SlavicPunk: Oldtimer

SlavicPunk: Oldtimer is an isometric shooter created by the Polish studio Red Square Games. The game is set in the cyberpunk universe known from the Polish book series SybirPunk by Michal Golkowski, a science-fiction writer who also created the game's protagonist.

Plot

The main protagonist of SlavicPunk: Oldtimer is Yanus - a private investigator with a troubled past. The story revolves around a job he was hired for - he must solve the mystery of stolen data. During his investigation he also takes on many side quests, facing gangsters, a powerful corporation and his own demons.

Setting

The developers of SlavicPunk: Oldtimer set the game in what they believe might be the modern world in a few decades. The setting is a post-communist, brutalist city built from concrete, bathed in neon lights, making use of both obsolete and futuristic tech, its people badly affected by non-equal division of goods. To survive and stay sane, one must be lucky and cunning.

At the same time the game features plenty of Slavic culture and exhibits a sarcastic sense of humor. All these elements make the world of SlavicPunk: Oldtimer unique compared to other cyberpunk settings. Though the game is based on SybirPunk novels, it's more of an expansion of Michal Golkowski's universe rather than an adaptation. This is the reason why the developers changed the game's title.

Mechanics

The gameplay of SlavicPunk: Oldtimer is shown from an isometric perspective. During our travels through the futuristic city, the player can sneak around, hack various devices or solve environmental puzzles. The most prominent feature, however, are firefights. Other than our guns' firepower - which can be increased thanks to the modular upgrade system - combat emphasizes movement, aiming and using cover.

Trivia

The game originated around late 2020 and early 2021, when Red Square Games was founded. The initial project director was Tadeusz Zielinski, a developer and game journalist formerly associated with the Polish Hyper TV channel. He left the studio midway through production.

Last updated on 28 June 2023