The first-person shooter Selaco cites not only F.E.A.R, but also Doom and Quake as inspiration and wants to show off with a destructible environment and clever AI.
Glass windows shatter, bullets fly back and forth, everything burns and explosions shake the environment. We dart from cover to cover and mow down enemies left and right with targeted bursts of fire – this is Selaco. You can currently try out the first-person shooter as a free demo on (Steam). We played it for you and had a lot of fun.
Small shooter with big role models
The origin of Selaco lies in a total conversion of the original Doom, which was supposed to turn the shooter into something more similar to the F.E.A.R. games. However, as the project grew larger and more costly, it was finally decided to restart development. They gave the game a completely new story and Selaco was born.
With its clever AI and destructible environment, the shooter is still supposed to be reminiscent of F.E.A.R., but it also borrows gameplay elements from classic shooters like Doom (whose source code is also used) and Quake. In addition, there are more modern features, such as the ability to modify weapons. You can see what Selaco looks like in action in the gameplay trailer:
It is not yet known when Selaco will finally be released, the developers only jokingly state a release in the year 2255.
Action fireworks with lots of story
Despite its ageing technical framework, Selaco plays really well. We move like a greyhound on speed through the rooms of an underground bunker, slide under obstacles and engage in short, intense firefights with enemy soldiers. In the demo we were able to use a pistol, an assault rifle and a shotgun, but in the finished game there will be more than 10 weapons.
We can use the high movement speed to quickly change our position, but we can also slide into enemies and kick them away. But we always have to be careful with all this: Because our opponents dish out pretty hard and work together. If we stay too long in one position, they use grenades to smoke us out or flank us.
That”s why we quickly die if we make a mistake or are too aggressive. Sometimes it”s useful to knock over props and use them as cover – a pretty cool feature. We should also listen to what the soldiers are saying, so we can get clues about their tactics.
Selaco looks really snazzy despite 2D enemies and pixel optics, helped by the extensive particle effects and destructible environment. But the shooter wants to offer more than just action. In the finished game, we can expect a story campaign in three acts, which will revolve around the main character Dawn and the history of the outpost Selaco.
The latter is actually a refuge and safe haven for humanity, which had to flee to Mars after the destruction of Earth. But behind the shiny façade of Selaco lies a dark secret. And so one day mysterious invaders attack the underground city. We have to repel the invasion and get to the bottom of Selaco”s origins.
In the demo, however, not much of the story can be seen yet. The developers emphasise that most of the story elements will only appear in the finished game. But at least we already find some documents that give us background information about Selaco apart from the fighting. In addition, it is also worth exploring the map in detail to find secrets with valuable items and weapons.
Editor”s conclusion
If you like playing single player shooters, then I can only advise you to try out the free demo of Selaco. It”s quick to download and, with about an hour”s playtime, gives you a good idea of whether you might like the shooter. Just don”t expect a AAA product with super-realistic graphics.
This is also a good opportunity to put the game”s retro label, which is off-putting for many, to the test. Of course, you can tell that Selaco is based on an old engine. Nevertheless, the shooter looks pretty good and also plays really pleasantly. The sci-fi style may not be exceptional, but it is nice to look at. The destructible environments and particle effects also create a real battlefield atmosphere.
Finally, the promise of an original story around main character Dawn makes me even more curious about Selaco. All in all, I look forward to hearing more about Selaco and playing it – hopefully before 2255.
