Cepheus Protocol

[Jarhead0331]

Been playing this neat little early access title on Steam. It's presently on sale for only $14.99.

You're part of an emergency response team sent to "Treasure Island" near San Francisco to help contain and stop a viral (zombie) outbreak. You play the role of the Captain in charge who is represented as a unit on the map. You have to protect her. You set up various bases at control points across the map and deploy teams of soldiers, scientists, engineers and medics. Your goal is to track down and eliminate "Patient Zero" who is spreading the outbreak across the island. You can keep track of the number of infected and uninfected civilians on the map, so this creates some incentive to move faster in order to limit or contain the spread.

Its still obviously in an early access state, but totally playable and fun. Check it out.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/979640/Cepheus_Protocol/

[JasonPratt]

Bought this myself yesterday after seeing a demo on YT. Has good Act of War vibes, but I haven't gotten to it yet. (Started working on Farmer's Dynasty last evening.)

[al_infierno]

Seems pretty cool.  I always liked the idea of a fully fleshed out tactical zombie containment simulator where you're setting up roadblocks on important junctions, quarantining city zones, and dropping "containment" bombs while trying to keep squaddies from getting overwhelmed and munched on.

This looks like it'll scratch that general itch, but I do wonder how much the "player character" mechanics will distract from the overall strategic/tactical decision making.

[Jarhead0331]

Seems pretty cool.  I always liked the idea of a fully fleshed out tactical zombie containment simulator where you're setting up roadblocks on important junctions, quarantining city zones, and dropping "containment" bombs while trying to keep squaddies from getting overwhelmed and munched on.

This looks like it'll scratch that general itch, but I do wonder how much the "player character" mechanics will distract from the overall strategic/tactical decision making.

They don't distract at all. You can decide to leave her at you base and not bring her into the field.  However, she has some powerful perks, so bringing her along or deploying her to hotspots can come in handy...for instance, she can authorize A10 strikes, but she has to be near the target to call them in...

[al_infierno]

Seems pretty cool.  I always liked the idea of a fully fleshed out tactical zombie containment simulator where you're setting up roadblocks on important junctions, quarantining city zones, and dropping "containment" bombs while trying to keep squaddies from getting overwhelmed and munched on.

This looks like it'll scratch that general itch, but I do wonder how much the "player character" mechanics will distract from the overall strategic/tactical decision making.

They don't distract at all. You can decide to leave her at you base and not bring her into the field.  However, she has some powerful perks, so bringing her along or deploying her to hotspots can come in handy...for instance, she can authorize A10 strikes, but she has to be near the target to call them in...

Sounds great!  If she dies is it Game Over, or do you just lose out on her powerful perks/support/etc?

[JasonPratt]

Seems pretty cool.  I always liked the idea of a fully fleshed out tactical zombie containment simulator where you're setting up roadblocks on important junctions, quarantining city zones, and dropping "containment" bombs while trying to keep squaddies from getting overwhelmed and munched on.

Come to think of it, I bought a game like that last year or the year before -- Feb 2018, I see. It's very lo-gfx, super-indie, but has a lot of that action. Atom Zombie Smasher. Currently on sale for US$5 at Steam!

[Jarhead0331]

Seems pretty cool.  I always liked the idea of a fully fleshed out tactical zombie containment simulator where you're setting up roadblocks on important junctions, quarantining city zones, and dropping "containment" bombs while trying to keep squaddies from getting overwhelmed and munched on.

This looks like it'll scratch that general itch, but I do wonder how much the "player character" mechanics will distract from the overall strategic/tactical decision making.

They don't distract at all. You can decide to leave her at you base and not bring her into the field.  However, she has some powerful perks, so bringing her along or deploying her to hotspots can come in handy...for instance, she can authorize A10 strikes, but she has to be near the target to call them in...

Sounds great!  If she dies is it Game Over, or do you just lose out on her powerful perks/support/etc?

Yes. You must protect her. If she dies, the game is over.

[FarAway Sooner]

Do they have an option where wearing Masks can slow down the spread of the Zombie apocalypse?  Why do all Zombies have to spread their plague by biting, anyway?

[Jarhead0331]

Do they have an option where wearing Masks can slow down the spread of the Zombie apocalypse?  Why do all Zombies have to spread their plague by biting, anyway?

Yes. Gas masks are an upgrade that can be acquired through your command center.

[mbar]

Do you think there is longevity and replayability  with just the one San Francisco map?

It looks good but I'm tapped out for this sale. I'd buy it full price though if it's good.

[Jarhead0331]

Do you think there is longevity and replayability  with just the one San Francisco map?

It looks good but I'm tapped out for this sale. I'd buy it full price though if it's good.

Honestly don't know. The map is fairly small, but it is also still in early access too. I see this more as a game that will be best enjoyed in small doses anyway.

[Zulu1966]

Necroing this - but bought the other day - looks good - still only one map but like what I see so far

[FarAway Sooner]

I've been to Treasure Island a couple times.  Assuming the map is faithfully represented, I'd love to be able to claim, "Hey, that's the Ultimate Frisbee field where I did that charity tournament 20 years ago!"

[Jarhead0331]

The game is pretty awesome.