We thought we had everything under control. My crew and I spent an inordinate amount of time planning what we thought was the perfect bank heist. We studied the futuristic bank’s layout, gathered all the necessary gadgets to shatter the windows for a swift exit, and even managed to assemble a swarm of lethal drones to help us pass as a regular delivery crew infiltrating the target zone. We were convinced nothing could go wrong. Yet, life had other plans.
Greed led to our downfall, as it often does. We successfully extracted our main target: crucial data from a tech-savvy CEO’s brain, which was encased in some ultra-modern contraption. We hacked into his mind, snagged the plans we needed, and were ready for extraction. That’s when one of my teammates, who works with the 10 Chambers development team, wondered out loud, “Why not try our luck with the other vaults as well?”
We figured, why not? We had mapped out an exit that involved literally jumping off the upper floor of a sky-high building. Grabbing some extra cash wouldn’t necessarily derail our elaborate plan, right? But as we moved into position, a tide of security forces and combat drones flooded the area, armed to the teeth. Chaos erupted. One of our team members got pinned down in the main lobby, while another, holding our right flank, met their match via a stray grenade. I was in the back, primed to lead our escape, but a sharpshooter got the better of me. That was it. Game over.
Despite the setback, this bank-robbing game is a thrilling experience. The unpredictability of each heist adds to its charm. “I’ve never seen so many enemies appear out of nowhere,” one of the developers remarked. “That’s what keeps it exciting!” This element of surprise is what sets “Den of Wolves” apart from similar titles. Unlike in “Payday” and “Payday 2,” where you can breeze through a mission without prior planning, this game demands meticulous preparation.
In “Den of Wolves,” strategies are essential. It’s not just about pulling off a quick score; it’s about masterminding the whole operation. Imagine a scene akin to “Ocean’s 11,” where everyone has their distinct role. Someone is leading like George Clooney, while others are part of the ensemble – planning and executing with the precision of a well-rehearsed team.
Reflecting on our botched mission, Simon Viklund, the co-founder of 10 Chambers, drew parallels to the heist classic “Heat.” “In that film, the thieves meticulously gear up for a major job. They plan their escape routes, acquire gear, and strategize every move.” I can see how this cinematic influence shaped the missions in “Den of Wolves.” Before tackling a main heist, you have to pull off smaller jobs to secure the equipment and tools you’ll need for the big one.
Take this scenario: before tackling the main heist, we performed a smaller raid to capture an assault drone. This involved sneaking into a fortified building and stealing the drone, which later allowed us easy entry into the vault. Once inside, it was an all-out skirmish, and we reached our target destination without much hassle.
“This game offers more robust planning options than those lighthearted heist films,” Viklund chuckled. It definitely lends itself to more strategic gameplay where players have the freedom to choose their approach based on prior preparations. Perhaps my downfall stemmed from poor equipment choices. With my fondness for precision rifles, I should have equipped something more versatile or explosive, given the ferocious wave of aggressors we encountered later in the mission. These are lessons for another day.
“Den of Wolves” enriches the formula, especially with the involvement of developers who previously worked on “Payday” and “Payday 2.” It blends high stakes and thoughtful planning with the chaotic thrill of a rocky heist. Learning from the intense difficulty of “GTFO,” the developers ensure the game is accessible while still rewarding strategic planning. Our failure was not due to the game’s challenges but our own greed and overconfidence.
The futuristic and gritty setting enhances every action. Whether you’re strategically taking down droids or reacting to your screen shaking as you sprint with heavy bags of loot, every aspect is finely tuned to make players feel immersed and in charge.
Remarkably, even before public release, the game exhibits promise. The engaging cycle of planning, preparation, and execution is sure to resonate deeply with players, improving as you unlock more gadgets and strategies. The 10 Chambers team, with a rich history in creating heist games, has poured years of work into this project, honing an idea first envisioned more than a decade ago.
It’s evident from the outset. “Den of Wolves” boasts keen attention to detail, offering a game-first approach that recent entries like “Payday 3” struggled to achieve. Recognizing a need for an innovative cooperative heist shooter, 10 Chambers is giving it everything they’ve got, ensuring this title fills a noticeable void. While full release details are pending, the community eagerly awaits its debut on PC in early access, hoping it lives up to its already significant promise.
