A cult-favorite roguelite is breaking out of Early Access with a full release planned for later this month—and it’s bringing cryptids, conspiracies, and chaos with it.
Publisher Kakao Games and developer Ocean Drive Studio have locked in May 26 as the launch date for Section 13, their irreverent twin-stick shooter with roguelite mechanics. It’s set to land on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. That date marks the official end of a nearly year-long Early Access period that kicked off in July 2023.
From Off-the-Radar to Center Stage
Section 13 has been quietly gaining a loyal following during its time in Early Access, and not just because it’s packed with strange monsters and customizable weaponry.
At first glance, it’s your classic sci-fi action game. But peek under the surface, and things start getting weird—in a good way. You play as one of several agents working for the shadowy S2P Corporation, a place that buries its secrets deep. Literally. The game’s setup? A “containment breach” at the most secure facility S2P operates—one not even on the books. You’re the unfortunate soul (or one of them, if you’re playing in co-op) sent in to clean up the mess and uncover what the hell is going on.
That’s the hook. And it’s worked.
Secrets, Sci-Fi, and Sarcasm
What sets Section 13 apart isn’t just the bullet-hell chaos or the eerie base design—it’s the tone. This isn’t some grim-faced, self-serious alien shooter. It’s funny. Weirdly, uncomfortably funny.
The agents you control—Red, Scalpel, Boy Scout, and Beaker—each have personalities just as strange as the paranormal anomalies they’re up against. The writing is laced with sarcasm, office-banter energy, and enough corporate-speak satire to make anyone who’s worked in tech or biotech flinch a little.
One sentence into the Steam description and you’re already hit with lines like “Urgency starts with U!” It knows exactly what it is. And it leans in.
Weapons, Mods, and One Hell of a Benefits Package
Gameplay-wise, it’s a roguelite through and through. Think Enter the Gungeon meets Control, with a splash of Hades. Every run is different. Every death is a lesson.
What players get, though, is far more than just a rotating set of corridors and enemies. You’ve got:
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Unlockable and tweakable weapons
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Synaptic Enhancements (think gameplay-altering mods)
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Genetic modifications (which, yes, can be a little risky)
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Persistent upgrades between missions
These upgrades mean each death isn’t just a failure—it’s a setup for a stronger comeback. Even the mechanics reflect the corporate horror vibe. One mechanic, the “Fear level,” measures how overwhelmed your agent is during battle. If it spikes too high, you could have a panic attack mid-mission. Yes, seriously.
Management, naturally, suggests “mindful breathing and soothing affirmations.”
Development, Feedback, and the Long Crawl to Launch
The Early Access phase started on July 19, 2023. Since then, Ocean Drive Studio has used the time to iron out bugs, add content, and build a better game—often by listening to player feedback.
In one update, they overhauled how Fear mechanics worked after players said it felt too punishing. In another, they added more meaningful progression between runs. They’ve even teased post-launch content, but haven’t laid out specific plans yet.
A quick look at the Steam community forums paints a picture of a dev team that’s active, responsive, and not afraid to tweak major systems based on criticism. It’s a refreshing change.
Is the Market Ready for Another Roguelite?
Here’s where things get a little tricky.
The roguelite genre isn’t exactly starving. In fact, it’s overflowing. Between Dead Cells, Rogue Legacy 2, Hades, Risk of Rain, and Cult of the Lamb, players have options. A lot of them.
But Section 13 might have a lane of its own. Its closest comparisons are probably The Binding of Isaac and Enter the Gungeon, but with a far more cohesive narrative and a heavier focus on multiplayer.
Here’s a quick side-by-side of features:
| Feature | Section 13 | Enter the Gungeon | Hades |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiplayer Co-Op | Yes (up to 3) | No | No |
| Persistent Progression | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Narrative Focus | Moderate to High | Low | High |
| Weapon Customization | Extensive | Medium | Moderate |
| Fear Mechanic | Yes | No | No |
So while it’s entering a crowded space, it’s doing so with enough quirks—and quality—to carve out a place.
What to Expect on May 26
The full release promises more than just a label change. According to Ocean Drive, players can expect additional story content, expanded upgrade systems, new enemy types, and a reworked difficulty curve tailored for both solo and group play.
Whether you’re a lone wolf or teaming up with friends, you’ll be dropped into a hostile maze of experimental tech, corrupted creatures, and S2P’s own shady history. Expect fast-paced action, weird science fiction themes, and yes—probably some jokes that hit a little too close to home if you’ve ever worked in a dysfunctional office.
One thing’s for sure: this is not your standard 9-to-5.
