Get ready to team up with Section 9!
[toggler title=”TL;DR” ]First Assault Online, a squad-based multiplayer FPS on PC, will take place in the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex anime universe. A SkillSync system will allow for tactical game-play, and will utilise unique skills each playable character will possess. Currently, the game consists of three main modes. [/toggler]
[dropcap size=small]M[/dropcap]asamune Shirow’s manga and anime Ghost in the Shell has enjoyed huge successes, with the critically acclaimed movie adaptation back in 1995, as well as the off-shoot anime series Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone complex – which enjoyed over fifty episodes of cyber, gun-toting action – it seems there’s no end to Shirow’s neon-tastic world.
Now, Masamune’s creation will be back once more in the shape of an online multiplayer FPS for PC, with Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – First Assault Online.
First Assault will be largely based on the Stand Alone Complex off-shoot anime, which follows Section 9, who are cyborg cops out to fight cyber terrorists in a futuristic Japan.
Shirow’s cybernetic universe certainly makes for a fantastic setting to base a game, and it’s easy to see why developers would view it as a great foundation to create an interesting game-play experience.
So what can we expect from this Ghost in the Shell online FPS?
Well, for starters, it will be a squad-based shooter which utilities a SkillSync system, with each playable character having a unique skill that can be tactically used and shared within the team.
Neople’s Lead Director Jung Eik Choi recently spoke to Comic Book Resources, and gave us a good idea of what we can expect.
[P]layers can become one of the original characters from the anime series. Each character has a unique skill, and through the SkillSync system, these skills can be shared with allies for more tactical gameplay. Also, players can battle along with Tachikomas, adding more excitement to the game.
Tachikomas are the spider-like combat walkers with artificial intelligence that appear in the Stand Alone Complex universe.
The game will consist of three main modes: ‘Team Deathmatch,’ ‘Demolition’ and ‘Terminal Conquest.’
Here’s the low-down on these modes from Choi:
In “Team Deathmatch,” Section 9 fights against opposing forces in specific locations and players, and the side that eliminates more opponents within the limited time wins the battle.
“Demolition” brings Section 9 to strategic locations where critical assets must be defended and destroyed. When on defense, the team must eliminate all opposing forces from destroying their assets or diffuse any explosions that are planted. When on attack, the team must eliminate all opposing forces or plant an explosive to destroy the opponents assets.
Lastly, “Terminal Conquest” is a mode in which Section 9 must capture strategic terminals and prevent the opposing forces from doing so. When a terminal is successfully captured, the team calls in a Tachikoma that supports fire and takes an important role in capturing further terminals. However, if the opposing team captures a terminal, they will call in a Think Tank to support them. You’ll need to hack the Think Tank to temporarily disable it and attack it to bring it down.
For the time being, these are the current main modes you can expect to experience in the Early Access format of the game which is currently available on Steam, but Neople promises more modes, maps and characters in future.
Stylistically and graphically it has to be said that the game looks fantastic – as can be seen in the below game-play trailer which was recently released.
If you’re a fan of Ghost in the Shell then this is definitely worth a look in; particularly if you enjoyed the Stand Alone Complex series. And for FPS fans, this looks set to be an interesting contender in the genre.
You can try out the Early Access game for yourself on Steam now.
