Ultrakill

Ultrakill is a fast-paced, retro-style first-person shooter. It blends the movement-heavy gunplay of classic 1990s shooters like Quake with modern design elements from games such as Doom (2016), as well as combo systems borrowed from action games like Devil May Cry.

Set in a version of Hell inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy, Ultrakill takes place after the extinction of humanity. Machines powered by blood have begun descending into the depths of Hell in search of fuel. The player controls a combat machine known as V1, whose only directive is to survive, destroy, and collect blood to sustain itself. This setup is established immediately and remains the game’s driving force.

Gameplay centers on speed, aggression, and creativity. Players are encouraged to stay constantly in motion, using dashes, wall jumps, and sliding mechanics to avoid damage while eliminating large waves of enemies. Combat rewards high-skill execution and stylish play. Rather than relying on traditional health pickups, the player regains health by bathing in enemy blood, which sprays from damaged foes. This mechanic reinforces close-quarters combat and rewards risky, aggressive tactics.

A core feature of the game is its style ranking system, similar to those found in character action games. Players earn style points for defeating enemies in creative and efficient ways, and each level is graded based on speed, kill count, and combo variety. Performing well not only increases healing speed but also unlocks points that can be used to purchase weapon upgrades between missions.

Weapons are designed to offer deep mechanical interaction. Each weapon has multiple fire modes and unique abilities. For example, players can toss a coin and shoot it in midair to ricochet a critical shot toward an enemy, or parry enemy attacks — even their own rockets — for enhanced damage effects. These mechanics create an environment where experimentation and skill expression are constantly encouraged. The level design evolves significantly as the game progresses. While early stages feature familiar “hell-industrial” environments and basic enemies, later levels introduce more varied visuals, enemy types, and complex combat scenarios. The game also contains an extensive amount of lore, delivered through hidden terminals and environmental storytelling.