Trepang2

{{Infobox video game

| title = Trepang2

| image = Trepang2 cover.jpg

| alt =

| caption =

| developer = Trepang Studios

| publisher = Team17

| designer = {{ubl|Wilson Chung|Jacob Andersson|Brandon Tran}}

| writer = {{ubl|Wilson Chung|Brandon Tran}}

| programmer = {{ubl|Wilson Chung|Jacob Andersson}}

| artist =

| composer = Brandon McKagan

| series =

| engine = Unreal Engine 4{{cite web|url=https://www.gamepressure.com/games/trepang2/z161c7|title=Trepang2|work=Gamepressure|access-date=2023-06-25|archive-date=2023-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625045532/https://www.gamepressure.com/games/trepang2/z161c7|url-status=live}}

| platforms = Windows
Xbox Series X/S
PlayStation 5

| released = {{unbulleted list|Windows|June 21, 2023|Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5|October 2, 2023}}

| genre = First-person shooter

| modes = Single-player

}}

Trepang2 (stylized Trepang²) is a first-person shooter video game designed by Trepang Studios and published by Team17 in June 2023.

Gameplay

The gameplay is similar to that of many mid-2000s first-person shooters.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/this-intense-bullet-time-filled-fps-is-a-glorious-tribute-to-fear-and-the-spirit-of-2000s-era-gaming/|title=This intense, bullet time-filled FPS is a glorious tribute to FEAR and the spirit of 2000s-era gaming|last=Bailes|first=Jon|work=PC Gamer|date=2023-06-25|access-date=2023-06-25|archive-date=2023-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625171814/https://www.pcgamer.com/this-intense-bullet-time-filled-fps-is-a-glorious-tribute-to-fear-and-the-spirit-of-2000s-era-gaming/|url-status=live}} Players control an amnesiac test subject who wakes up in a Horizon black-site. The protagonist is handcuffed and must rely on stealth at first, but players eventually must fight their way through enemies, both human and paranormal.{{cite web|url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/trepang2-review/|title=Trepang2 review – an ultra-violently good time|last=Cattanach|first=Finlay|work=VideoGamer.com|date=2023-06-19|access-date=2023-06-25|archive-date=2023-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625014656/https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/trepang2-review/|url-status=live}} During combat, players can slow down the action using a bullet time effect and can also turn invisible. Players are sometimes aided by allies.{{cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/reviews/trepang2-review|title=Trepang2 review - F.E.A.R incarnate?|last=Lane|first=Rick|work=TechRadar|date=2023-06-19|access-date=2023-06-24|archive-date=2023-06-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623212650/https://www.techradar.com/reviews/trepang2-review|url-status=live}}

Plot

Subject 106 is a prisoner of the Horizon corporation, a global business entity that wields a large number of military personnel while hiding inhumane experiments behind their doors. The game opens with him being saved by a mysterious figure later revealed to be "105". 105 leads the player character through the facility using glow sticks, killing a large number of guards in his wake. 106 is led to a security room where 105 has left a key for 106's handcuffs. 106 also shows experience with handling firearms. Fighting through the facility, they eventually escape and are greeted by friendly mercenaries known as Task Force 27.

Subject 106 fights with the task force to clear out several black sites, Horizon facilities that fell to their own test subjects, to obtain significant evidence to destroy the company. As he does this, he encounters several drones that warn him that there is more going on than just corporate espionage. 106 discovers that most of the real causes of Horizon's failings were due to cloned soldiers from Task Force 27 going rogue, eventually leading 106 to turn against his allies after they succeed in destroying Horizon.

After having a close battle against his successor, Subject 107, 106 destroys the Taskforce's base through its thermonuclear warhead, dying in the process as the device needs to be activated manually. Should the player obtain all the drones throughout the game, 106's consciousness is transferred to an unknown facility, being informed that his work is not over.

Development

Developer Trepang Studios is based in Vancouver, Canada.{{cite web|url=https://trepang2.com/press/index.php|title=Factsheet|work=Trepang Studios|access-date=2023-06-26|archive-date=2023-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626194227/https://trepang2.com/press/index.php|url-status=live}} Development started in 2016 as a hobby project to learn the Unreal Engine. The team grew from being a single person to four members after posting public demos. Stealth and bullet time were not originally part of the game's design. They were added later to balance the difficulty. Some of the enemy dialogue was also added to give players a fair chance to react to enemy tactics, such as flanking.{{cite web|url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/trepang2-interview-wilson-c-trepang-studios/|title=Trepang2 Dev on How They're Combining Modern Design with Furious Retro FPS Action|last=Beahm|first=Elijah|work=The Escapist|date=2020-06-17|access-date=2023-06-25|archive-date=2023-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625171814/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/trepang2-interview-wilson-c-trepang-studios/|url-status=live}} Team17 released it for Windows on June 21, 2023. Ports to the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 were released on October 2, 2023.

Reception

Trepang2 received positive reviews on Metacritic.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/trepang2/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Trepang2 (PC)|work=Metacritic|access-date=2023-06-25|archive-date=2023-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625045532/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/trepang2|url-status=live}} Video Gamer called it "an excellent ultra-violent shooter" and praised the combat, stealth, and story. TechRadar said it does not surpass F.E.A.R., which it was inspired by, but it "delivers stylish, bloody action".