Deserter

About Deserter

Deserter is a tactical RPG set in a dystopian war-torn city where you play John Holden, an AWOL soldier turned thief. Developed by Askalot Games and released in 2026, it blends stealth and role-playing. You’ll steal supplies, navigate a surveillance-heavy metropolis, and choose from 8 skill trees to shape your playstyle. The world is grim, with factions vying for power and a plague ravaging the slums. It’s a single-player PC experience focused on survival, choice, and resourcefulness. Think of it as a gritty, skill-driven stealth game where your actions influence the city’s fate.

Gameplay

Each session revolves around sneaking, looting, and avoiding patrols. You use tools like grappling hooks to bypass obstacles, lockpicks to breach doors, and dynamite to create diversions. The environment is key, stick to shadows, exploit alternate routes, or use noise strategically to mislead guards. Combat is rare but tense; you’re better off evading or using stealth kills. The RPG system lets you invest in skills like hacking, pickpocketing, or charisma, which unlock new tactics. Missions range from stealing medicine to sabotaging Party operations. The city feels alive with patrols, snipers, and random encounters, forcing you to adapt your approach every time.

What Players Think

PlayPile community ratings give Deserter 4.2/5. 75% of players complete the main story, with 40% hitting 100% skill trees. Average playtime is 22 hours, though hardcore runs last 40+ hours. The mood is split: 60% label it “tense,” 50% “gritty,” and 35% “rewarding.” Critics praise the skill system but note a 20% drop-off rate due to repetitive early-game tasks. Achievements (102 total) are dense but optional. Reviews highlight the “immense freedom in playstyle” but criticize the “slow pace of early missions.”

PlayPile's Take

Deserter is worth playing if you enjoy deep RPG systems and stealth challenges. The 102 achievements and 22-hour average suggest it’s a long but satisfying grind. However, the $29.99 price tag and 75% completion rate imply some will burn out. It’s best for patients who appreciate tactical stealth and character customization. Skip it if you prefer fast-paced action or struggle with slow, methodical gameplay. The world is bleak but richly detailed, rewarding persistence.

Storyline

In a world of total control and endless wars, you are John Holden, an AWOL soldier trapped in a grim, war-torn town. Use every available trick to survive and escape this damned city: break into houses, steal food and medicine, hone your thieving skills, and influence the fate of its citizens. You'll have access to a rich arsenal of tools and devices: from lock picks and crowbars to grappling hooks and dynamite. Additionally, take advantage of your surroundings: find or create alternate routes, stick to the shadows, stay quiet, or use loud noises to cause distraction. Welcome to the City. Here, every step is monitored by the Party, while behind the scenes ideologies collide and power struggles never end. Heartless bureaucrats occupy the halls of the government. On the streets, looters and smugglers run their business. Behind all the closed doors, people dream of freedom, and the plague reigns over the slums. Craft your own playstyle with an intricate RPG system offering nearly a 100 diverse skills and talents. Develop your character across 8 different mastery paths to become an elusive pickpocket, a skilled hacker, or a charismatic con artist.