Skopje '83 combines Dying Light's open-world action with the style of Borderlands, and it's got a new demo for launch

Ever since the first Borderlands, I've been a sucker for the brand of vibrant visuals that dances between cel shading and concept art. Roboquest and Gunfire Reborn managed to marry that look with satisfying gunplay that elevates them to the ranks of the best FPS games, and now there's a new challenger on our doorstep. Skopje '83 has been in development for six years, and now indie studio Dark-1 has finally unleashed it upon us, along with a major demo update "that better represents the current state of the game."

If you're going to survive in the hostile city of Skopje '83, named for the capital of North Macedonia where the developer is based, you'll need to get your hands on the best loot in town. Fortunately, everything starts and ends with your mobile base, known as DOM. This armored bus acts as a hub where you can store excess gear, craft and upgrade new tools and weapons, and rest to recover from each outing. You're free to explore this open-world game at your own whim, giving proceedings the less-directed vibes of the Stalker series, or even a little Escape From Tarkov.

Prioritizing environmental clues and experimentation above hand-holding, Skopje '83 won't necessarily point you everywhere you need to go. What it will do is bombard you with dangerous foes and a world that doesn't stay the same. Death is more than a simple restart; it'll cause loot and hostiles to shift around, meaning you can't necessarily trace your old steps and expect to see the same things.

"Skopje has its own unique way of revealing its secrets," Dark-1 explains, inviting you into its world of "alternate-history Balkans, occult dealings, retro-futuristic science, and more." You don't have to go in alone, either; bring friends along to help and soon you'll build up a stash of blueprints that will help you start to turn the tide on the mutated abominations roaming the streets.

If you're unsure whether it's quite your speed, the team has dropped a sizable overhaul to the free demo, which includes "a big performance boost and lots of new things to discover." The full thing comes in at just $14.99, a pretty reasonable asking price for a small-team indie game, but the trial version means you can get a good impression of if it's clicking for your personal tastes before you make that commitment.

Skopje '83 is out now on Steam, with a 10% introductory discount meaning you'll pay $13.49 / £11.51 if you buy it by Friday November 14. Find it here if you're curious to get behind the wheel of your war bus and uncover what threw the city into such deep disarray.