Reikon Games, developer of 2017’s Ruiner, is back with another hyperviolent cyberpunk shooter called METAL EDEN. Taking place on the artificial techno planet Möbius, you play as a female android named ASKA on a mysterious infiltration mission. Switching from Ruiner’s isometric gunplay to a frenetic, arena-based first-person shooter akin to iD Software’s recent DOOM games, METAL EDEN certainly seems promising based on the two missions I was able to experience, with a unique central mechanic that may either improve or hold back the game depending on how well it is utilised in the final product.
It’s the far future, and humanity has explored the stars via technology that lets humans digitise their consciousness and download them into cybernetic bodies. You play as ASKA, an unstoppable Hyper Unit sent on a rescue mission deep into a dangerous Hive prison. The preview sets out some intriguing world-building, but the specifics of the actual plot are left somewhat vague. What is presented did leave me eager to find out more, however.
As far as gameplay is concerned, METAL EDEN is squarely a highly kinetic arena shooter, with some first-person platforming sprinkled in between the gunfights. In the two missions I played, I got to use an assault rifle, a pistol and a shotgun, each of which has upgradable secondary fire modes which you can purchase at PIG Stores dotted throughout missions. ASKA can also augment her own abilities periodically throughout levels via three different upgrade trees. The main unique string to METAL EDEN’s gameplay bow is ASKA’s ability to rip the cores out of weakened foes. These cores can be thrown back as grenades or consumed for health, armour and a melee boost.
Core ripping felt like a decent iteration of DOOM’s infamous glory kills or Shadow Warrior 3‘s Gore Tools. In particular, certain armoured enemies all but require you to consume a core and remove their armour with an empowered melee attack to do any meaningful damage to them whatsoever. That said, the core ripping ability is tied to a lengthy 30-second cooldown. Objectively, 30 seconds isn’t that long, but it feels like an eon in a fast-paced shooter like this. Downing weaker foes fortunately shaves a few seconds off the timer, however it can feel a bit of a slog to wear down armoured foes when you’re near the end of the wave and have run out of fodder to gun down in order to charge up your core ripper.
“…weapons feel hugely satisfying to wield, with a powerful kick to them and booming sound design which makes gunning down androids a real treat.”
Fortunately, METAL EDEN’s arsenal is pretty enjoyable. The game’s weapons feel hugely satisfying to wield, with a powerful kick to them and booming sound design which makes gunning down enemy androids a real treat. Zipping around the battlefield to create distance from your enemies is also made easy with a good variety of exciting mobility options. These include double jumping, gliding and wall-running, as well as a grappling hook. Using these skills is often required to reach out-of-the-way ammo and armour pickups during firefights. It is unclear at this stage if the full game will include secret areas to encourage going off the beaten path using these abilities.
METAL EDEN’s cyberpunk visuals were mostly delightful. While the two missions I played had an overall grey colour pallette which wasn’t all that engaging to look at, the game excels in a lot of the smaller details, such the holographic ammo displays which hover next to your weapon and the gorgeous cutscenes. Hopefully the later levels in the full game will expand METAL EDEN’s visual horizons somewhat.
Overall, I ended my time with METAL EDEN so far and am quite excited for the full experience. The game lives up to the frenetic pace promised by Reikon Games’ pedigree, with a satisfying arsenal, fluid movement mechanics and an exciting cyberpunk setting.
METAL EDEN is one to keep an eye out for when it releases on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC on the May 6, 2025.
About the Author
Tom Quirk
he/him
Tom Quirk plays a lot of video games, but when he isn't, he is reading fantasy novels and watching way more television than is healthy.
