As the AAA gaming industry hurtles toward its inevitable collapse due to its commitment towards radical ideologies. The mainstream gaming landscape has become overrun by political activists and feminists determined to create a sterile, “safe” medium stripped of any themes or elements they deem problematic. Backed by financial powerhouses like BlackRock and The Vanguard Group, these efforts prioritize agendas over everything else.
In response, there is a growing demand for games that focus on fun, quality, and enjoyment, free from divisive inclusivity pandering and agenda-driven narratives.
While major brands continue to churn out lackluster commercial failures, 2024 proved to be a breakout year for indie developers. Titles like Palworld and Black Myth: Wukong surpassed ten million copies sold globally while reputable brands from EA to Sony fail spectacularly. Closing out the year, we also saw the release of MiSide, a charming “horror” experience where players must escape the digital grasp of a virtual yandere girlfriend.
Now, as the new year begins, a hardcore shooter inspired by retro classics like Doom and Wolfenstein 3D is making waves on Steam.
In 2020, solo Japanese developer Doekuramori released The Citadel, a hardcore first-person shooter featuring anime-inspired 2.5D retro graphics, available on Steam for $15 USD.
Players stepped into the role of defenders of the Citadel, a mechanical fortress serving as humanity’s final stand against an apocalyptic threat. The game was met with acclaim, achieving a “very positive” rating on Steam with a 94% approval score from approximately 1,200 reviews.
Now, on January 3, 2025, its sequel, Beyond Citadel, has launched, and early feedback suggests it’s already surpassing the success of its predecessor.
With its striking anime-inspired female protagonist, retro-styled 2.5D graphics, and realistic gunplay, Beyond Citadel has quickly ascended to the top of Steam’s “New & Trending” charts. Boasting an impressive 98% positive rating from over 180 reviews, the game is already making waves among fans of the genre.
Beyond Citadel picks up where its predecessor left off. The Citadel has fallen, leaving humanity teetering on the edge of extinction. A mysterious signal emanating from the fortress ruins offers a faint glimmer of hope, or perhaps a new threat.
Players take on the role of martyrs, guided by seven angels, embarking on a dangerous mission to investigate the signal. Along the way, they face off against the “trumpeters of the apocalypse,” formidable foes intent on ushering in the end of the world.
To save humanity, players must defeat these powerful enemies, uncover the truth behind the signal, and prevent ultimate annihilation.
The sequel expands on the original’s gameplay with a stronger emphasis on realism. Weapons can jam or break, pushing players to plan their actions carefully. The diverse arsenal spans from black powder firearms to advanced energy weapons, each offering distinct handling and strategic possibilities.
While maintaining its retro-inspired aesthetic, the game blends anime-style character designs with gritty, dystopian backdrops, enhanced by updated visual effects that give it a modern edge. Weapons roar and enemies scream, amplifying the chaotic intensity of combat. With improved AI and refined mechanics, enemies are now smarter and more challenging, raising the stakes for players.
The game is packed with collectibles, hidden lore entries, and suggestive photographs that reward thorough exploration. A newly introduced hub area, complete with NPCs to interact with for conversations or arsenal upgrades, adds a sense of vibrancy and depth to Beyond Citadel.
What stands out most is how the game infuses realism into what is often classified as a “boomer shooter,” largely inspired by the original DOOM. The gore and brutality are unapologetically visceral, you can blow helmets off enemies, sever limbs, dismember, and even disembowel them.
The same level of carnage applies to you, making every encounter feel raw, intense, and unrelentingly brutal.
All of this, however, is overshadowed by one simple yet impactful detail: when you aim your crosshairs downward, you can see your character’s own feet. This small touch adds a surprising amount of immersion and enjoyment, resonating with gamers who appreciate such attention to detail.
So it’s no wonder why, just one day after its release, Beyond Citadel has already amassed over 180 reviews on Steam with an impressive 98% of them being positive. But those numbers alone don’t tell the whole story.
In terms of peak player counts, the game has surpassed 770 players, a remarkable feat for a passion project created by a solo Japanese developer with no marketing beyond word of mouth and the reputation built from their previous title.
For comparison, The Citadel, released in 2020, peaked at just 79 players at launch. However, the release of Beyond Citadel has brought renewed attention to the original game, boosting its peak player count to 111, an achievement made possible by the growing interest in the series and the developer’s rising credibility.
To the average person, these numbers might seem insignificant, but for Doekuramori, they hold tremendous meaning. It’s evident that the games industry isn’t about producing profitable products, video games were originally designed as passion projects which just so coincidentally resonated with players.
Unlike the cookie-cutter AAA titles that focus solely on profit and boast massive budgets in the hundreds of millions, The Citadel and its sequel Beyond Citadel are proof that a single developer’s vision can truly thrive.
These games are doing remarkably well for Doekuramori, proving that there’s a growing community of players who connect with their works. The success of both titles has given the developer the opportunity to expand, with potential for more ambitious projects down the line.
The rise of indie games like these demonstrates that there’s still room for creativity and originality in a market saturated by corporate giants. What The Citadel and Beyond Citadel have shown is that passion, dedication, and a unique vision can still carve out space even within today’s industry landscape.
As word of mouth spreads and more gamers discover the series, it’s becoming clear that Doekuramori isn’t just making a game, they’re building a community that values the dedication and authenticity woven into every pixel and line of code. With the success of Beyond Citadel, the future looks incredibly promising for this solo developer.
It serves as a powerful reminder that the true spirit of gaming, indie titles born from passion, not profit or virtue signaling remains just as vibrant today as it did in the past.
While the AAA industry teeters on the brink of collapse, those who create for the love of the craft, not the bottom line, are poised to flourish. As name-brand publishers falter or shutter their development studios, it will be the passionate indie developers like Doekuramori who continue to lead the charge.
