On Oct 17th, the gaming community was abuzz with the official teaser release of Mongrels, a highly anticipated AAA first-person shooter (FPS) developed by Garage Studios. Set within the universe of the popular Shutdown franchise, Mongrels promises to expand on the dystopian world, bringing a fresh blend of fast-paced action and immersive storytelling.
The story of Mongrels is set in a bleak future, where AI-controlled forces have wreaked havoc, leaving humanity’s outposts in ruins. Players assume the role of bio-engineered warriors, known as Mongrels, tasked with avenging the destruction of their colonies and fighting back against the AI enemies.
Expanding the Shutdown Universe With Mongrels
The storyline of Mongrels is an extension of the Shutdown universe, which has garnered a strong following as a cross-platform action role-playing game (ARPG). In the world of Mongrels, AI forces have taken over, destroying human settlements and leaving few survivors. As a Mongrel, the player’s mission is one of vengeance—fighting against AI-controlled zombies and other hostile enemies to reclaim what’s left of humanity’s broken world.
The themes in Mongrels mirror those of resilience and survival, building on the lore established by Shutdown. The universe of Shutdown is known for its post-apocalyptic settings and complex stories where human beings are constantly at odds with rogue AI and other technological threats. Mongrels takes this a step further, allowing players to experience the story from a more personal and action-packed perspective.
While Shutdown offers an ARPG experience, combining fast-paced combat with role-playing elements, Mongrels leans more heavily into action, offering an FPS style of gameplay. It’s an opportunity for players to engage in intense first-person combat, while still enjoying the rich storytelling that fans of Shutdown have come to love. With Unreal Engine 5 powering the game, players can expect stunning visuals and immersive environments, making the post-apocalyptic world of Mongrels feel more alive.
The teaser highlighted key aspects of the story. The game also integrates a player driven economy where resources such as gear and weapons are essential to progression. Players can gather materials throughout the game, upgrading their bio-engineered characters and unlocking new abilities and equipment to strengthen their fight.
The Shutdown Game Universe and Beyond
For those unfamiliar with the Shutdown franchise, it’s a cross-platform action role-playing game (ARPG) that has built a strong community of players through its blend of fast-paced combat, RPG elements, and engaging narrative. Inspired by RPG classics like Diablo and Path of Exile, Shutdown challenges players to make quick, strategic decisions.
The gameplay features regular seasonal updates every four months, each introducing new storylines, maps, bosses, and mechanics that push players to adapt their strategies or face defeat. This continuous flow of fresh content keeps players engaged and ensures that the game remains dynamic and challenging.
Players in Shutdown have access to a variety of customizable characters and an array of weapons, enabling them to craft strategies suited to their playstyles. Blockchain elements are also integrated into the game’s ecosystem, with the $FUSE token offering players the ability to upgrade weapons, participate in in-game events, and influence the game’s governance.
Garage Studios, the developers behind both Mongrels and Shutdown, are no strangers to the gaming industry. With a team that includes veterans from Disney, Pixar, and Ubisoft, they bring a wealth of experience to the table. Previous projects developed by Garage Studios have collectively generated over $50 million in EBITDA revenue, and their games have seen 2 million+ downloads.
