The cyberpunk subgenre is one that has been regularly explored in video games. Immersive sim classics like System Shock and Deus Ex have successfully created intricate worlds for players to lose themselves in, while recent big budget effort Cyberpunk 2077 introduces technological nightmares in more ways than one. The latest game to tap into the subgenre is Foreclosed from developer Antab Studio.
Foreclosed is the story of Evan Kapnos, a man whose identity has recently been taken away after the mysterious closure of his employer. The world of Foreclosed sees people intrinsically tied to the companies that own their very identity, and if Kapnos does not find a way to resolve this issue, at best he will be auctioned off and at worst find himself unnecessary to the city around him. Luckily, there is some experimental tech implants that can help him force out answers from those involved.
Immediately, the visuals of Foreclosed stand out. The game emulates the look and feel of comic books, thanks to its cel shaded characters, pulpy filters, sound effects appearing on screen, and the seamless introduction and animation of comic book panels. It feels similar in style to XIII, and is considerably better executed than the beloved first-person shooter's recent remake.
It's an art style that works well, and thankfully Foreclosed has enough creativity to stand out from more obvious comparisons to games like Borderlands. In particular, Foreclosed's vivid palette is a bold but successful choice, with a considerably brighter feel than a lot of cyberpunk games, eschewing the trope of grey and neon and instead throwing in pastels and bold primaries. The game still has its darker moments, but it's far from a dingy affair.
Foreclosed is also a game that understands the thematic requirements of a successful cyberpunk story. The plot covers unethical business practices, the use of technology in the suppression of the public (in this case implants and blockchain), and how business and government interests can intertwine in a meat grinder for civil rights. Foreclosed's world has a population valued only on their capital worth, and those who fall outside of that system are barely considered human.
Unfortunately the individual plot points cannot quite capitalize on the intriguing world that Antab Studio has created. The player is thrown into crisis and combat without much understanding of how day-to-day life operates, and this lack of contextual understanding is never really overcome. Kapnos also is not a particularly engaging protagonist, with a cheesy voiceover that makes him come across as Max Payne-lite with less of the drive.
Gameplay, too, is something of a mixed bag. Although a fair amount of Foreclosed revolves around combat, there are a variety of ideas that are not always fully implemented. The player will hack doors and CCTV cameras, leading to moments similar to Watch Dogs. Other powers can be used via QTEs, while eventually telekinesis is unlocked leading to an extra dimension to combat that feels similar to Control, a comparison compounded by a gun that can be customized in a similar way to Remedy's shooter.
The combat itself feels quite floaty, and is not as tactile as it probably should be with a lack of weight behind shots, while weak AI means that shootouts can become a war of attrition. The mix-and-match setup of power ups and gun mods means that these issues are sometimes overcome, although the player may find that they settle with a permanent loadout of auto aim and rapid fire to make sure Kapnos isn't overpowered.
Overall, Foreclosed is a good game with great moments and some awkward caveats. It's a visually compelling experience, with an interesting game world and some strong gameplay ideas, but its occasionally simplistic gameplay and middling story hold Foreclosed back. With an extremely abrupt ending, it's something that will be enjoyed but unlikely to live long in the memory.
Foreclosed releases today, 12 August 2021 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. Screen Rant was provided with a PS5 download code for the purposes of this review.