Esse Proxy

Esse Proxy is a fast-paced cyberpunk action shooter set in a dystopian future where players assume the roles of three distinct characters, each with unique abilities, playstyles, and storylines. The game’s top-down perspective and 2D scrolling visuals immerse players in a dark sci-fi world filled with brutal combat, rogue-like elements, and interconnected narratives. As they battle through procedurally generated levels, players must uncover the secrets of the enigmatic ‘Esse Proxy’ while mastering strategic combat and adapting to ever-changing challenges to achieve the true ending.

Esse Proxy: Review

Introduction

In the saturated landscape of cyberpunk shooters, Esse Proxy emerges as a diamond in the rough—a brutally stylish, top-down tour de force that marries Hotline Miami-esque intensity with a dystopian narrative rife with existential dread. Developed by the indie studio FromSouth Games and released in July 2022, this 3D twin-stick shooter challenges players to survive in a world where death is not an endpoint but a data point. Its legacy lies in its uncompromising difficulty, intricate lore, and the audacity of its singular vision. This review argues that Esse Proxy transcends its indie roots by delivering a masterclass in atmospheric tension, strategic combat, and world-building, even as it stumbles under the weight of its own ambition.

Development History & Context

Esse Proxy is the brainchild of FromSouth Games, a primarily solo endeavor led by developer Alexarg (Alexis Salomon), with contributions from Ariel Galiano. Development commenced around 2020, with an alpha build released in 2021, and the full title launched on Steam for Windows in July 2022. The game was built using Unreal Engine 4—a choice that enabled rich 3D environments despite the top-down perspective. Alexarg’s vision was clear: to create a punishing yet rewarding experience inspired by the rhythm-based combat of Hotline Miami, set in a cyberpunk dystopia.

The development landscape of 2022 was dominated by AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077’s post-launch resurgence, yet Esse Proxy carved its niche by doubling down on indie ethos: accessibility, creativity, and raw mechanical challenge. Constraints included limited resources (a team of 7 credited) and the need to balance stylistic flair with functional gameplay. Remarkably, FromSouth Games incorporated community feedback during alpha testing, refining difficulty curves and melee mechanics—proof of its commitment to player-centric design. This context explains the game’s dichotomy: polished yet occasionally unpolished, ambitious yet lean.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

At its core, Esse Proxy explores the ethics of digital immortality in a dystopian future. Corporations like “CorpoREAL” have weaponized “Esse” technology, preserving human consciousness in a network called “Mother” after death. This creates a society where life is reduced to a laborious grind to afford “dumps” of one’s memories—a clear nod to Black Mirror: San Junipero but filtered through a lens of corporate oppression.

The narrative unfolds through three playable characters—Idris, Faceless, and H0-P2—each representing facets of rebellion:
– Idris: A corporate enforcer seeking redemption, armed with heavy weaponry.
– Faceless: An android grappling with sentience, using stealth and agility.
– H0-P2: A hacker navigating digital and physical threats, with tech-based abilities.

Their intertwined stories are revealed through environmental storytelling (e.g., terminals in military bases, concentration camps) and cryptic dialogues. Key themes include dehumanization (androids as disposable labor), memory as currency, and the cyclical nature of violence. The true ending—achieved by locating all 7 computers and interacting with the final terminal weaponless—symbolizes breaking free from deterministic systems. However, the plot’s reliance on obscure lore objects (9 in total) and minimal exposition alienates some players, leaving the narrative’s emotional weight underbaked.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Esse Proxy’s gameplay is a relentless ballet of precision and punishment. The core loop emphasizes one-hit-kill combat: players and enemies die in a single shot, demanding mastery of movement, timing, and weapon switching. Each character’s playstyle diverges sharply:
– Idris thrives in close-quarters with shotguns but struggles with open spaces.
– Faceless uses sprinting and environmental takedowns for silent kills.
– H0-P2 relies on hacking tools and long-rifle accuracy.

Combat is strategic yet unforgiving. Enemies exhibit sharp AI, flanking tactics, and contextual reactions, turning rooms into deadly puzzles. Boss fights—like the helicopter assault or the Vulkan mech duel—scale this intensity, requiring pattern recognition and resource management. Weapon variety is robust, though some guns feel underpowered compared to others.

The progression system is minimalist: no skill trees, only weapon pickups and character unlocks. A notable innovation is the stealth takedown mechanic, rewarding patience for aggressive players. However, flaws persist:
– A known bug in the “Augmentations Clinic Basement” prevents S-rank completion.
– Melee combat feels clunky despite post-launch tweaks.
– UI elements (e.g., stats screens) remain rudimentary.

Yet these issues are forgivable given the game’s design philosophy: “kill or die, learn and repeat.” The difficulty curve, while steep, is fair, each death a lesson in spatial awareness and enemy behavior.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Esse Proxy’s dystopian world is a character in itself. Levels are meticulously handcrafted, ranging from grimy military hangars to neon-drenched nightclubs, each dripping with environmental storytelling. The “Android Concentration Camp” and “Body Disposal Facility” evoke visceral critiques of authoritarianism, while the “Nightclub” level contrasts excess with systemic decay.

Artistically, the game leans into cyberpunk excess. Neon-lit rain-soaked streets, holographic billboards, and detailed character models create a lived-in, oppressive atmosphere. Gore is rendered with brutal clarity, making each kill a tactile, bloody spectacle. The top-down perspective maximizes spatial awareness, though camera angles can occasionally obscure threats.

Sound design elevates the experience. The soundtrack, by Karl Casey (of Battle Tendency fame) and White Bat Audio, blends synthwave with industrial beats, syncing dynamically to combat tempo. Sound effects—from the crack of a rifle to the thud of a takedown—anchor the player to the moment. Voice acting, though sparse, uses distortion and echo to enhance paranoia.

Reception & Legacy

Esse Proxy launched with mixed-to-positive reception. On Steam, it holds a “Mostly Positive” rating (71% of 123 reviews), with players praising its “outrageously slick” style and “intense” gameplay (Kotaku, Alpha Beta Gamer). Critics echoed this, with GameSpace noting its “dynamic gameplay and beautiful artwork” but criticizing occasional frustration (70/100). Metacritic aggregated a score of 65, citing “inconsistent level design” (GameOver.gr: 60).

Commercially, the game found success as a budget title ($3.99 on Steam), with 139 reviews on Steambase. Its legacy is twofold:
1. Influence on Indie Shooters: Proved that small teams could deliver AAA-caliber mechanics. Twin-stick shooters like Hades and Vampire Survivors owe a debt to its difficulty design.
2. Niche Cult Status: Players celebrate its secret-hunting (e.g., the “Indie Dev” achievement, which reveals a hidden developer room) and true ending. However, its opaque narrative limits mainstream appeal.

Conclusion

Esse Proxy is a flawed masterpiece—a testament to the power of indie vision. It excels in its gameplay, art, and atmosphere, creating a cyberpunk world that feels both alien and terrifyingly familiar. While its narrative remains enigmatic and its difficulty borders on sadism, these imperfections are part of its charm. For players who thrive on challenge and style, it offers an unforgettable ride. For genre enthusiasts, it stands as a vital artifact in the evolution of top-down shooters, proving that the future of gaming is not just bigger, but bolder.

Verdict: A must-play for fans of Hotline Miami and cyberpunk, Esse Proxy is a diamond in the rough—imperfect, unpolished, and undeniably brilliant.