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Rhinotales has released the first public demo of Critical Shift, a tactical RPG that combines turn based squad combat with real time exploration. Lasting around two hours, the demo introduces players to ICE-1, a secret research facility located beneath the Antarctic ice that stopped responding after sending an emergency distress call. The release was also accompanied by a new trailer showcasing the squad, combat mechanics and dangers hidden throughout the complex.

The investigation conducted by the squad reveals a situation far more serious than an abandoned laboratory, as a parasitic collective mind has taken control of the station's personnel while security systems hunt down anything they detect. Experiments conducted at the facility have also triggered anomalies capable of affecting time and space, turning the exploration of ICE-1 into a succession of unpredictable threats and situations in which every decision can change how an encounter unfolds.

Combat strategy relies on careful management of the squad, weapons and available resources, but the game expands these possibilities by allowing players to use noise, distractions and environmental elements to manipulate enemies. Traps can be prepared to lure opponents into dangerous situations, while different hostile forces can be turned against one another. This approach is designed to create scenarios in which there is rarely an obvious solution, requiring players to plan and adapt throughout their exploration of the facility.

The demo features three areas of ICE-1, including the surface, administrative offices and storage facility, giving players an introduction to the environments, mysteries and dangers found throughout the complex. The version also includes six of the 11 planned agents, each with distinct characteristics and tactical roles. Bear serves as the squad's experienced leader, Diver is a scientist specializing in biological hazards, Bishop possesses occult knowledge, Goblin combines his skills as a sniper with a fondness for explosives, Rook works as a hacker and engineer, while Saint is a physics prodigy and chess expert.

Squad composition becomes strategically important as players decide which agents to bring into each situation, taking advantage of their individual abilities during combat and exploration. The variety of roles also ties into the discovery of ICE-1's secrets, making the choice of team members an integral part of progression rather than simply an aesthetic decision.

The paranormal science fiction story was developed in collaboration with Guiltythree, author of the web novel Shadow Slave, and follows the characters' efforts to understand the events behind the catastrophe that struck the facility. As new information comes to light, twists and unstable alliances raise questions about the characters' intentions and the true nature of the threat facing the squad.

The full game is planned to offer more than 40 hours of tactical combat, exploration and narrative driven gameplay across more than 30 levels, alongside 11 playable characters, different customization options, weapon progression and multiple enemies and factions. Critical Shift is scheduled to launch on PC in 2027, while console versions are currently being planned.