Salvation

"No hope. No chances of safety. In a world where there are no rules, what will you do?"

Salvation is an upcoming open-world survival horror video game, developed and published by OnyxWare exclusively for the Xbox One.

General
Salvation has an open-world format and functions as a survival horror game mixed with elements of action RPGs, stealth and adventure games. In the game, the player takes control of a scientist named Matthew Raynor who is skilled in various fields ranging from surviving in rough conditions to weapons. Proficient in combat, Matthew is capable of defending himself easily from the threats he faces in the world. This allows for a dynamic gameplay experience as Matthew's training permits him to use anything at his disposal to complete objectives. For example, Matthew's experience as a scientist allows him to create offensive or defensive weapons with certain chemicals and ingredients he finds during his travels.

Stealth
Another primary factor of the game is stealth. Sometimes, Matthew will be required to bypass enemies and areas where the direct approach would be suicide. Stealth sections of the game were paid much attention to to make the atmosphere more realistic. For example, not two enemies are alike and will have different qualities based on the situation they are in. Specific enemies have their own patrol patterns, particular reactions to events (an enemy may be more cowardly than most and may be more on edge if something peculiar is noticed by them), cooperate with one another and may even have difficulties staying focused if they are exhausted.

Situational/Subject Analysis Module (S.A.M.)
A notable feature in the game is the Situational/Subject Analysis Module, which serves as a means of recording information, learning about the environment through logs, and even the studying of individuals. This module was created by Matthew Raynor and can be used by the player to find out more about objects, get hints, and so on. Similarities include the Detective Mode feature in the Batman: Arkham series, the ARI glasses from Heavy Rain, and the Smart Vision augmentation in Deus Ex: Human Revolution.



Choices and Morality
Throughout Salvation, Matthew is presented with decisions that he must make in order to progress. These decisions directly affect how the story advances and how everything is wrapped up in the finale. Certain decisions can also change Matthew's sense of morality, making him into a beacon of human principles or an absolute fiend.

Healing and injuries
Throughout the game, Matthew will become injured in many ways and will require proper healing. Sometimes he may break a bone or suffer a burn, in which each specific injury would need its own form of treatment. The most basic form of healing is a medkit, which is capable of instantly nurturing any injuries. However, broken bones require time to heal and if the break is minor, the player has the option of physically setting the bone or putting it back in place at the expense of minor health loss.

If Matthew is shot, the player can use forceps or tweezers to remove the bullets. They can also clean up the wound and dress it propoerly. If the player is inadequate with healing Matthew, they will suffer major setbacks such as impaired movement, limited capability of fighting, increased hunger and thirst, and so on.

Hunger and thirst
In Salvation, Matthew must sustain himself with nurtrients to survive longer in Gemini. Matthew's hunger and thirst are in the form of a meter which can be checked in the status screen. Matthew can eat and drink anything just so long as it is clean enough to consume. If it isn't, Matthew can suffer consequences such as illness, which can greatly impede how he functions. Matthew can also suffer consequences if he is starving or too thirsty.

Setting
The game takes place in 2064 and is set in a city-state known as Gemini: one of the many remaining bastions of human survival left on Earth.

Backtory
In a point of divergence that occurs in the 1980s, the Cold War continues between the United States and the Soviet Union. Following several proxy wars and militant propoganda between the two countries, the Soviet Union unleashes a biological weapon in 2019 against the United States: a gas released in aerosol form that would cripple the major organs of anyone infected. However, the weapon somehow changes its composition. The gas then began to alter the DNA of infected individuals, who mutated into vicious creatures as a result. Following several decades of fighting and bloodshed, 47% of mankind is infected, leaving the survivors to fend for themselves in a post-civilization world. The infected would come to be called "scions" by most of those who survived the initial outbreak, and would continue to diversify in appearance, becoming freaks of nature and even deadlier with time. The survivors on the other hand would congregate in hubs later dubbed "sanctuaries" in which many survivors stayed for various purpose such as living a better life, contributing to the revitalization of future generations or the finding of a cure against the Scions.

Storyline
The game begins when a Scion is captured by three survivors and taken back to a sanctuary, where several scientists examine it and manage to discover that the Scion has a rare gene that allows it to evolve at will. One of the scientists, named Matthew Raynor, analyzes the gene in detail and comes to the conclusion that if enough focus can be put into compiling a form of enzyme, the scientists can apply the enzyme to the gene and engineer it to reverse its effects, essentially devolving a Scion back to normal and curing it. After tracing the Scion's origination in a city named Gemini several miles away, Matthew volunteers to travel there and develop the enzyme (which he gave the name "Phanes", after the Greek god of procreation and life generation).

Arriving at the boundaries of Gemini, Matthew finds that the primary entrance to the city is cordoned off by what looks like advanced military personnel. At this moment, the player is presented with their first choice: blast their way in or sneak into the city a different way. If the player chooses to blast their way inside, Matthew will kill the soldiers and get inside the city before reinforcements arrive. If the player chooses to sneak into the city a different way, Matthew will find a hole in one of the city walls and use it to get into an abandoned part of the city. Either way, Matthew will get inside and eventually find a building that is in good-enough condition and establishes a laboratory there.

Characters

 * Matthew Raynor: A scientist that is tasked with assembling the prototype for a cure against the Scions and the main protagonist.
 * Silas Alabaster: The commander of the Gemini regiment of ARIOCH and the main antagonist.

Possible choices
As stated before, the game will present many opportunities for the player to make a decision and change the outcome of situations and even the story itself. The following are all the possible choices the player can make:

Story-based

 * Enter Gemini: Matthew will find himself standing before the main entrance to Gemini, which is heavily guarded by what seems to be armed militia members. The player has the option of:
 * Using brute force to get their way inside.
 * Finding a more practical means of getting into the city. After some exploring, the player will find a hole that was left by artillery and sneak through.

Random events

 * Mugging: Matthew will sometimes be the witness of a mugging. The player can:
 * Stop the mugger.
 * Allow the mugger to flee.
 * Rape: Matthew may come across a woman targeted by a rapist. The player can:
 * Intervene.
 * Ignore it.
 * Assassination: At times, Matthew may spot an individual preparing to kill another by surprise. The player can:
 * Warn the target.
 * Save the target.
 * Allow the target to be killed.
 * Public Execution: ARIOCH soldiers will often execute innocent people in full view of the public. The player can:
 * Stop the soldiers.
 * Let the execution happen.

Handguns

 * Glock 29: The tried and true safety appliance common among those wanting to breathe longer. Can be found pretty much anywhere and on anyone. As such, it isn't meant for going up against rhinos, but it is enough to defend yourself from anyone looking to cause trouble on the streets of Gemini.

Revolvers

 * S&W M29: You feelin' lucky punk? The other guy didn't. The Model 29 revolver is exceptionally powerful and can bring down pretty much anyone looking to give you a hard time.
 * S&W Ladysmith: A snub-nosed revolver that can take down your average jerk or Scion given if you're close enough. The Ladysmith wasn't made for long-range cap-busting.

Improvised

 * Metal pipe: A blunt, metal pipe. Pure and simple.
 * Pipe bomb: A well-known type of IED, the pipe bomb has a five-second timer and a moderate radius. Effective for clearing out tough clusters of enemies or causing massive chaos.
 * Loose change: A humble type of weapon, loose change can be used offensively or defensively depending on the situation. Loose change can be used to confuse an enemy or temporarily stun him, giving you ample time to attack. Loose change can also serve as a means of distracting enemies.
 * Smoke ball: A type of smoke bomb that can be created with different ingredients found in the environment. A smoke ball can be used to generate confusion among a group of enemies or make an escape easier.
 * Shard of glass: A piece of broken glass that is rather sharp. You can see where this is going.
 * Baseball bat: An instrument used in one of the old American pasttimes. Luckily enough, it also makes for a nice brain-jumbler.
 * Rope: An invention that is more handy than a Scion with multiple appendages, the rope can be applied as a makeshift whip or tripwire. It can also be used as a cheap garotte. Force may be necessary (duh).

Achievements

 * No Greetings Necessary: Welcome to Gemini.
 * Where No Man Has Gone Before: Navigate the entire city of Gemini and discover all prominent locations.
 * Snatcher of Snatchers: Foil 50 muggings.
 * Exterminate This: Prevent 75 executions.
 * Braver: Complete all possible sidequests.
 * They All Fall Down: Cause 100 enemies to plummet to their deaths.
 * Calling Dr. Raynor: Heal every possible ailment or injury you could get.
 * Medium Rare: Roast 100 Scions.
 * Hail Raynor: Kill 100 enemies with blindfire tactics.