Chris InglisSlavicPunk: Oldtimer is an isometric shooter developed by Red Square Games, originally releasing on PC in 2023, and had its console launch in November 2024. This review will focus on the Xbox Series X version of the game which is reminiscent of a similar game called The Ascent but with a distinct and grittier Slavic flavour. It trades the vibrant, often over-saturated neon of other cyberpunk titles for a more subdued, atmospheric approach, creating a world that feels both familiar and unique at the same time. While it stumbles in a few key areas, the core gameplay loop and overall atmosphere shines through with some interesting gameplay elements that kept my interest.
The story, while intriguing, is presented in a somewhat disjointed manner. The writing is serviceable, but it could benefit from more polish and depth. It is based on the works of Michał Gołkowski, a recognised Polish science-fiction and fantasy author. Gołkowski created the story of main character Yanus – a private detective with a turbulent past, who tries to solve the case of stolen data, fighting his inner demons, city gangs and an all-powerful corporation responsible for the decay of the city he once called his own.
I liked the stylised visuals of the cutscenes in SlavicPunk: Oldtimer; however, the biggest missed opportunity lies with the voice acting, or lack thereof. There is voice acting in the main gameplay segments, but they are just a sentence or too from Yanus. He is the typical gruff and no-nonsense shit-talking detective type, and I got a chuckle out of some of his dialogue. The cutscenes were doing the heavy lifting for the story, but they are largely silent. There’s no voices in these cutscenes and often no music either. This significantly detracted from the narrative experience and prevents the player from fully connecting with the characters and the world.
The twin-stick shooting mechanics are solid and responsive with the Xbox controller, providing a satisfying sense of weight and impact to the weapons. I gravitated towards the shotgun in my playthrough, but the rifle had its place at times of many enemies. The real star of the show, however, is the hacking system. Being able to strategically hack enemies to inflict damage and/or stagger them while you get behind them made for some fun and intense combat moments. Plus, hacking seems to be the only way I could kill shielded enemies as none of my weapons could penetrate the shield.
In saying that, the strategic gameplay is somewhat hampered by the lack of an in-game map. Navigating the labyrinthine levels can be frustrating at times as sometimes there was a distant waypoint at the top of the screen, but mostly there wasn’t. This was ok in tight corridors which had linear paths, but in the more open areas it wasn’t always clear which direction to head next. Occasionally there will be some written dialogue between characters in the top right of the screen and the text size for this was quite small and difficult to read at times, particularly in combat. This made it difficult to remember where I was headed and in the more open areas, meant I circled and backtracked often.
Despite the navigational challenges, SlavicPunk: Oldtimer actively encourages exploration. Hidden chests containing valuable health packs, ammo, and sometimes even new weapons are scattered throughout the levels, rewarding players who take the time to venture off the beaten path. Upgrades for weapons, shields and energy can be purchased from shops you come across with currency looted off bad guys.
The isometric perspective provides a nostalgic, classic feel, allowing me to stop regularly and appreciate the intricate details of the cyberpunk world, holograms and all. The environments, while not bursting with blinding neon, are rich with detail and atmosphere, hinting at a deeper lore. However, it’s the soundtrack that raises the heartbeat, particularly in fights with large numbers of enemy units. The pulse-pounding electronic music elevates every encounter, transforming what could be a standard firefight into an adrenaline-fueled experience.
Overall, SlavicPunk: Oldtimer is a largely enjoyable cyberpunk isometric shooter, but could have been much better. The engaging combat, deep hacking mechanics, and atmospheric soundtrack are its strongest assets. However, the lack of a map, infrequent voice acting in-game and no voice acting in cutscenes held it back from reaching its full potential. Despite these shortcomings, the game’s unique blend of Slavic cyberpunk aesthetics and strategic gameplay is well worth experiencing for yourself if you are in the mood for this type of game.
This review utilised an Xbox key provided by Gaming Factory and SlavicPunk: Oldtimer is available now on Steam, GOG, Xbox and PlayStation.
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