Cruelty Squad

Cruelty Squad
Developer(s)Consumer Softproducts
Publisher(s)Consumer Softproducts
EngineGodot
Platform(s)Windows
Release15 June 2021
Genre(s)First-person shooter, immersive sim
Mode(s)Single-player

Cruelty Squad is a 2021 tactical first-person shooter developed and published by Finnish[1] indie studio Consumer Softproducts, managed by artist Ville Kallio, through the Steam distribution platform. In the game, the player takes on the role of a biologically-augmented assassin employed by the titular wetwork security company, tasked with performing black operations for its host conglomerate.[2] The game is notable for its surreal, "sensorially aggressive"[3] aesthetic, inspired by low-poly 3D games from the mid-to-late 1990s, such as LSD: Dream Emulator and Super Mario 64.[4]

Cruelty Squad is described by the developer as "an immersive power fantasy simulator with tactical stealth elements",[5] and is often compared to late 1990s and early 2000s shooters such as Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six, Deus Ex, Perfect Dark, and Hitman: Codename 47.[2][3][6][7] The game's theming has been described as anti-capitalist, anti-corporate, and a satire on the gig economy.[2][8][9]

The game was released in early access on Steam on 4 January 2021, and was fully released on Steam on 15 June 2021.[10] Reviews were largely positive, with many reviewers appreciating the game's unique presentation, design, and combination of different mechanics and themes.

  1. ^ "Consumer Softproducts Oy (@CSoftproducts)". Twitter (Twitter profile with a location specified). Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2022. Helsinki, Finland.
  2. ^ a b c Davenport, James (July 2, 2021). "Cruelty Squad review". Review. PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on July 5, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference RPS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Kallio, Ville (August 19, 2021). Good, Christopher (ed.). "Artist of the Week: Ville Kallio". LVL3 (Interview). Interviewed by Good, Christopher. Archived from the original on August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  5. ^ Bruce-Jones, Henry (March 3, 2021). "Ville Kallio finds the violence in corporate infrastructure in Cruelty Squad". Fact Magazine. The Vinyl Factory. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Marshall, Cass (July 27, 2021). "Cruelty Squad is both brilliant and hard to love". Polygon. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Bloody was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference NME was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ "Cruelty Squad on Steam". Steam (Steam store page). Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2022. Release Date: 15 Jun, 2021 / Early Access Release Date: 4 Jan, 2021.