NO LAW: Everything We Know

If you enjoy cyberpunk-themed games like Cyberpunk 2077, then get ready for NO LAW. It comes from Neon Giant, the same developer who gave us Diablo-like, twin-stick shooter, and cyberpunk-themed, The Ascent. While it’s still early stages, the worldbuilding and story already look thrilling. So, let’s find out exactly what you can expect in our NO LAW: Everything We Know article.

What is NO LAW?

NO LAW is an upcoming first-person, open-world, shooter RPG by Neon Giant and KRAFTON. It takes place in a cyberpunk world called Port Desire. Here, there is no law, and everyone is out to fulfill their own needs and desires. You’ll control Grey Harker, a moustache, buff chap, with past military experience. While he wants to live a low-key life after suffering fatal injuries on the battlefield, the city with no laws cooks up other plans for him.

Story

NO LAW plans to be a story-driven experience, featuring cinematic cutscenes that immerse you in Port Desire. It plans to tell a cyber-noir story, morally bankrupt, but dashed in a neon punk art style. You’ll unravel a rich history, filled in by NPCs you’ll talk and interact with. And your ex-military protagonist, Grey Harker, will set forth, adamant on revenge and taking back what was wrongfully taken from him. 

Your skills as a seasoned veteran on the battlefield will come in handy. But you also have the advantage of understanding how Port Desire works. During your last military mission, you sustained fatal injuries and decided to recede to a quiet, peaceful life. But things take a turn on one fateful day, when trouble comes knocking on your door, and you’re forced back to violence.

Gameplay

While Port Desire is a land of no laws, it still doesn’t mean that you won’t face consequences for your actions. Playing as Grey Harker, you’ll meet lots of exciting NPCs. Some will help you on your quest, while others will prove hostile. It’ll be up to you to choose who to befriend and help with different needs or straight-up kill. But keep in mind that your choices will have consequences. Because of these decision-making story choices, NO LAW will make room for multiple playthroughs, where you can chase different paths and discover variable outcomes.

Exploration will be a huge part of your playthrough, as you work to discover every inch of the cliff-facing city of Port Desire. This is an industrial seaside, with cyberpunk design but also lush greenery. Lots of personalities will roam the streets, working in different facets of life, from import to export and tourism. It’s a city of opportunity, with no limits to your wildest dreams. 

While exploring, you can choose to engage in tactical stealth or brutal first-person action. Morals will be difficult to keep up with, as you explore everything from the rooftops to the alleyways. Just as you’re not constrained by laws, though, so will the residents you’ll meet. So, definitely be careful.

With your playthrough structured as missions, you’ll write your own story, mastering the tools and systems needed to survive. Whether you take the tactical stealth route or go into missions guns blazing, you’ll have access to a variety of military upgrades, including sci-fi devices and traversal options, needed to outsmart the enemy or cause full carnage.

Development

Developer Neon Giant and publisher KRAFTON are names you’ve probably heard of before. They return once again to bring us a new cyberpunk-themed game. Rather than the twin-stick shooter recipe for The Ascent, Neon Giant is choosing first-person shooting gameplay instead for their next game. However, the cyberpunk theme remains, perhaps more open-ended and explorable in the design of Cyberpunk 2077.

KRAFTON, on the other hand, is well-known for publishing so many games that I can’t possibly exhaust here. They have come under heavy scrutiny over the years for various controversies and legal issues. There’s also the concern around AI, where the CEO Kim Chang-han says the company will automate its processes and implement AI-centered management systems. Whether this will affect the creativity and reuse of assets in the upcoming game remains to be seen.

Trailer

In the end, in-game footage is always the reliant force for deciding whether to jump on the bandwagon of new games. And NO LAW’s reveal trailer is out now. So, you can at least have a first look at the story and gameplay footage. The trailer states that “all footage captured in-game,” which is promising, given that it sure does look good. Port Desire is a city that tells lots of tiny, little stories I can’t wait to unravel. The chaotic ones, immoral fragments, and even emotional arcs that will hopefully hold your attention through to the finish line.

Gameplay, as well, looks punchy, with Grey Harker kicking ass in the few combat sections shown. He takes down enemies in precise headshots, kicks them to quite a faraway distance, suggesting amplified human abilities, and traverses the city like a badass. It seems the protagonist will solely be male, with no options for character creation. 

It’s worrisome that the reveal trailer has garnered very few views so far. Certainly, a big bummer for the marketing team. I can’t tell what the reason for that might be. Overall, if done right (crossing fingers for no bugs), NO LAW could easily break the internet when released.

Release Date, Platforms, & Editions

Speaking of the release date, it’s still unknown. That’s concerning, as we can’t speculate on when we might be getting the final game. But I sure hope we’ll get gameplay footage in the meantime. The platforms are confirmed to be PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. Editions are, unsurprisingly, also unknown. 

Here’s how you can stay in the loop of future communication, through the game’s socials on X, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Discord, and YouTube. The official website is also a good source of new updates. “Your choices, your chaos, your city.” Are you ready to reap what you sow?