Beyond Citadel Review – More Brutal, More Biomechanical, More Beyond

Title	Beyond Citadel
Released	Jan 2, 2025
Developer(s):	doekuramori
Publisher(s):	doekuramori
Platform(s):
Genre	FPS, Indie, Action
Rating	M
Price	$14.99
Proton

Completed on PC on Normal

HowLongToBeat Time: 13½ Hours (Main & Sides) | My Clear Time: 13hrs 36min

Background

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Announced on April 29, 2021, Beyond Citadel follows 2020’s The Citadel but was designed to stand on its own. Development spanned over three years in Unreal Engine 4. Composer Mothman47, a fan of The Citadel, joined the project after creating a concept album inspired by the game. His work now contributes directly to Beyond.

Doekuramori made it clear via social media that Beyond Citadel was designed to stand entirely on its own—even for players unfamiliar with The Citadel.

The development team for Beyond Citadel includes:

Experience

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As someone who grew up with DOOM and other classic shooters, Beyond Citadel instantly struck a chord. Its fusion of biomechanical horror and cyberpunk felt both familiar and like a natural evolution of what The Citadel started. I’ve been following the developer’s work since that first game, so I was especially curious to see how they’d build on its foundation with this more ambitious follow-up.

Impressions

Introduction

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You wake up—no fanfare, no guidance—just the quiet hiss of decay and metal. One by one, you outfit yourself until you’re fully armed and thrown into a world on the brink. A ruined skyline greets you—hollow, hostile. Then the title hits. No pause.

Gameplay and Mechanics

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Combat in Beyond Citadel is tight, aggressive, and demands your full attention. Every fight tests your movement, resource management, and reflexes.

Reloading under pressure, timing your alternate fire, leaning around corners, and chaining movement abilities become second nature—or you don’t last long. Unlike its predecessor, the controls here are crisp and deliberate, rewarding players who stay sharp and make use of every tool in their arsenal.

It’s not about chaos—it’s about control in chaos.

Platforming & Movement
The platforming returns in Beyond, but the momentum is far less exaggerated than it was in The Citadel, so you’re not likely to die because of it.

Alternate Fire Mechanic
Alternate fire returns in Beyond Citadel with a ton of new weapons supporting it. The Machine Rifle’s laser can launch enemies into the air—sometimes clean off the map if you aim just right.

Blessings
Blessings were present in The Citadel, but in a simpler, less refined form—hard to miss and mostly handed to you. In Beyond Citadel, they’re more plentiful, but also easier to miss. Some can be skipped entirely—I missed a few myself on my first run.

They function a bit like Call of Duty perks and can be toggled on or off through their own interface.

Leaning
Leaning makes a return in Beyond Citadel, but this time it feels fully integrated into the level design. In the previous game, it felt more like an experimental extra—now it serves a clear tactical purpose.

Story & Writing

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The Citadel wasn’t without a story—but in Beyond, it steps forward and becomes part of the experience. While it builds on the foundation laid by its predecessor, it doesn’t lean on it. Beyond Citadel stands on its own, with narrative beats woven into intermission segments after each stage and sparse character encounters that ground you just enough. It’s still minimalist, but more intentional—heightening immersion without slowing the pace.

This time, the lore takes shape. Instead of brief, cryptic flashes, you’re shown a world caught mid-collapse—where a derailed divine plan has spiraled into a conflict between supernatural factions. Some cling to long-dead orders; others break rank in a desperate attempt to salvage what’s left. At the core is one act of personal defiance that may have changed everything. It’s still fragmented, still open to interpretation—but it feels like it means something, and that curiosity feels earned.

Art & Audio

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Beyond Citadel doubles down on its biomechanical-cyberpunk aesthetic. It’s still Ghost in the Shell filtered through Giger’s bleakest visions—but this time, it’s sharper, more focused, and confidently cohesive.

The overhaul in texture and visual fidelity adds polish without losing the grit that defined The Citadel. That game was raw and jagged—Beyond feels focused. Every corridor reeks of decay, every backdrop saturated with detail.

The HUD now reflects the Martyr’s condition—her portrait deteriorates with damage, turning health tracking into something visceral and unnerving.

Sound
The soundtrack still pulls from royalty-free sources, but the curation is on point. Ambient pieces simmer beneath the surface until they give way to harsh industrial beats when action kicks off. It’s the same philosophy—but this time, it’s refined.

Some standout tracks:

• Inn Radiobox 5 – A sparse, melancholic piano piece with quiet weight.
• A Martyr’s Desire – Mothman47 – Gentle, acoustic-driven, somber but not defeated.
• The Phantom Dance – Dova Syndrome – Pulsing, stylish, and sounds like it belongs in a John Wick shootout.

Gunfire carries more punch. Enemy cues are sharper, and even the menus land with force.

Unique Features and Mechanics

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Beyond Citadel expands on the original with a host of fresh mechanics and smart upgrades to its core systems.

Cryo Chambers
These act as checkpoints—if you’ve played BioShock, you’ll recognize the concept. Activate one, and you’ll respawn there if you’ve got lives left. A simple system, but it smooths out the difficulty curve while keeping tension intact. It’s a forgiving addition that respects player time without killing tension.

Durability & Jamming
In The Citadel, jamming was an optional, experimental feature. Here, it’s central to the experience—fully integrated into the combat loop.

Weapons degrade with use—some faster than others. The lower the durability, the higher the chance is for the weapon to jam, requiring the player to repeatedly mash reload to unjam their weapon.

Weapons can be repaired at the workbenches found in each level by using machine parts, which drop from mechanical enemies.

7 Virtues
Beyond Citadel features a skill point system called “7 Virtues,” where you can allocate stat points by finding interactable ‘fumo’ shrines scattered across the game’s maps. These virtues tweak everything from movement speed and jamming risk to how many health items you can carry—and more.

Art Collectibles
Beyond Citadel introduces collectible art pieces in each level. By discovering interactable shrines throughout the game, you’ll unlock artwork as a reward.

Vehicle Expansion
The game also expands its vehicular gameplay, offering more vehicles to pilot, including tanks and aircraft. Each comes with its own unique weapons and level segments, adding variety to the combat experience.

Blood Collectibles
Beyond Citadel introduces a unique twist on the health system with blood packs. These packs diminish your food meter when collected, creating a new balancing act between the two systems.

Whereas the food meter in the previous game acted as a ceiling for both your health and oxygen, here, it doesn’t. If you consume blood and your meter goes over the food limit, it grants extra health, which decays over time. This mechanic is reminiscent of the Overheal system in Wolfenstein.

The catch? Overusing blood packs comes with a penalty, as the extra health will eventually decay, encouraging a more strategic approach to resource management.

Verdict

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Beyond Citadel is an exceptional indie FPS that not only challenges AAA titles but redefines what we can expect from solo-developed games. The unique gunplay, with its projectile-based mechanics instead of hitscan, is a standout feature, offering a fresh experience that’s hard to find in most contemporary shooters. The smooth, fast-paced combat, coupled with the expanded arsenal and tight movement mechanics, makes every encounter feel engaging and satisfying.

The game’s haunting biomechanical-cyberpunk aesthetic, drawing heavy inspiration from H.R. Giger and Ghost in the Shell, creates an unforgettable atmosphere that immerses you in its world. This is further enhanced by strong world-building and narrative depth, elevating Beyond Citadel beyond a typical retro FPS.

This is not just a “good” indie game—Beyond Citadel stands shoulder to shoulder with the best of the genre, offering a level of quality and polish that rivals even AAA titles. With a cohesive vision, a labor of love by a single developer, and gameplay that stays true to retro roots while adding modern twists, this is an experience that FPS fans can’t afford to miss.

TLDR

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Pros

• Unique Gunplay: Projectiles over hitscan offer a distinctive combat experience, providing a more tactical feel compared to contemporary shooters.
• Engaging World-Building: Influences from H.R. Giger and Ghost in the Shell create a dark, cyberpunk biomechanical atmosphere that enhances immersion.
• Cohesive Design: Mechanics, atmosphere, and gameplay integrate smoothly, creating a well-rounded experience.
• Solo Developer Achievement: A standout indie FPS, created by a single developer, showcasing impressive craftsmanship and vision.
• Compelling Narrative: Strong story and world-building deepen the experience, elevating it above typical retro FPS titles.

Cons

• Enemy Variety: The limited range of enemies can make combat feel repetitive after a while.
• Puzzle Repetition: Some puzzles can feel repetitive, breaking the game’s pace at times.
• Niche Appeal: The game’s unique style and mechanics may not be to everyone’s taste.

References

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1. Beyond Citadel trailer. YouTube, doekuramori.
2. Beyond Citadel OST 9 – Inn Radiobox 5
3. A Martyr’s Desire – Mothman47
4. The Phantom Dance – Dova Syndrome