Discover the Sci-Fi FPS That Will Redefine Your Gaming Experience in 2025!

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One intriguing unveiling during Sony’s February State of Play broadcast was the futuristic first-person shooter, “Metal Eden,” by Reikon Games. This game, with a vibe reminiscent of games like Titanfall, Sprawl, and Ghostrunner from One More Level, caught many eyes due to its striking visuals and polished presentation. However, those familiar with Reikon’s past work on the indie hit “Ruiner” might suspect that the visually appealing Metal Eden won’t just be style over substance. After getting a chance to play Metal Eden, it seems safe to say it could be one of the most captivating games set for release in 2025.

Game Rant recently got to experience an early version of the game called Metal Eden, featuring both the prologue chapter and the initial main mission. Notably, Metal Eden seems to draw inspiration from an older era in gaming, prioritizing thrilling gunplay and momentum within a narrative-driven, solo player adventure. Furthermore, the fighting style in Metal Eden bears a strong resemblance to Doom and Doom Eternal, with an emphasis on continual movement, assaulting enemies using various weapons, while also captivating players with its stunning visuals and music.

Metal Eden’s Demo Hints At a Dark, Dystopian Sci-Fi Narrative

Characters in the game “Metal Eden” assume the identity of ASKA, one of numerous sophisticated fighting robots known as Hyper Units, whose duty is guarding the advanced sci-fi cityscape called Moebius. Built centuries from now as a utopian center for human civilization in space, Moebius soon reveals signs of trouble. With no other guide than an enigmatic entity known as the Nexus, ASKA embarks on her quest to resist the Internal Defence Corps and liberate the citizens, yet she remains uncertain about the specifics of what this freedom means.

In the full version of the game, “Metal Eden” appears to be a significant plot element that will motivate players to complete the campaign, much like it was in Reikon’s previous game, “Ruiner”. Although the main emphasis of the playable demo is on “Metal Eden”‘s gameplay, there are enough narrative threads woven throughout to spark curiosity and leave you eager to discover more. What may initially appear as a typical dystopian sci-fi story quickly proves otherwise, as it unfolds that Nexus is both beneficial and menacing. This reminds us of other malicious AIs such as “Portal”‘s GLaDOS or the AI from “2001: A Space Odyssey”, HAL.

There’s Equal Parts Blade Runner and Elysium in Metal Eden’s Sci-Fi Atmosphere and Setting

In terms of its science fiction setting and narrative, Metal Eden shows some resemblances to well-known media delving into similar realms. The city of Moebius embodies a unique fusion of the gritty, neon-drenched retrofuturism reminiscent of Blade Runner and the sleek, immaculate spires characteristic of Neill Blomkamp’s Elysium. While Moebius initially seems like the idyllic “promised land” for a futuristic space-traveling society akin to Mass Effect’s Citadel, ASKA must explore the unsavory corners of the metropolis, which are overrun with clutter, debris, and decay. One moment in this game might present players with cutting-edge, angular architecture, while the next could have them navigating through enemies lurking in dark alleyways and dilapidated cargo holds that resemble those found in dystopian future sci-fi like Deus Ex.

To put it simply, the artistic direction and environmental layout in Metal Eden are nothing short of astonishing. Players will find a variety of methods to navigate the game world, such as wall-running similar to games like Ghostrunner, Sprawl, or Titanfall. Additionally, they can use a double jump and jetpack for crossing large distances, and propulsion pods to send ASKA soaring through the air, sometimes even grabbing onto zip lines that swiftly transport you from one part of Moebius to another. Remarkably, the level design in Metal Eden is meticulously crafted not only to accommodate these navigation elements but also to pay homage to several well-known science fiction series, making Moebius feel like it belongs among the genre’s most iconic settings.

Combat in Metal Eden Will Immediately Hook Fans of Doom (2016) and Titanfall 2

Although the story in the demo build of Metal Eden piqued our interest, it seems to take a secondary role to its gameplay, which is exceptionally engaging for fans of single-player FPS campaigns that emphasize narrative. Preliminary impressions of Metal Eden hint at similarities with Titanfall 2, but the fast-paced movement and combat feel more akin to 2016’s Doom. The blend is impressive, as players are encouraged to stay active in order to dodge hordes of enemies in congested battlefields that offer numerous opportunities for creative play.

In the game Metal Eden, common adversaries are typically defeated using firearms. However, ASKA possesses both melee attacks and a unique “Core Removal” technique. This technique makes enemies drop health bonuses similar to games such as Doom and Doom Eternal. After an enemy’s core is removed, ASKA can absorb it for some health and a temporary “Super Punch” ability, or throw it like a grenade, causing the enemy to shatter into pieces.

In battles against heavily armored adversaries, ASKA’s Cores play a crucial role. She can either use her Super Punch to temporarily weaken their defenses or fire Cores at them to break through their armor. Following this initial attack, she swiftly retaliates with a rapid succession of shots from her preferred weapon. With numerous movement options available to the player, each confrontation presents multiple small decisions that need to be made, all while ensuring continuous motion. This dynamic results in an engaging “push-forward” combat puzzle similar to what was appealing about Doom and Doom Eternal, but with a more manageable array of choices reminiscent of the original game.

Metal Eden’s Skill Trees and Character Progression Are a Pleasant Surprise

One aspect of the game Metal Eden that wasn’t anticipated but turned out to be delightful was the addition of branching skill trees and fully-functional weapon upgrade stations. These features allow players to make adjustments during missions. The game offers a total of three skill trees, one focusing on enhancing ASKA’s suit, while the other two concentrate on improving her Core functions and her Core power. In the demo version, only a few upgrades were accessible, but this system seems promising for offering strategic complexity in how players choose to grow and customize ASKA in the complete game. Similarly, the weapon upgrade station, which uses “Dust” as currency, offers increasingly potent upgrades for your preferred weapons.

In essence, the short demonstration of Metal Eden succeeded in the same way that exceptional demos often do – it sparked our desire for more and fueled anticipation for the complete edition. For those who experienced Ruiner, it’s no wonder to find Reikon delivering another shooter with full vigor. What’s striking is how the studio has leveraged additional resources to transform Metal Eden into a story-driven first-person shooter that caters to players seeking a well-crafted shooter with a rich depth and flexibility in expression.

The game titled “Metal Eden” is set to release on May 6, 2025, and it will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. For the purpose of this preview, we were given a PC access code by Game Rant.

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2025-03-02 05:17