Crimson Frontier — Gameplay Loop

Crimson Frontier is a fast-paced top-down shooter where players dive into a world of corporate intrigue, mercenaries, and ruthless battles. Our goal is to create a game that blends intense combat gameplay, diverse tactical possibilities, and a well-developed world where players must make difficult moral choices.

In this article, we want to share our vision of the game, its gameplay, and the overall player experience.

Gameplay Loop

Crimson Frontier is built on a deep combat system, exploration, character progression, and player influence on the world. You play as Adam Crimson, a veteran mercenary caught in the middle of a corporate conflict. His journey is a mix of battles, tactical decisions, and revenge.

Core Elements of the Game

Combat & Tactics

• Weapons: A diverse arsenal, ranging from pistols to powerful laser weaponry.
• Abilities: 10 active skills, including traps, support drones, protective fields, and grenades.
• Defense: Armor, exoskeletons, and cover mechanics for survival.
• Resource Management: Limited ammunition, requiring players to scavenge for supplies and adapt tactics based on the situation.

Exploration & Locations

• A variety of environments — from space stations to the wastelands of Planet Xinor.
• Secrets and alternative paths that influence progression.
• Interaction with NPCs who provide context for the unfolding events.

Character Progression

• Ability upgrades and equipment modifications.
• Skill resets to adjust tactics on the fly.
• Improving relationships with NPCs, affecting resources and combat support.

Story & Moral Choices

• A world shaped by corporate wars, where players can choose their allegiance.
• The development of Adam Crimson’s character and his interactions with the world around him.

Our Vision for Gameplay

Developer’s Perspective

We want players to feel like they are part of a living, breathing world full of danger and opportunity. Every battle should be dynamic and require strategy, and every decision should feel meaningful. Players don’t just «kill enemies»; they strategically utilize the environment, abilities, and tactics. We aim to balance action and exploration, keeping gameplay fresh and engaging.

Core Principles of the Game

• Aggressive but tactical gameplay. We avoid mindless «attack spamming» and push players to adapt to different situations.
• Enemy variety. Enemies differ not just visually but also tactically: robots are more predictable, bandits are cunning, and mutants are chaotic.
• Freedom of approach. Players can focus on long-range combat, close-quarters fights, traps, or a mix of tactics.
• Adaptive AI. Enemies react to player behavior, change tactics, and call for reinforcements.
• Interaction with the world. Exploration, hidden stashes, and alternative solutions enrich the gameplay experience.

Player’s Perspective

We want players to feel like the protagonist of an action-packed blockbuster, where every battle is filled with destruction, explosions, and adrenaline. This is how we imagine a player’s thoughts in the game:

"I’m a mercenary. The contract is simple: complete the job at any cost. I load my weapon and take a deep breath. Suddenly - a trap! An ambush right from the start. Perfect, let’s play by the hard rules. I grab the first thing I can - a pistol. I’ll find something stronger later. And there it is - a heavy blaster. Now enemies are flying apart even more spectacularly.
Armor? Found it! Now I feel nearly invincible.
I activate my abilities: trap and grenade. I deploy a barrier, lure enemies in, roll back, and toss a deadly charge. BOOM! Just scraps of armor and sparks from the robots remain. I need to upgrade the trap so they get stuck longer.
First boss! Huge, slow, but dangerous. First attempt - ouch. Second - better. Third time’s the charm, and I send him to the scrapyard. I level up and reset my skills. New build: support drone and rocket launcher. Time to play differently.
Next location. Endless sand dunes, vast open spaces. Wait, what?! A vehicle? I can accelerate, crush enemies, and speed through the dunes? Woohoo! But the joy is short-lived, something massive rises from the sand. A giant worm. Alright, beast, get ready. By now, I know one thing - if the enemy is huge, its downfall will be epic!"

This level of immersion is our goal. We want players to feel like an integral part of the world, influencing it rather than just moving from point to point.

Conclusion

Crimson Frontier is the kind of game we would love to play ourselves: intense action, tactical variety, a deep world, and meaningful moral dilemmas. We aim to make every battle thrilling, every decision impactful, and every playthrough unique.

Welcome to Crimson Frontier.