Section 13 Release: From Co-op to Solo Roguelite
Section 13 is the newly rebranded version of Blackout Protocol, a title that originally focused on team-based, top-down shooting in a government facility. Now a solo roguelite, the game challenges players to dive deep into a secure underwater base as a rookie agent working for an X-Files-style bureau. The goal? Recover lost data, survive monstrous enemies, and build powerful upgrade chains through nether cubes and loot.
Despite the shift away from multiplayer, the base gameplay remains intense and rewarding. Each run presents players with decisions around body modifications, weapon upgrades, and tactical movement as they fend off zombies, eldritch creatures, and armored foes.
Nether Cubes, Perks, and the New Fear Mechanic
A core mechanic in Section 13 involves collecting nether cubes—mysterious relics that offer new perks for your agent. These upgrades vary from simple stat boosts to game-changing effects like spawning AI doppelgangers that fire alongside you during combat. Players build powerful loadouts using cards, credits, and data nuggets dropped by enemies.
Fear also plays a key role. When agents remain in darkness too long, their fear meter maxes out, causing panic effects like double damage taken, reload penalties, and visual distortions. Staying near light sources becomes critical to maintaining composure during tougher sections.
Body Mods, Weapon Blueprints, and Smart Progression
Meta progression in Section 13 splits into two tracks: permanent upgrades and run-specific perks. Players use data nuggets to enhance core stats like health and ammo, while run-only mod tickets boost critical damage, cooldowns, or clip size.
Weapon customization adds further depth. Once unlocked, gun blueprints allow randomized attachments such as piercing rounds, electrical shocks, or damage scaling with distance. Assault rifles, miniguns, and other weapons can be upgraded between checkpoints—though not every weapon is available immediately.
Notably, combat still feels smooth and reactive, with strong gunfeel and clever enemy placement. Players dodge, reload, and unload in tight hallways, all while managing their fear and resources mid-fight.
Rebranding Concerns and Future of Multiplayer
Section 13’s pivot away from its original multiplayer format has sparked some criticism. Former fans of Blackout Protocol expected a team-based experience, but are instead getting a solo-first approach. Ocean Drive Studio clarified that co-op may return post-rework, though it remains absent from the current demo.
The new direction introduces light narrative elements, voiceover guidance, and safe room checkpoints. However, for the roguelite elements to remain compelling, future versions may need better randomization, branching paths, and environmental variation to suit solo play without relying on teammate synergy.
Still, this rebrand is handled with care. While early impressions suggest solid mechanics, polished visuals, and addictive run-based structure, the long-term viability of the rebrand will hinge on continued updates—and on how effectively the developers re-integrate the promised co-op.
Section 13 is fully live now on PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam. This isn’t just a preview—players can access the complete game and experience the full range of features, including body upgrades, weapon crafting, and advanced enemy types. The live version supports full progression systems, unlockable content, and expanded stages beyond what’s seen in the demo. While multiplayer is still being reworked, all core solo gameplay systems are active. Players can dive into repeated runs, refine their builds, and face increasingly difficult challenges across several facility zones. It’s a full launch with ongoing updates expected post-release.
