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A Look at the Guns Undarkness Demo

Steam Next Fest 2025 is almost here and it will be an opportunity for gamers to try out a variety of titles coming soon. Among the titles I got to play was Guns Undarkness. This is a game that takes the concept of a JRPG and puts it into a tactical action game.

Guns Undarkness is a stealth-action JRPG featuring some of the industry’s biggest names. The project is led by Shoji Meguro and Lotus Juice from the Persona series, along with Ilya Kuvshinov, known for The Wonderland and their work on Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2045. This preview covers the game in its current state and should not be considered a review. I plan to publish a full review once the game officially launches.

A New World of Chaos

Guns Undarkness is a stealth-action JRPG set in a war-ravaged future. After a catastrophic attack, the world enters an age of darkness called the Great Reset. Players control a rookie soldier in a private military company fighting to rebuild civilization. Their mission is to combat the Thousand Plateaus, the group responsible for the world’s devastation. Combining strategic stealth with intense combat, players must navigate a dangerous landscape to restore hope in a shattered society.

Playthrough of Guns Undarkness

The demo opens with the protagonist meeting Naomi and Will in the Devastated City. Due to an injury, Will stays behind, leaving you and Naomi to carry out the mission. This action-packed tutorial introduces players to gameplay and combat mechanics while navigating the facility. The mission culminates in a boss battle, where the target is joined by several grunts, testing the player’s skills.

The second mission follows a similar setup but introduces Will as a team member. This tutorial emphasizes teamwork and squad commands, teaching players how to coordinate attacks and outmaneuver enemies. Throughout the mission, players encounter several high-ranking foes, adding an extra layer of challenge. The mission concludes upon reaching the rendezvous zone, ending the demo session.

The gameplay blends stealth action with JRPG mechanics, offering both tactical and strategic depth. Before each mission, players can customize their weapons to suit their preferred playstyle. While navigating an area, avoiding detection is key, but once combat begins, the game shifts to a turn-based battle system. Each player and squadmate takes turns attacking before the enemy retaliates. Exploiting enemy weaknesses with the right attacks grants a significant advantage, as does initiating combat from behind cover. After each battle, you will earn Exp for your characters and their weapon skills.

Thoughts on Guns Undarkness

The concept of a stealth RPG is not new, with classics like Deus Ex, Dishonored, and Alpha Protocol emphasizing stealth-driven gameplay. However, Guns Undarkness takes a unique approach by combining turn-based combat with squad-based tactics. This blend of strategic positioning, stealth mechanics, and RPG elements sets it apart from its predecessors. The result is that it works well to its advantage while capturing the essence of a tactical stealth action game.

I also have to commend the game’s soundtrack, as it perfectly complements the world. It sets the right tone for a military-themed experience. The musical score knows hoe to build tension and an atmosphere of suspense.

Overall, the core concepts and ideas behind Guns Undarkness are in place, laying the foundation for a solid experience. What the game needs now is refinement and polish to elevate its overall quality. By fine-tuning the mechanics, visual designs, and HUD, it has the potential to become a standout experience.

Guns Undarkness is just one of many games that are available to try during Steam Next Fest 2025. This is a title I will look forward to when it launches.

Disclaimer: The publisher through a PR representative provided early access to the demo.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.