Guns of Eschaton hands-on: a punishing Soulslike FPS set in Viktor Antonov's Weird West
Guns of Eschaton, the upcoming first-person shooter from Eschatology Entertainment, blends Dark Souls-style combat with a Weird West setting, and early impressions suggest it is a refreshing but punishing take on the genre. The game, which is scheduled to launch in 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC, is set in a world of "dust, blood, false saints, broken history, and occult horror" — a vision crafted by the late Viktor Antonov, the artist behind Half-Life 2's City 17 and Dishonored's Dunwall, who passed away last year. The result is a striking, atmospheric landscape that immediately sets the game apart from its peers.
A slow, deliberate start
The game begins with the player character awakening at the bottom of a ravine, a tutorial area that introduces the three core mechanics: shooting, dashing, and parrying. Despite the promise of nimbleness these terms imply, Guns of Eschaton is a slower, more deliberate experience than many modern shooters. The default six-shooter, for instance, requires careful cylinder management: six shots before a slow reload that leaves the player exposed, and each shot must be followed by cocking the hammer to rotate the cylinder. This creates a unique rhythm that takes getting used to, and the penalty for mistiming is severe — a click from an empty chamber can be dispiriting, especially given how hard enemies hit.
The supernatural twist
Eschatology Entertainment, founded by alumni of the War of Tanks developer Wargaming, adds a supernatural layer to the combat. Simply landing a bullet on an enemy is not enough; each foe is weak to a specific sequence of attacks, requiring players to target specific limbs in a specific order. Basic undead cowboys may fall to a single shot to the face, but others demand a precise combination, such as right leg then left arm. This system, combined with the deliberate reloading, forces a methodical approach that feels distinct from the fast-paced shooters the genre typically offers.
A world built by a master
The game's setting, the Old South, is a land of dust, blood, and occult horror, brought to life by Antonov's distinctive visual style. The first sweeping vista — an endless desert of sand and flame, with a giant worm winding over fracturing mesas beneath looming planets and swirling stars — is a striking moment that hints at the world's depth. However, the journey to that point is a slow one, as the game's opening is confined to a tutorial pit. The difficulty is compounded by the fact that the game does not currently explain itself very well, leaving players to learn through trial and error.
A hard but rewarding challenge
The game's difficulty is a central feature. During a recent hands-on session, the game proved to be "bloody hard," with the deliberate pacing and complex combat mechanics requiring patience and practice. The classic Soulslike campfire respawns are present, but they are mingled with the Weird West-inspired first-person shooting, creating a hybrid that feels fresh but unforgiving. The game's pseudo-realism extends to the weapon handling, where shooting is not just about pulling the trigger but also about managing the cylinder and cocking the hammer — a system that adds a layer of tension to every encounter.
Looking ahead
Guns of Eschaton is set to launch in 2026, though no specific release date has been confirmed. The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC. With its unique blend of Soulslike mechanics, Weird West aesthetics, and deliberate, methodical combat, it promises to be a distinct entry in the FPS genre. The late Viktor Antonov's visual legacy, combined with the challenging gameplay, makes it one to watch for fans of hardcore shooters and atmospheric worlds alike.