Sprawl is a retro-FPS that's speaking my love language, and it just shadow dropped

Sprawl is speaking my language. Developer Maeth shadow-dropped its retro-inspired FPS on Steam and the Epic Games Store during the Future Games Show: Gamescom 2023 showcase. That means you can jump into this white-knuckle shooter right now, and get lost in a sprawling cyberpunk megalopolis while battling back swarms of troopers as you race to the Spire. 

Sprawl features some of my favorite first-person shooter components: Quake-like gameplay which demands lightning-fact reactions, enhanced acrobatic maneuvers which echo that of Titanfall, and a  F.E.A.R. style slow-motion metric to add a real cinematic flair to otherwise chaotic firefights. It's one hell of a combination, making Sprawl look like less of a love letter to the classics and more a revitalization of a lost artform. 

All that smart movement around the environment isn't just great for sharing clips with your friends – it's easy to look like a badass while wallrunning and rocket-jumping as bodies hit the floor around you – but an essential requirement for survival. Sprawl is designed to be a hardcore challenge, with movement necessary for quickly recovering your HP and finding more ammunition for the variety of hard-hitting weapons which adorn your arsenal. Stay static for too long and Sprawl won't hesitate to punish you for it, which is just how it should be.

With its minimalistic visual style and banging original soundtrack, I know I'll be running right into Sprawl once the Future Games Show draws to a close. Be sure to find it at the Epic Games Store or dive into the action via Steam following the game's launch on August 23, 2023.

If you’re looking for more excellent games from today's Future Games Show, have a look at our official Steam page.

Josh West
Editor-in-Chief, GamesRadar+

Josh West is the Editor-in-Chief of GamesRadar+. He has over 15 years experience in online and print journalism, and holds a BA (Hons) in Journalism and Feature Writing. Prior to starting his current position, Josh has served as GR+'s Features Editor and Deputy Editor of games™ magazine, and has freelanced for numerous publications including 3D Artist, Edge magazine, iCreate, Metal Hammer, Play, Retro Gamer, and SFX. Additionally, he has appeared on the BBC and ITV to provide expert comment, written for Scholastic books, edited a book for Hachette, and worked as the Assistant Producer of the Future Games Show. In his spare time, Josh likes to play bass guitar and video games. Years ago, he was in a few movies and TV shows that you've definitely seen but will never be able to spot him in.