Prey Preview: A Suspenseful Sci-Fi Thriller with Surprising Gameplay
Bethesda and Arkane Studios’ Prey is shaping up to be a masterclass in suspense and emergent gameplay. Set to launch on May 5, this action-adventure title blends psychological tension with sci-fi horror, delivering an experience where danger lurks in every shadow.
A World Where Nothing Is as It Seems
At a recent preview event in San Francisco, I got hands-on with Prey—both its gripping opening and a mid-game segment. The game’s core theme? Deception. The black, inky aliens known as Mimics can disguise themselves as everyday objects, striking when least expected.
“Part of the fiction of Prey is not really believing what you see,” explains Richard Bare, the game’s lead designer. “The Mimics imitate objects organically—no scripting required. It’s all part of their behavior.”
The Opening: A Twist You Won’t See Coming
Image Credit: Giancarlo Valdes/GamesBeat
Your journey begins with a choice: play as male or female protagonist Morgan Yu. After waking up in a high-rise apartment, you’re whisked away to TranStar Corp for a routine test—until everything goes horribly wrong.
Key moments:
- A seemingly normal day unravels into a nightmare.
- The apartment is revealed as an elaborate simulation.
- The station’s true purpose—and your role in it—comes into question.
The Backstory: A Sci-Fi Epic with Alternate History
Image Credit: Bethesda
Prey unfolds in an alternate timeline where:
- JFK survives his assassination in 1963, accelerating space exploration.
- The Typhon, a hostile alien race, invades Earth.
- The U.S. and Soviet Union unite to build Talos I, a space station turned prison for the Typhon.
Years later, TranStar repurposes the station to study the aliens, developing Neuromods—devices that grant superhuman abilities by rewiring the brain.
Gameplay: Improvisation Is Key
Image Credit: Bethesda
Midway through the demo, I encountered the Gloo Gun, a versatile tool that:
- Freezes enemies in place.
- Creates makeshift platforms for traversal.
- Temporarily disables hazards like electrical arcs.
But resources are scarce. Running out of ammo forced me to improvise, using wrenches and environmental objects to survive.
Key Mechanics:
- Mimic Enemies: Unpredictable and deadly, requiring constant vigilance.
- Neuromods: Upgrade abilities like Repair to overcome obstacles.
- Emergent Solutions: Puzzles have multiple solutions—creativity is rewarded.
The Verdict: A Promising Blend of Suspense and Freedom
Image Credit: Arkane Studios/Bethesda
Prey excels in:
- Atmosphere: A haunting, immersive world where danger feels ever-present.
- Player Agency: Solve problems your way—no hand-holding.
- Replayability: Different approaches yield unique experiences.
While jumping into the mid-game segment felt disorienting, the core gameplay loop—explore, adapt, survive—proves deeply engaging. If Arkane Studios maintains this balance, Prey could be one of 2017’s standout titles.
Image Credit: Bethesda
Final Thought: With its blend of psychological horror and open-ended gameplay, Prey is poised to deliver a tense, unforgettable experience—just don’t trust anything you see.
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