Warzone: Shade 2

Warzone: Shade 2, in development known as SPARTAN II, is a first-person shooter developed by DECA The Hague and published by NINE100 Studios. It is the fifth installment in the Warzone series and is the sequel too Warzone: Shade, coinciding with the release of Shade: Eagle Eye.
Set on the island of Japan amidst a turbulent backdrop of an Ultranationalist uprising. As Shade, the secret service for the US delegate, players must navigate a treacherous journey to combat the Ultranationalist threat. With a rich setting, between mystical nature bound places and dynamic urban environments, the campaign immerses players in a web of conspiracy, that once-again challenges their morality.
==Campaign==
===Premise===
Following the exposure of MHL's connections to the Japanese tech giant Cypher Tech Limited, a treaty is organized in Tokyo to regulate military-grade drone operations by non-governmental organizations. However, during the conference, a group of Ultranationalists launches a violent attack, aiming to overthrow the government and restore a Neo-Shogunate regime. Complicating matters further, a false flag missile strike in Manchuria prompts a Chinese sea blockade around the island, trapping everyone within. 
Amidst this chaos, Shade, acting as a secret service for the US delegate, finds themselves stranded and embarks on a perilous journey to dismantle the Ultranationalist threat. Shade collaborates alongside other stranded CTUs, responding to situations forming all across the island. As the story unfolds, deeper layers of conspiracy and a malevolent force lurking in the shadows emerge, suggesting a broader scheme connected to the false flag operation. 
===Synopsis===
During the Raid on Tokyo, Dalton is electrocuted by a fallen electronic billboard as he was partially submerged in water. He awakens in a Shinto Temple temporarily serving as a Red Cross hospital. From there, a manhunt ensues as Dalton joins the search for Ultranationalist members intent on destabilizing the country.
===Theme===
Warzone: Shade 2 highlights the similarities between the settings of Japan and Hawaii, effectively emphasizing their inherent interconnectedness. Hawaii has a lot of Japanese influences due to a migration wave in the early 20th century. The game showcases the diverse landscapes found in Japan, ranging from vibrant neon-lit cities to serene and mystical temples. This carefully crafted setting facilitates intense urban combat scenarios both within urban environments and their outskirts.
The cultural backdrop of Japan adds depth to the narrative, underlining a historical legacy of ultra-nationalistic ideals. The game highlights Japan's struggle to preserve its traditional values amid the rise of capitalist ventures, an ideology shared by the Hawaiian Separatist movement. The experience of loss and defeat that Japan faced in the aftermath of World War II, ultimately resulting in its status as a puppet state, shows a juxtaposition that effectively conveys that both movements grapple with the perceived erosion of their distinct identities. 
==Multiplayer==
The multiplayer design of Warzone: Shade 2 incorporates several key elements to enhance the gameplay experience. It features a kinetic gunplay system that emphasizes straightforward, high-octane combat, requiring players to focus on crosshair placement, map movements, and quick reaction times. While offering depth in mechanics, the game does not employ intricate RPG-like systems or dueling mechanics as introduced in Iron Wolf II, maintaining a focus on fast-paced action.
Another notable design aspect is the evolving maps, which, while not providing large-scale destruction like some other titles in the genre, offer high adaptability. Destruction within the environment creates new pathways or blockades, such as breaching walls to open new flank routes or destroying catwalks to create shortcuts to advantageous positions. This dynamic environment constantly shapes the flow of combat, allowing players to strategically manipulate the battlefield to their advantage.
The game introduces a diverse range of gadgets, known as Equipment, that add depth and variety to the gameplay experience. These gadgets are stored in an inventory system, granting players access to a wide array of equipment at all times. While individual gadgets may not possess extensive versatility, their strategic implementation in a coordinated manner becomes key. Players can utilize various gadgets, including placeable walls for route blocking, noise-cancelling drones for suppressing enemy gunfire, temporary performance boosts, and much more.
===Customization===
The perk system in Warzone: Shade 2, now called Special Operations Force, has undergone significant modifications, drawing inspiration from the mechanics introduced in Warzone: Iron Wolf II. Players now have the opportunity to align themselves with a specific Special Force Unit, granting access to Tier One Proficiency that tailor to their preferred playstyle. 
Additionally, players can choose their Operator, each equipped with a unique Tactical ability. These abilities bestow strategic advantages during gameplay, allowing players to employ specific tactics or provide valuable support to their team. To further customize their characters, players can choose from a variety of Gear that function similarly to traditional perks, that bolster the character's resilience, improved weapon handling, heightened stealth capabilities, and more.
==Rampant==
Rampant returns in Warzone: Shade 2, but has undergone drastic changes. Rampant introduces players to the sprawling technopolis of Cypherworld, a new playground inspired by combining Westworld, Disneyworld, and Silicon Valley. Originally intended as the new hypermodern headquarters for Cypher Tech Limited, the project faced controversy due to the misuse of their drones in Hawaii. However, an Ultranationalist plot triggers the activation of the site’s contingency code, resulting in the complex's complete reboot under a nefarious AI called Eminence. Now, the AI uses the faculties to rebuild a drone army to take over Japan.
Unlike the mission based structure featured in its prequel, Rampant is now set within the expansive sandbox of Cypherworld. Players engage in a diverse range of activities, unlocking new locations and gameplay scenarios throughout the game's lifecycle. There are also different gamemodes, which are bound to specific locations within Cypherworld. Players can freely roam Cypherworld and engage in activities in squads of 4.
===Gamemodes===
*Raid - Reminiscent of the missions in its prequel, Raid features a set of objectives that players need to complete while infiltrating a faculty of Cypherworld. These can range from securing or destroying an object to defeating a dangerous drone in a bossfight. Raids feature story elements that showcase Eminence and its goals.
*Quarantine - Wave-based survival set in a closed-off section of Cypherworld. Players must either survive a specified number of rounds or opt for Nightmare mode, where the waves of enemies become endless. The sections in Quarantine have interactive elements that modify the survival gameplay.
*Patrol - Upload disarmament code at Data Centers scattered through Cypherworld. While uploading, players must defend the targeted datapad from relentless drone attacks. Patrols are quick and fast-paced, providing quick rewards for completing them.
===Customization===
In Rampant, players embark on a separate character progression journey compared to the prequel's class-based system. By participating in gamemodes, players earn points that can be spent on proficiencies and abilities from the Special Operations Force customization system. Unlike in multiplayer, there are no classes or restrictions, but players can still only equip a limited number of proficiencies and abilities at a time.
Selection and customizing your weapon is also unique to Rampant. At first, each player has access to all the unmodded variants of all weapons. Successful mission completions yield loot in the form of upgraded weapons with attachments and camos, which offer stat modifications in Rampant. These weapons are stored in players' collections and can be equipped from then on, motivating continued mission completion to obtain desired weapons variants.
Players have the option to prestige their character after fully unlocking all skills. This resets their progress but grants a valuable Prismatic Token, which can be used to upgrade a single weapon to Prismatic Camo. This prestigious camo allows players to customize attachments and camos as desired. Multiple prestiges offer the opportunity to acquire more Prismatic weapons, rewarding ongoing dedication and progression.