John Wick Hex

John Wick Hex is a fast-paced, single-player strategy game. It is a timeline-based tactics title that adapts the stylized action of the John Wick film series into a strategic, moment-to-moment decision-making format. It blends elements of turn-based tactics and real-time strategy to recreate the choreography and planning behind Wick's iconic gun fu. The game serves as a narrative prequel to the film series. The plot follows John Wick in an earlier stage of his career, as he is drawn into a rescue mission to save Continental manager Winston and concierge Charon from the clutches of Hex, a rogue high-table operative seeking power and revenge. The story unfolds through animated comic-book style cutscenes between missions.

Players control John Wick on a hexagonal grid, progressing through a linear series of levels that each play out as tightly controlled combat scenarios. Time flows continuously but pauses after each player action or when an enemy appears. A timeline interface at the top of the screen displays the duration of every action, allowing players to predict enemy behavior and plan counters accordingly. Each move—whether firing a weapon, striking in melee, or evading—takes a specific amount of in-game time. Players must consider both distance and duration when engaging enemies, deciding whether to shoot, dodge, or perform a takedown based on how long it will take compared to the enemy's next move. Combat is further shaped by a Focus system, a resource required for actions like dodges, rolls, and takedowns. Focus can be replenished mid-fight, but enemy combatants can also use it, making some foes temporarily resistant to firearms until disoriented by melee attacks.

Levels are structured into chapters, each made up of several missions. Resources such as health and gear persist across these missions. Players can spend coins before each chapter to unlock bonuses or stash equipment. Weapons include pistols, rifles, and SMGs with different fire rates and ranges. After completing each level, players can view a real-time replay of their run through cinematic camera angles.

The game features a graphic noir aesthetic with flat-shaded environments and bold color schemes. Each chapter offers distinct environments—from neon-lit nightclubs to snowy exteriors. Beyond the story mode, it includes a score-based challenge system, encouraging players to replay chapters for faster times, more efficient kills, and less resource use. An alternate Expedited mode adds further pressure by limiting the time available for each decision. If a player exceeds the five-second window, enemies begin moving fractionally in real time, simulating the urgency of a real firefight.