Paranautical Activity

Paranautical Activity is an unusual FPS with roguelike elements and visuals based on the voxel technology. The game was created by an independent, two-person studio Code Avarice. The title was created with the support of Kickster users and was initially released only on PC (on the Steam Early Access program). A year and a half after the release of the final version, the game was also released on the eighth generation consoles.

Mechanics

In terms of mechanics, Paranautical Activity is a typical FPS, inspired by such classics as Doom or Quake. In the course of the game we mainly deal with the elimination of subsequent opponents (more than 40 types) and fighting demanding bosses, and the battles are very dynamic, which requires a lot of reflexes and manual skills from the player. The game is varied by the treasure rooms hidden on maps, as well as shops where we can buy first-aid kits, armor and better weapons. The game stands out from the majority of shooters, however, with elements of roguelike, taken from such games as The Binding of Isaac or Spelunky. Each level of the game (as well as the distribution of opponents) is generated procedurally, and the hero's death is always final and means that we have to start playing from the beginning.

Game modes

Paranautical Activity offers single player mode only and does not offer any possibility of multiplayer competition.

Technical aspects

The distinguishing feature of Paranautical Activity are the three-dimensional, voxel-based visuals, resembling Minecraft or Cube World. Dynamic gameplay is accompanied by an equally energetic, dubstep soundtrack.

Additional information

An interesting fact: shortly after its PC launch Paranautical Activity was withdrawn from sale on Steam as a result of a radical statements by one of the creators. Annoyed by the errors in the description of his game and the incompetence of Steam's employees, he launched a hatred campaign in social media, in which he even went as far as to threaten Gabe Newell himself with death. The compromise with the largest digital distribution platform was achieved only after the rights to the title were sold to its current publisher, Digerati Distibution. The game returned to Steam on February 12, 2015 in an improved version called Atonement Edition, containing previously unavailable content.

Last updated on 16 May 2016