With the long wait between a sequel of either Cyberpunk 2077 or Red Dead Redemption 2 seeming longer than ever, it’s the perfect time to take a look at smaller, but similarly creative titles. While there are plenty of games that have tried to achieve the same level of success as the two gaming giants, few have come close to their sheer scale and ambitious development. Even if it will be some time before we see anything from the two franchises soon, there’s one indie game that I can’t wait to see tackle its unique mix of genres.
It’s easy to slap together simple design elements of popular titles, but it takes a lot of creativity to transform them into something that still feels like it has a unique identity. Few games have attempted to replicate the classic Western formula to compete with Red Dead Redemption, let alone incorporate futuristic aspects from Cyberpunk. Even if its first reveals were a little rough around the edges, each additional glimpse of this 2025 release gets me more excited about its full potential.
ExeKiller Is A Cyberpunk Post-Apocalyptic Western
A Surprisingly Underused Setting For The Industry
Set in a world that blends cyberpunk tech with the bounty-hunter-filled wastes of the Wild West, ExeKiller‘s retro-futuristic style aims to provide an action-packed shooter with a narrative that focused on varied story choices. Aside from its obvious video game inspirations, the upcoming ExeKiller seems like the closest we’ll get to a modern Blade Runner game anytime soon, with its protagonist and central concept being closely tied to the blockbuster series.
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Playing as a legendary bounty hunter, you’ll spend your time in ExeKiller chasing down villainous outlaws with a trusty sidearm and augmented abilities, all while trying to survive a retro sci-fi world where everything seems to get you. With the chance to flesh out the country hunting mechanics that Cyberpunk 2077 failed to fully develop, ExeKiller‘s gameplay loop has the perfect chance to tell an iconic sci-fi cowboy story without needing to worry about as many other details.
Although the initial trailer’s voice acting and animation quality were a bit rough around the edges, the ambitious gameplay, unique concept, and striking art design easily helped ExeKiller to make a memorable impression. As if the implementation of Cyberpunk and Cowboy themes weren’t enough, there’s an undeniable sense of Fallout in ExeKiller‘s post-apocalyptic environments, survival elements, and zombie-like androids.
A Mix Of RDR, Cyberpunk 2077, & Fallout Sounds Amazing
Combining All My Favorite Media Into One Complete Package
If you’re still looking to scratch that Cyberpunk 2077 itch, Exekiller seems like it could be a fantastic option when it eventually releases, and it has the potential to surpass the sum of its parts with a more focused narrative experience. While I would normally be a little skeptical of such an ambitious concept from such a small studio, ExeKiller‘s developers have posted several Dev Diaries on Steam that showcase its ongoing development and creative worldbuilding.
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After being first revealed independently on their own YouTube channel, ExeKiller‘s lack of a major reveal during an anticipated game showcase likely didn’t do it any favors in reaching the audiences of its gaming inspirations. Although it remains to be seen if the smaller team can deliver on the ambitious goals that ExeKiller strives to achieve, it’s undoubtedly one of my most anticipated indie games of the year.
Source: Paradark Studio/YouTube, Steam
Cyberpunk 2077
8/10
- Released
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December 10, 2020
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Engine
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REDengine 4
- Cross-Platform Play
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ps, xbox, pc
- Cross Save
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yes
