New Swat Simulator on Steam is Essentially the Ready Or Not-Version of Cyberpunk 2077’s MaxTac

Players of Cyberpunk 2077 are familiar with the dangers of Night City, a place overrun with violent cyberpsychos and gangs. Surviving on the streets requires toughness, but the NCPD’s MaxTac team – a highly specialized SWAT unit – is there to handle the most extreme threats. Those who’ve caused trouble in Cyberpunk 2077 know how formidable MaxTac can be. Now, a new simulator on Steam lets players experience the action from MaxTac’s perspective.

While many games try to simulate SWAT teams, few truly capture the fast-paced, high-stakes decisions and risks of real SWAT operations. Ready or Not is widely considered one of the best, and the new Steam game Defect takes a similar approach. It puts players in a role like the MaxTac unit and drops them into a dangerous, futuristic cyberpunk world.

Currently in development and available to wishlist on Steam, Defect looks very promising based on gameplay shown by emptyvessel. The game puts you in the role of an elite cyberpunk SWAT team, battling dangerous AI and cyber threats controlled by The System – a powerful ruling AI. The System’s control has led to a chaotic world filled with corrupt police, rebel groups, and various gangs. As a player, you’ll equip advanced weapons and technology to complete missions such as smuggling, assassination, and arrest.

Cyberpunk Swat Missions in Defect

Although the story details are still limited, the developers of Defect have explained how the cooperative and player-versus-player modes will function. Players will team up, but cooperative missions aren’t limited to just the PVP matches. Each team enters a match with a unique objective, representing different factions. These objectives might occasionally overlap, but not always. The game is designed as four cooperative missions happening concurrently in the same area, and these missions can sometimes directly conflict with one another.

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Deploy with a squad, representing one of several factions, and gear up with weapons and gadgets.
Pursue multi-phase goals that evolve or change mid-battle.
Environments are destructible or interactable, e.g., destroy walls, flip furniture for cover, and utilize even debris and dust for distractions.
There are unique cyberpunk systems rooted in the gameplay. For example, it is possible to hijack enemy bodies.
Teammates or medical stations are required to survive. Resource management is a must.
Each match reflects a city state influenced by objectives and player interactions.

Laws do not exist here, only The System does

A “Defect” squad’s missions often have goals that unlock as you progress. How players handle these goals impacts what happens next. Examples of these goals include shutting down a dangerous AI, capturing important individuals, or completing a task called a “R.E.P.O.” – though the details of what a R.E.P.O. involves are still being defined.

The controlling faction in the game can do things like steal important information from enemies, shut down local systems to disrupt everyone, and cover up their presence. Many first-person shooter games don’t offer enough varied objectives, but ‘Defect’ seems to be addressing that with a promising set of goals already planned, including unique end-game scenarios like a ‘Neural Failstate Triggered’ event.

Defect’s Steam Gameplay Features at a Glance

Cyberpunk squad shooter set in a dystopian city ruled by a cold, authoritarian AI
Multiple playstyles: deep single-player, tactical co-op with friends, or frantic 4v4v4v4 PvP combat
Dynamic multi-objective battles that shift mid-match
Tactical squad coordination: gear up together, capture pickups, and use advanced weapons & tech to survive.
Cross-platform multiplayer with both online and LAN support, plus full controller compatibility.
Includes a level editor for custom scenarios and mod-friendly gameplay.

Defect Puts a Premium on Gunplay and Immersion

As a gamer, one of the things that really makes or breaks a simulation game for me is how believable it feels. Ready or Not nails the feeling of being on a SWAT team, and Cyberpunk 2077 has this incredibly detailed world and backstory that just sucks you in, even if it’s a pretty messed up future. So, when a game tries to blend those kinds of realistic elements – like Defect is attempting – it’s a seriously tough challenge, and the developers definitely know it.

In the gritty world of Defect, a smog-choked city is on the verge of collapse thanks to a ruthless AI. The city itself is built to look and feel like a warzone. The developer explains that every detail – from back alleys to rooftops – is designed for defense, enhancing both the immersive experience and offering strategic gameplay opportunities. This approach extends to the overall map and area design.

Levels like ‘The Wall’ – a cramped combat zone within a factory probably run by the System – and the foul-smelling, claustrophobic sewers, complete with hidden living spaces for those controlled by the System, are all intentionally restrictive. Even seemingly basic areas, such as the Boiler Room or Corner 2B, are carefully designed to feel tight and enclosed. This serves two purposes: it makes players feel the weight of the System’s control, and it creates the intense, challenging firefights you’d expect from a realistic tactical game.

Cyberpunk 2077 and Swat Simulator Fans Should Keep an Eye on Defect

Coming up with the idea for a game and actually making it are two very different things. It will be fascinating to see if Defect can live up to its potential, but the game’s unique concept is already exciting for fans. By combining the immersive world-building of Cyberpunk 2077 with the precise shooting mechanics of Ready or Not, Defect has the potential to be truly special—as long as development stays on track.

2026-02-21 19:05