Cipher Complex

Cipher Complex is a cancelled PS3, Xbox 360, and PC game from Edge of Reality and Sega. It has been described as Splinter Cell on steroids.

Plot
You play as Lt. Col. John Sullivan, aka Cipher, who must investigate a downed US satellite in Siberia. US intelligence suggests that the sneaky Russians are up to no good. What was supposed to be a simple reconnaissance mission turns into a fight against terrorism.



Gameplay
The gameplay was to be a mixture of Metal Gear Solid and Batman. You must be stealthy and pretty much play hide and seek with the Russian henchmen. If discovered, the action becomes a fast melee sprawl.

The combat system has an interesting function: adrenaline. The harder you fight, the faster and more powerful you become (for a short while). Using special abilities, like dashing, drains the adrenaline meter. Knowing when to use adrenaline was key.

The enemy AI is smart and dynamic. Like in Metal Gear Solid games, they will break away from patrol paths to react to stimuli. They will also do smart things like flicking on light switches and try to avoid ambushes.

Enemies appear as coloured dots on the corners of the HUD. Green = normal; yellow = cautious & on the hunt; red = found you.



Development
Cipher Complex was announced in June 2006. Development had began secretly two years prior. Sega signed up to publish the game in 2007. Then everything went quiet.

Cancellation
Neither Edge of Reality or Sega has announced the cancellation but it is troubling. According to an Edge of Reality employee, the project was on indefinite hold.

Their website has since turned into a gaming blog. At one point it was a Japanese escort service.

Videos
Gameplay.

Interview about production