Super Rare Games and developer Ctrl Freak have announced Phantom Squad, a top-down tactical shooter with more than a hint of psychotically fast-paced run-and-gun game Hotline Miami about it.
Described by its devs as an "intense 1-4-player tactical top-down shooter" which combines "fast-paced combat with real-time strategy", Phantom Squad asks the question: what if you really had to think about what you were doing in Hotline Miami?
The game utilizes a similar top-down perspective, and its moment-to-moment action is quick and relentless, but you'll also have access to "in-game tools" to help you meticulously plan and execute your strategy before and during missions.
Phantom Squad's story revolves around the titular Phantom Squad, a "unit of officially KIA operatives" deployed to different locations around the world in order to help fight terrorism in all its forms.
Each member of the squad fills a different role, with combat duties defined by "the player's choice of weapons and gadgets". Missions will offer a range of objectives, too; you might, for instance, be extracting hostages, or you might be asked to neutralize a certain enemy within the mission.
Not only will you be able to use in-game tools to communicate with your squad, but you'll also have access to in-game voice chat to help you figure out how to approach each mission, so you can play this one online with your buddies as well.
Phantom Squad is one of a number of games seemingly inspired by neon-drenched classic Hotline Miami in recent years; others include the likes of trippy black-and-white roguelite Otxo and Devolver's own first-person ass-kicking simulator Anger Foot.
In any case, Phantom Squad will launch for PC via Steam sometime next year. There's no word yet on whether the game will also be coming to consoles, so watch this space for more info.
