Den of Wolves: The Cyberpunk Heist Game You Can’t Afford to Miss!

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10 Chambers’ game, Den of Wolves, is poised to fulfill its commitment to craft an exceptional cooperative first-person shooter experience. It combines beloved elements from the team’s previous projects like Payday and GTFO, but also introduces innovative, thought-provoking twists that will make you reconsider your expectations. If you haven’t been keeping track of this cyberpunk-themed heist game, it’s high time you added it to your watchlist.

Approximately ten years ago, the creator of Payday, Ulf Andersson, embarked on a new venture within the gaming sector. This led to the establishment of 10 Chambers, which in turn attracted a diverse team of Swedish developers who shared a common goal: revolutionizing the cooperative First-Person Shooter (FPS) genre.

The studio’s initial release, “GTFO,” has left a lasting impression, even if its fanbase primarily consists of die-hard gamers. With its brutal level of challenge, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but still, an enormous number of players have tackled the chilling four-player shooter since its release.

Now, it’s time to discuss the sequel. The game “Den of Wolves” was unveiled at the 2023 Game Awards, and its stunning cinematic trailer left many impressed. Fifteen months later, I’ve had the opportunity to play the game and witness its potential firsthand. Although it adheres to established design principles, the shift towards a cyberpunk setting presents a plethora of fresh opportunities.

Developers have plenty of time to ensure everything is perfectly done, which is only fitting. However, I can’t wait to jump back into things as quickly as appropriate.

From banks and monsters to a cyberpunk dystopia

Instead of visiting the glittering wealth of the most valuable jewels and the constant gloom of the contaminated Complex, known as Den of Wolves, we embark on a journey to a future that’s not as it appears, a dystopian world with its share of deception.

In the chaotic heart of Midway City, a lawless land filled with shadowy corporations, I find myself operating – a gamer, but in this world, a criminal-for-hire. Here, I perform tasks that others won’t dare, often crossing lines that are blurred between dangerous and illegal, all for the promise of a substantial payday from these powerful entities. It’s not pretty, it’s not legal, but it pays well.

Essentially, Den of Wolves delivers just what you’d anticipate – a finely tuned, team-oriented first-person shooter game with a focus on heists. However, this time, it introduces an intriguing cyberpunk setting that introduces unexpected twists to the formula. These twists not only complement the tone but also lead the genre into unforeseen territories.

1) From the very beginning, it’s clear that this style change originates from deep-seated passion. In this universe, companies have rich histories and backstories, while criminal gangs are either admired or shunned. Moreover, the creators of the technology have their own pasts, adding layers upon layers to this immersive world.

Every empty space on a wall offers an opportunity to contribute to the narrative, ensuring that no detail is overlooked in terms of visual appeal. There’s plenty to analyze here, and it seems clear that this richness will continue to grow.

A sense of satisfaction and forward-thinking perspective pervades the workspace due to the completed tasks and future plans. One developer was even proud enough to display his tattoo emblazoned with the game’s insignia, symbolizing not only the project itself but also the dedication and hard work being poured into it.

Bite-sized heists

10 Chambers’ developers are introducing a significant shift in their signature structure, which is now characterized by preparatory missions. These brief tasks serve as intense, quick challenges that cater to players who might not have the time for extended gaming sessions lasting over 40 minutes.

As a gamer, I find that well-planned heists can be quite a challenge. To keep things cohesive, these preliminary missions serve as an opportunity to gain an edge when the main event, the big score, rolls around. Picture them as mini heists, where you’ll encounter only a few, manageable objectives to conquer.

In this scenario, our objective was to covertly traverse a high-security compound, break into a safe deposit box, and make off with several potent sniper drones which would aid us during the primary operation.

Although they may appear brief, these tasks are just as demanding as typical missions. Far from being a leisurely stroll, they remain challenging for those seeking an easier experience. Be reassured that, while 10 Chambers is expanding its reach with Den of Wolves, the level of difficulty remains intact.

The concept is to break down a significant portion of the entire event into manageable pieces that are easier to understand and accomplish. Instead of spending anywhere between 30 to 60 minutes for planning and executing a heist, these tasks could be completed within 10-20 minutes if you’re well-versed in the process.

There’s a strategic element involved; you can’t simply rush through these quick missions. In our case, it took us four tries to complete even the preparation mission. Each time we felt confident and charged ahead, things would go awry, leaving us back at the starting point.

In other words, the intention serves a dual role: firstly, it aims to offer the identical fundamental gaming experience suitable for shorter playtimes; secondly, it assists each team in readying themselves for their upcoming major operation or heist.

Based on the single instance we observed, it undeniably met all the criteria. It was engaging, highly enjoyable, and long enough for a quick play without asking people to sacrifice their entire afternoons.

Sticking to their guns

After taking care of the preparatory phase, it’s now time for the main confrontation. The mission we had available featured a nearly identical design. It consisted of two levels with approximately eight doors leading to vaults. The items we seek may not necessarily be found behind any specific door, so there’s an element of chance involved in our search.

Initially, we formed a team of four, moving synchronously from one jump to another in a clockwise direction. Although it started off well, we quickly found ourselves struggling as we became too compact. During the second try, we divided our group into two pairs on each side, and this strategy turned out to be much more effective.

In this task, seasoned players of Payday and GTFO should find the process quite recognizable. After securing your spot, it involves setting up a device to break open a vault, maintaining security in the vicinity for approximately a minute, and ultimately collecting the loot inside.

Absolutely, new adversaries keep popping up to thwart your progress. In the demonstration we saw, however, it seemed challenging to move stealthily. The enemies were particularly vigilant following our preparatory mission, and they showed no signs of letting up.

In a continuous flow of situations, it’s crucial to maintain your accuracy and smart resource usage. Neglect either, and you risk being defeated sooner rather than later. Effective communication is key too, as it allows you to coordinate and take down powerful enemies with greater health than usual, which might otherwise wipe out the entire team if left unchecked by all four players.

I’m thrilled to have an impressive collection of weaponry at my disposal right from the start! In this initial phase of Den of Wolves, there’s no shortage of weapons to try, spanning from submachine guns and shotguns to my go-to favorite, the DMR. Each one serves its purpose uniquely, making the decision on which one to use a thoughtful choice rather than instinctual like in other games I’ve played.

I must say, the thrill of gunplay never fails to captivate me. The weapons feel incredible when fired, and every accurate shot provides an immediate, mesmerizing response.

In addition to the regular gear, you’ll find bonus items such as dynamite and portable shields, making the game even more challenging due to the increased skill requirements. When you’re fully immersed in the mechanics, you can feel invincible… until you take the plunge (dive).

Going under

Moving on from previously mentioned tasks, diving represents a major change in the gameplay structure for Den of Wolves. With its cyberpunk setting, developers are making full use of this innovative and puzzling addition.

Following the unlocking of essential vaults and gathering all necessary items, our task took an unexpected twist. In a manner reminiscent of the movie Inception, we were seemingly knocked unconscious, disappearing from our perception of reality only to discover ourselves within the mental landscape of the individual we were covertly robbing.

All weapons vanished, our balance felt strange, and we suddenly had no idea which way to go. Our mission was straightforward – reach the end of this ‘plunge’ before time expired and you were sent back to your physical body. The challenge is that there’s no obvious path ahead.

Or,

In easy-to-understand language: All weapons disappeared, we felt disoriented due to strange gravity, and we couldn’t figure out which direction to move. Our task was clear – reach the end of this ‘descent’ before time ended and you returned to your human form. The issue is that there’s no visible path to follow.

In this rugged landscape, we found ourselves jumping substantial gaps from one stone to another. This intricate maze-like design also allowed us to scale vertical surfaces like they were horizontal, dramatically altering our viewpoint. Essentially, what lay overhead could serve as the ground beneath our feet, if desired.

Following this, there was a frenzied scramble as all four players leaped haphazardly, their movements scattershot as they tried to make it to the finish line. This unexpected interruption halted the continuous flow of FPS gameplay and momentarily transported you into an entirely fresh experience.

In an instant, it unfolds before you – a mere blink of an eye in the physical realm. Yet, in your imagination, you’ve journeyed through that ethereal landscape for what feels like a couple of minutes.

10 Chambers developers were inquired about whether combat will be incorporated into these ‘dives,’ making them more challenging. Although a direct response wasn’t provided, it seems reasonable to anticipate that traversal won’t be the sole focus in future dives. There are likely many unexpected elements ahead.

10 Chambers hasn’t specified any exact date for the game’s release yet, as the developers are not yet ready to commit to a specific launch time at this point. The phrase “Coming when it’s done” isn’t merely a humorous tagline; it accurately reflects that players will receive the game only after it has been thoroughly developed and polished.

Despite needing further refinements, the current build is quite robust. It appears the decision about how extensive the content will be at the initial early access release lies with the developers. So, we’ll all just need to remain patient and wait for more updates.

When Den of Wolves is ready, I’ll be there.

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2025-04-01 19:20