Rules of Engagement: The Grey State Is a Brutal Mix of Strategy and Survival

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The extraction shooter genre is already crowded, making it tough to create something truly new. While its popularity has dipped slightly, many new games in this style still appear each year, much like battle royale titles. That’s why Rules of Engagement: The Grey State is so refreshing – it offers a really unique and creative approach to both extraction shooters and the monster elements within. The game’s imaginative monster designs are impressive enough to grab anyone’s attention, but it’s clear from interviews and gameplay reveals that Grey State Studios is building a full experience, not just relying on cool creatures to attract players – though that’s certainly what initially caught my eye.

I initially thought this game was developed by a brand new studio, but Grey State Studios actually has experience in the battle royale genre under a previous name, Aurora Studio. Their earlier game, Ring of Elysium, gained some popularity at first but eventually faded. Now, they’re applying those lessons to Rules of Engagement. While their past success wasn’t long-lasting, I was happily surprised by how creative and unpredictable their new game is.

Gameplay Premise

Rules of Engagement is a unique extraction shooter with a horror twist. The game, set in a world the developers call the ‘horroverse,’ throws a variety of monsters and horror concepts at players, making each match unpredictable. Beyond the spooky atmosphere, Rules of Engagement blends RPG and battle royale features, giving it a gameplay style that stands out from other games in the genre.

As a fan, what I’m most excited about is how the developers tackled ‘gear fear’ – that constant worry about losing all your hard-earned stuff in extraction shooters. They’ve done this by giving everyone the same starting gear each round, which levels the playing field. After that, it’s all about your strategy and how you build your character. There are three classes to choose from, but the cool part is how much you can customize your skills. Each match, you’ve got a tough choice to make: get out with a small reward, or push your luck for the ultimate prize – this thing called the Vertex. Apparently, the Vertex is what everyone’s fighting over in this dangerous place called the Grey State, and grabbing it means a huge, chaotic battle against both other players and some seriously scary monsters!

The game includes some RPG elements that make you feel like you’re improving over time. Although you start each match with fresh equipment, your skill tree progresses, so your character still develops. The matchmaking system is smart enough to pair you with players of a similar skill level, preventing newcomers from being overwhelmed. The skill trees let you customize your character – you can focus on dealing more damage to certain enemies, finding loot faster, or anything in between – allowing you to play the way you want, whether that’s focusing on fighting enemies, battling other players, or a mix of both, which is what I enjoy most. I also like that the game’s interesting world encourages exploration instead of just competitive fighting, and this game lets you do either.

Setting and Story

Inspired by horror films like Cabin in the Woods, Rules of Engagement features a dynamic central location that constantly throws new monsters at players. The game takes place in the Grey State, a shifting, multi-dimensional rift teeming with nightmares. You play as a highly trained operative tasked with securing a valuable artifact before your opponents do. While you’ll have access to modern military weaponry, the game truly stands out with its unique monster designs, which you’ll face in exciting PvPvE combat.

The game features a diverse and visually striking set of locations, including ancient Incan ruins, snow-covered villages similar to those in Resident Evil 4, eerie tombs inspired by H.R. Giger, a ruined cityscape, and a vibrant, Hong Kong-inspired metropolis. Players can quickly travel between these drastically different areas using teleportation points found on the maps, creating dynamic and unpredictable matches.

Builds

Don’t worry, though! Unlike many horror games, you won’t be completely defenseless when facing scary creatures. This game features a class system that lets you fight back. At launch, you can choose from three classes, each with a different way to play. The Sledge class is a tough tank, equipped with a riot shield and a powerful sledgehammer. They can also use one-handed guns like shotguns or pistols. On the other hand, the Phantom class focuses on stealth. They can turn invisible to sneak past enemies, steal items, and avoid fights altogether. They’re also skilled with sniper rifles and knives.

As a huge fan, I’m really excited about the Pyro! They’re all about controlling areas and forcing enemies out with flamethrowers, firebombs, and grenades. Honestly, though, I was a little surprised by something I noticed in the gameplay footage. They were fighting near wooden cabins, and none of the Pyro’s fire seemed to actually damage them! It felt a bit odd seeing all that fire with no effect on the environment. The good news is, the incendiary bombs do spread fire on grass, which is cool, and it even reveals those sneaky cloaked Phantoms, so that’s a nice tactical advantage!

Creatures and Factions

The most exciting part of this game is definitely the creatures. The developers aren’t exaggerating when they call it a ‘horrorverse’ – these monsters genuinely feel like they belong in a terrifying game like Silent Hill or Outlast. They also control how the game plays. At the start, smaller creatures appear, letting players find equipment and prepare. Later on, huge, often unstoppable monsters show up, forcing players to change their plans or cleverly use the monsters against their opponents.

The game features a truly unsettling and captivating cast of creatures. You’ll encounter nightmarish designs reminiscent of H.R. Giger, including beings with mouths where hands should be, and tentacled monsters similar to Mind Flayers. There are also massive, antlered wendigos and a colossal giant with a streetlight for a head. The developers have teased the addition of Slenderman-like figures and creatures inspired by Chinese mythology, fitting with the Hong Kong level. They’re even considering collaborations with popular horror movies and other franchises, which could bring iconic monsters into the game through future updates, creating a unique and expanding ‘horroverse’.

Rules of Engagement: The Grey State aims to be something different in the popular extraction shooter genre. It’s an ambitious game that combines horror, fast-paced shooting, and role-playing elements with a unique cast of monsters. By focusing on creative level design and removing the stress of managing equipment, the developers at Grey State Studios hope to breathe new life into the genre. If the game delivers on its promise of exciting, ever-changing matches and regular updates, Rules of Engagement could become a truly innovative multiplayer shooter.

Please be aware that the opinions shared in this article are solely those of the author and don’t reflect the official stance of GamingBolt.

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2025-11-02 14:42