New Earth”, which remains unnamed. It could be the same company the player works for, Helion, which exists in a building that towers over the ruins of New York. Apparently, Fenix discovers something during the game that puts him in the crosshairs of several powerful factions, so he's clearly both hunter and hunted.
As for game features:
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PLAYER-DRIVEN STORY – Choices affect not only how the story unfolds, but also every situation you face, offering massive replayability. I'm not Gen Z, but I can tell it delivers MindsEye?
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CHOICE IS THE PRINCIPLE – Players are never limited to one path or solution for each encounter. This emphasis on choice promises that each playthrough will be unique, changing the outcome of NPCs, dialogue options, and possible endings.
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LARGE OPEN WORLD – The world is described as both beautiful and deadly, complete with diverse areas from deserts and canyons to deadly highways to radioactive fields. I'm not Gen Z, but I can tell it delivers Fallout? Also, it's worth noting that the official website calls it a massive open world, but the Steam site calls it a semi-open world environment. At the time of writing, it is unclear what is accurate.
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HUNT OUTLAWS – Players can choose to kill them, bring them to justice, or set them free. At the same time, players can use stealth options, different types of weapons and gadgets, different game abilities, stealth situations or talking out of problematic situations.
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AN EVER-CHANGING ENVIRONMENT: ExeKillerThe landscape changes between a day/night cycle, dynamic weather and radioactive solar storms.
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UNIQUE SETTINGS AND VISUALS: Executioner he describes his art style as “combining retro-futuristic technological advancements with post-apocalyptic scenery – all served up with a western movie vibe.” That's the place Cyberpunk, Fallout, and Red Dead then comes the hodgepodge. It promises that its visuals are designed to transport players back to the 1970s…even if it takes place in the ruined year of 1998.
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UNIQUE CHARACTER PROGRESSION – Executioner it's described as an action-adventure, not an RPG, probably because there's no XP or leveling involved. Instead, the player's progress is tied to the choice of mods, expansions and technologies implemented in the weapons.
I Am Hopeful, But Suspicious, by ExeKiller
Everything sounds like a promising list of features, especially compared to the gameplay videos and screenshots. But something doesn't feel right. Aside from the conflicting information that could probably be explained (1970s vs. 1998, vast open world vs. semi-open world, frivolous nature of the “Great Fire Disaster” world ending), it just feels too good, too tailored. Beyond the vibes, the world and story it promises give me serious hope that this is a game that is equal to the caliber of its inspirations such as Red Dead, Falloutand Cyberpunk. On the other hand, MindsEye he spoke well and The day before he knew how to get the attention of the players and I can't shake that feeling ExeKiller is of their caliber than others. It could also end up somewhere in the middle, I suppose, but something just doesn't feel right.
Use your gamer's eyes to cringe – are my suspicions unfounded? either way ExeKiller it's on my radar now. I just hope it's because the game lives up to the quality it promises and not a playbook used by non-gamers like MindsEye and The day before. I would certainly be happy to be proven wrong here.
