Gameplay Reveal of Cyberpunk Shooter DEFECT Showcases Destruction, Mind Transfers, and a Mick Gordon Soundtrack

Emptyvessel Studios has unveiled the first gameplay for DEFECT — a dark, immersive cyberpunk shooter where players take on the roles of police operatives or gang members in a futuristic dystopia. According to game director Emanuel Palalic, the trailer shows just a small slice of what players can expect in the final release.

Each mission begins aboard a police transport ship, where players use their PDA to receive objectives and access inventory. Since DEFECT features no traditional HUD, tools like the PDA, scanners, and weapon screens are crucial for gathering information. Players can also gear up here — choosing weapons, ammunition, and gadgets such as drones, stealth walls, and scanners capable of seeing through walls.

The gameplay trailer highlights a mission infiltrating the territory of the Nodrog gang, whose members track players using surveillance systems. Players will be able to hack enemy cameras, use destructible environments to create cover, and even fill rooms with dust to obscure vision and escape detection.

One of the most unique mechanics shown is Body Snatch — the ability to transfer a fallen ally’s mind into an enemy’s body, effectively converting the opponent into a new member of your squad.

In DEFECT, health does not regenerate automatically. Players must locate medical stations with limited charges, often requiring teammates to provide cover while healing. Mission finales will vary — from defending a terminal and stealing data to escaping under fire or taking down gang leaders like Nodrog.

The trailer’s climax features a massive firefight set to an original track by the legendary Mick Gordon, complete with explosions, chaos, and full environmental destruction. It ends with a teaser of the player awakening as an enigmatic “Orchestrator”, another key figure in the world of DEFECT.

The developers plan to reveal co-op and single-player modes later, along with more details about the game’s world and its factions. DEFECT doesn’t yet have a release date, but the game’s Steam page is already live.

Earlier this week, it was also reported that the release of the cartoon-style shooter MOUSE: P.I. For Hire has been delayed.