Neural Shock

Neural Shock is an action RPG and tower defense hybrid set in a dark science-fiction world. You play as a mercenary sent to infiltrate CyTech’s research facility, fight hostile clones and other creations, and stop the production of new clones. You build turrets and traps into the facility’s defenses while personally battling waves of enemies and developing your character and weapons.

Story

In 2304, the research corporation and defense manufacturer CyTech found a way to integrate artificial neural networks into humans, giving soldiers extraordinary abilities. After several generations of successful combat testing, one generation was altered further through changes to the subjects’ genetic composition. They began to mutate and rapidly evolve into different beings.

The new specimens became aggressive, turning against their creators. Seeing themselves as a superhuman race, they began making clones to gain control over humanity. In 2325, you join mercenaries from the private military contractor Armorion on a mission to enter CyTech’s main research facility, eliminate the rebelling specimens and end clone production. The specimens have dismantled the facility’s defense systems, but the defense network remains connected. You restore its defenses by placing turrets and traps in existing pods, then clear the facility sector by sector and hold off hostile specimens.

Build your character

Choose between the Sniper and Engineer classes. The Sniper is suited to more action and maneuvering, while the Engineer’s talent tree supports a more traditional tower defense approach. Each class has a special ability for dealing damage or managing crowds, which becomes available after you build up enough kills.

Experience raises your level and grants skill points to spend in the character skill tree on active and passive abilities. Each level also grants a point for the shared Trap & Turret skill tree, which unlocks traps and turrets. You can reallocate skill points at any time, and combine low- and high-tier weapons in different builds.

Defend the facility

Place turrets on fixed-position Turret Pods and set floor traps anywhere except on the pods. Turrets do not block enemies, so you cannot create mazes. Basic turrets fire in lines, while most advanced turrets automatically aim in 360 degrees. Traps and turrets have four upgrade levels, unlocked at specific skill levels.

You can choose from over 20 turrets and traps, and use weapons from four types: Physical, Small Arms, Heavy Weapons and Elemental. Missions also feature side objectives and challenges, while six mission modifiers let you adjust difficulty and experience rewards.

Missions and rewards

The game includes 42 missions, including the tutorial, with mission challenges and side objectives. Completing challenges can reward you with character armor and weapons. Chapter 2 adds 15 missions, along with new enemies, mini-bosses, a challenge mechanic and equipment rewards. The skill tree and trap and turret balance have also been overhauled.

Combat and enemies

You fight ferocious clones and other creatures created through immoral research. Enemies can be killed in different ways, including being shredded, electrocuted, burned or melted. As you learn how they fight, you can improve your character and weapons and take on the missions’ challenges.