“PROJECT TACHYON,” a rogue-lite shooting action game developed by the solo developer STUDIO N9, the same team behind “ARIA CHRONICLE,” has been officially announced.
Scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of 2024 on PC via Steam, the game revolves around battling across time to prevent an AI rebellion. According to the store page, Japanese voice and subtitles are anticipated to be supported.
STUDIO N9, the developer behind this game, is a South Korean indie developer renowned for their dungeon exploration RPG “ARIA CHRONICLE.” The announcement of “PROJECT TACHYON” initially came in August 2022, with previews featured at the CREST booth during Tokyo Game Show 2022.
Since then, CREST has merged with Cubist and SANETTY Produce, giving rise to a new entity known as HIKE, this joint venture will oversee the distribution of this game, mirroring their role with “ARIA CHRONICLE,” albeit under a new name, STUDIO N9’s previous title was well received, with a 79% rating on Steam from over 1,078 reviews.
PROJECT TACHYON presents a blend of shooting action and rogue-lite mechanics, embracing a run-and-gun playstyle. The Republic of Tamageria, the game’s setting, finds itself in a nuclear crisis sparked by the rebellion of the A.I. mainframe, Omega.
To prevent disaster, a clandestine operation is in motion, with the protagonist, Agent Sigma, journeying back in time to glimpse the future and then returning to the past to resolve the crisis.
Players navigate through dynamically shifting maps, encountering fresh challenges with each playthrough. In addition to typical battle arenas, maps showcase a variety of settings such as shops and events, leading up to showdowns with powerful bosses.
Players have the choice to face these bosses while carefully managing their health, with greater risks offering significant rewards.
Combat unfolds in a side-scrolling fashion across battle stages, with enemies mounting relentless assaults. Agent Sigma wields an array of firearms and melee weapons, discovering new armaments randomly within specific stages.
Equipping up to two weapons simultaneously, players can adapt their arsenal on the fly. While some foes unleash intricate bullet patterns, melee weapons offer a means to deflect enemy fire.
Furthermore, unique weapons boasting special effects, such as acid sprayers capable of diminishing enemy defenses, further diversify the combat experience.
After completing stages, players can enhance the protagonist Sigma through upgraded genes. With over 130 types of genes across nine different categories, certain combinations trigger synergistic effects and may make or break your playthrough.
However, acquiring enhanced genes also activates malignant genes, subjecting players to penalties until specific conditions are met.
Moreover, the game includes mechanics for unlocking and upgrading weapons through quest accomplishments. Unlocking weapons expands the variety available at the start of stages, while upgrading adds beneficial traits for combat, possibly serving as permanent upgrade feature shared between playthroughs.
Moreover, players have the ability to gather insights by viewing the future, aiding them in executing strategies in the present time. Neglected elements could potentially lead to substantial consequences down the line, echoing the butterfly effect.
The anticipation for PROJECT TACHYON appears to be nearing its end, especially considering that the game is a vast project developed by a single individual. The extended duration from announcement to release is understandable. I wish STUDIO N9 all the best as PROJECT TACHYON officially launches sometime in the fourth quarter of this year.
