New Steam Game Could Either Be the Caliber of Red Dead 2 & Cyberpunk 2077 or MindsEye & The Day Before, and I’m Conflicted

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Paradark Studio, a small game developer in Krakow, Poland, recently showed off some gameplay from their new game, ExeKiller. I was instantly drawn in by the game’s unique style and world design, which seem to be the main focus right now. However, I’m also a little worried – it could be an amazing game like Red Dead 2 or the recent update to Cyberpunk 2077, but it also has the potential to become another disappointment like The Day Before or MindsEye.

I’m getting a gut feeling about this, more than anything. EA’s new Skate game keeps pushing the idea of “Skater Eyes,” and while the term is a little awkward, I think there’s something to it. We, as gamers, can usually spot something that’s made with AI, or when a game’s marketing feels inauthentic—especially when things seem too good to be true, like with games such as The Day Before and MindsEye. There’s often a mix of excitement and skepticism around these titles, and I’m feeling both. Let’s take a closer look, and you can tell me if my doubts are unwarranted.

My initial reaction to seeing ExeKiller was incredibly positive – I immediately wondered why I hadn’t heard of it before. It felt like a game perfectly suited to my tastes, as if it were designed specifically for me. However, that excitement was quickly followed by a question: how could this be? ExeKiller is the first game from Paradark Studio, meaning they’re a relatively new and untested developer. While that’s not necessarily a cause for concern, it does give me pause, even considering all the praise I’ve heard for Unreal Engine 5 (aside from its performance issues).

What is ExeKiller: A Game That Vibes With Red Dead, Cyberpunk, and Fallout

The game ExeKiller takes place in a 1988 New York City that has been devastated by a global catastrophe called the “Great Fire Disaster,” which occurred twenty years earlier and nearly wiped out all life on Earth. While the game aims for a New York setting, it feels more like a generic wasteland with familiar New York elements – similar to what you might expect from a Fallout game. The disaster left only 30% of humanity alive, with very few safe zones remaining. Following the catastrophe, governments collapsed and corporations took over, creating a world reminiscent of Cyberpunk 2077.

Okay, so imagine a world that feels like both Fallout and Cyberpunk 2077 – a seriously messed up future with crazy tech like biochips and powerful corporations running everything. It’s got a strong Western feel too. Honestly, if The Great War from Fallout happened in Night City, and then Red Dead Redemption 2 took place in what was left… that’s basically Exekiller. That’s how I’d describe it to a friend!

ExeKiller Protagonist & Features

Without S.O.U.L, you simply don’t exist.

In Exekiller, you play as Denzel Fenix, a bounty hunter in a futuristic world. Your job is to track down targets and collect S.O.U.L. biochips – devices that store and even control people’s memories. These chips are made by a powerful, unnamed corporation on ‘New Earth,’ and might even be connected to your employer, Helion, a massive company overlooking the ruins of New York City. As Fenix, you’ll uncover secrets that make you a target as well as a hunter, putting you in the crosshairs of several powerful groups.

As far as gameplay features are concerned:

  • PLAYER DRIVEN STORY – Choices affect not only the way the story develops, but also every situation you face, offering massive replayability. I ain’t Gen Z, but can I say it’s giving MindsEye?
  • CHOICE IS A PRINCIPLE – Players are never limited to one path or solution for every encounter. This emphasis on choice promises to make every playthrough unique and change the outcome of NPCs, dialogue options, and possible endings.
  • A VAST OPEN WORLD – The world is described as both beautiful and lethal, complete with diverse regions ranging from deserts and canyons to deadly highways to radioactive fields. I ain’t Gen Z, but can I say it’s giving Fallout? Furthermore, it’s worth noting that the official website calls it a vast open world, but the Steam page calls it a semi-open world environment. As of this writing, it’s unclear which is accurate.
  • HUNT OUTLAWS – Players can decide to kill them, bring them to justice, or set them free. While doing so, players can leverage stealth options, various types of weapons and gadgets, various gameplay abilities, stealth situations, or talking your way out of problematic situations.
  • EVER-CHANGING ENVIRONMENT: ExeKiller‘s landscape shifts between a day/night cycle, dynamic weather, and radioactive sun storms.
  • UNIQUE SETTINGS AND VISUALS: Exekiller describes its art style as “combining retro-futuristic technological advancements with post-apocalyptic scenery—all served with a western movie vibe.” That’s where the Cyberpunk, Fallout, and Red Dead hodgepodge comes from, then. It promises that its visuals are designed to transport players to the 1970s…despite taking place in a destroyed 1998.
  • UNIQUE CHARACTER PROGRESSION – Exekiller is described as an action-adventure game, not an RPG, likely because there is no XP or leveling up. Instead, the player’s progression is tied to the choice of mods, augments, and tech implemented in weapons.

I Am Hopeful, But Suspicious, of ExeKiller

The game’s announced features sound amazing, especially when you look at the gameplay footage and images. However, I have a nagging feeling something isn’t quite right. It’s not just the inconsistencies – like the differing time periods, open-world size, and tone of the central disaster – it’s that the game seems almost too perfect, too specifically designed to appeal to players. Despite these concerns, the promised world and story genuinely excite me, and I hope it lives up to the quality of its inspirations, such as Red Dead, Fallout, and Cyberpunk. But I’m wary because games like MindsEye and The Day Before also made big promises and ultimately disappointed. I fear ExeKiller might follow a similar path. It’s possible the final product will be somewhere in between, but I still can’t shake the feeling that something is off.

Okay, I’m trying to figure out if this new game, ExeKiller, is actually good or just… trying too hard. I’ve got a bad feeling, honestly. I really hope it delivers on its promises and isn’t following the same disappointing path as games like MindsEye and The Day Before. Please, let me be wrong about this one! I’m keeping a close eye on it, but I’m cautiously optimistic.

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2026-01-09 21:05