Slipgate is a retro first-person sci-fi horror survival shooter developed by Madness Studio. You will play as a lone marine, Jack "Hammer" Thompson, who navigates a ruined research facility, battling demonic entities and unraveling a portal experiment gone wrong, while you're thrown into a world of brutal action and challenging puzzles.

Slipgate delivers an experience reminiscent of games like Half-Life, Portal, Doom series, and Quake II. It blends retro aesthetics with modern enhancements, utilizing the FPS Creator engine with graphical upgrades. While the story focuses on a portal experiment gone wrong, the core focuses on non-stop shooting and exploration towards the unknown.

Classic meat-and-potatoes shooting game

The journey begins with a familiar setup: a lone hero against hordes of enemies. You are faced with a challenging environment filled with monsters descended from hell and puzzles that can take ages to solve. You are free to utilize a wide arsenal of weapons, from classic shotguns to experimental devices, as you progress through the levels. Keep in mind that you may find the level design occasionally confusing.

The game aesthetic is heavily inspired by the above-mentioned games, but with enhanced graphics, physics, and energetic soundtrack. Each level is designed to be as fluid as possible while keeping the late 90s and early 2000s vibes to it. Regarding its controls, it's very easy and familiar enough that it requires little to no learning curve at all to both new and experienced players.

As you progress, you can enhance your abilities with runes and face increasingly difficult boss fights, but may encounter performance issues on lower-end systems. You can use the environment to your advantage, exploiting destructible elements, but you may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of enemies. Take note that the game revels in its retro gore and different kinds of violence.

Retro shooter with modern guts

Slipgate successfully captures the essence of classic shooters, offering a bloody and engaging experience for fans of the genre. Despite its retro charm, the game faces challenges with performance and occasional level design issues, impacting its overall polish. Nonetheless, it’s a thrilling throwback for those seeking a nostalgic FPS experience.