News by Dylan C.
A new gameplay trailer and a handful of details for the recently announced Frozen Synapse 2 have surfaced.
The sequel to Mode 7 Games’ turn-based tactics combat simulator will be set in a procedurally generated city where players are given the freedom to infiltrate any building on the map. Inspired by XCOM: Apocalypse, the player’s initial role is to investigate a series of incursions by a powerful force. There will also be a number of distinct factions that the player will have to deal with. Each of these different factions will take unique approaches to the conflict, depending on their own ideology.
The developer promises that the city they have built is a living, breathing system, with factions determining their own goals independently. You can pick up contracts from the different factions, steal from them or play them off against each other – it’s up to you. Everything in the game is on the map, from money and supplies to VIPs, hostages and even the player’s own in-game avatar. If a faction is transporting their stolen gear back from a raid, the player can ambush them and take the bounty for themselves. However, if the player’s base is raided and they are killed, it’s game over.
As well as the new map system, Mode 7 will be adding a litany of tweaks to the Frozen Synapse formula. There will be a significant number of new unit classes and more detailed individual perks. The more advanced AI now has some new stealth tactics: if a guard spots your squad, he will then activate the building’s security system, placing defensive teams on high alert. There will also be more curved level geometry and new objects like trees, rocks and cars that will help create more realistic, natural level designs. Like in its predecessor, Frozen Synapse 2 will be fully analogue rather than grid-based, so you can adapt your plans perfectly to fit the level.
Related reading: Matt’s review of the original Frozen Synapse for PC.
The game will also feature new multiplayer modes and an “Advanced Tactics” system for high-level players. This will be optional for high-level players and will allow the creation of elaborate conditional plans. More on multiplayer will be announced at a later date!
Frozen Synapse 2 is currently in pre-alpha and will enter beta later this year for PC. Mode 7 hopes to release the game on other platforms, but will announce more details later this year.
– Dylan C.
Contributor
