Beneath is solid mix of Dead Space and FEAR with a dash of Lovecraft
Good singleplayer experiences without online modes and map markers can never be too much, so keep an eye on the Beneath. It's a mix of the best titles of action game classics and FPP shooters set in the claustrophobic corridors of underwater locations.
Old-school shooter games from the 90s are really popular now and even have their own genre called "boomer shooters." Simple yet solid gameplay and references to old classics often outshine the flashy graphics of modern titles. They can provide a lot of fun, not to mention the absence of online services. And what if we combined one with the other? Provide a very good graphic design with suggestive lighting and mix it with gameplay from older shooters? The result will be Beneath, the latest project from Camel 101 studio, presented during the Find Your Next Game event, which is a mix of survival horror and FPP shooter.
During playtests conducted some time ago with a group of 150 people, one comment reportedly dominated: "This is just like F.E.A.R!" Another good comparison is Dead Space, and the developers themselves add to this Resident Evil and... Cthulhu! All of this creates a quite unique mix. We don't know yet how this mix will work in a game, but after the presentation, we already know which specific elements were taken from where.
Inspired by the best
In Beneath, we play as Noah, a deep-sea diver who regularly visits a base in the Atlantic. As is often the case in such stories, suddenly, we get into trouble. Our protagonist gets infected with something, some sinister organization starts hunting him, and as if that wasn't enough, monstrous creatures straight out of the worst nightmares emerge from the depths of the ocean. As you might guess, the aforementioned references to Cthulhu mythology are right there. This won't be any licensed game, just some loose inspiration, including ancient creatures from the depths of the ocean. The devs are big fans of Lovecraft's stories and wanted to convey a similar atmosphere in Beneath.
They have a pretty tough task ahead of them - combining the mysterious world with deep, dynamic action, where bullets from modern rifles and shotguns are constantly flying through the rooms. This is another familiar experience - a combat heavily modeled on the one from FEAR. There will be various types of firearms and their modifications to choose from.
An additional attraction is supposed to be the environment destruction. Bullets will destroy light sources and smaller objects. We'll be up against both well-trained corporate soldiers with different tactics and some seriously strong creatures from the depths. We'll definitely need to come up with different strategies, taking into both types of opponents. But we'll have to wait until the release to see if the AI algorithms are as well-written as they were in FEAR. There will also be boss fights, but the game is not supposed to be hardcore difficult.
Underwater, no one will hear your scream
The mechanics of progression through levels were borrowed from the Resident Evil series. Just like there, we need to find different codes for the doors, unlock ages, and locate required items to clear our way forward. This will lead through six different underwater station complexes, a bit like in System Shock. Each of them will differ slightly in appearance and purpose (e.g., medical wing, research wing, etc.), but what connects them is the narrow corridors and a constant feeling of claustrophobia. Besides, there are separate themed complexes and you will need to travel a certain distance underwater between them, using both deep-sea diving gear and a small submersible. Then, mechanics such as replenishing the oxygen supply will be added, while combat will be reduced to scaring off opponents with flares.
Our protagonist's mental health is also supposed to be deteriorating. The more he gets into the mysterious events happening at the research station, the harder it will be for him to accept the incredible things he sees, or to tell apart hallucinations from reality. Nevertheless, based on what we learned directly from the developers, it won't be a complex mechanism over which we gain influence. We will not receive medications to improve our mental state; rather, visual effects will appear at specific moments.
The plot of Beneath is to be told in all known ways, through cinematic cutscenes, encounters and conversations with NPCs, and all kinds of emails and audio logs found along the way. So exploration should be worth it. Optional activities will also be available, but in a very limited form, such as a hidden code to a safe, which may contain valuable resources or a useful rifle. Everything in the old, good style of linear gameplay leading to one ending.
For fans of Dead Space?
Despite the small media buzz and not much advertising, Beneath looks like a game that is worth keeping an eye on. This title should appeal to anyone who felt unsatisfied after the remake of Dead Space. We are meant to experience a similar atmosphere crafted by the interplay of lights, tight corridors, and fierce battles with foes. If technically everything presents a good level, we can get a solid mix of the best FPS games in a completely new brand. It's worth ing this title, even despite the fact that it doesn't sound particularly "cool." Because, Dead Space might be hiding under the water - and that's something you can't miss!
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