Free shooting game Rules of Engagement: Gray State takes players into the horror universe

Tencent Games and developer Gray State Studio aren't sending players to hell in their upcoming game Rules of Engagement: Gray State. But this free-to-play tactical horror action RPG shooter might be bordering hell, as it's a nightmarish realm filled with monsters and other unspeakable creatures.

The Gray State is the name of an unstable dimension that is too dangerous for humans, but it also contains priceless alien artifacts. To survive this hellish environment, players take on the role of walkers, remotely piloting their bioengineered shells in the comfort of their own dimension. Gray State Studios describes Gray State as a “nightmare graveyard” and a “horror universe” that includes Lovecraftian creatures, as well as monsters inspired by movies, books, and even creepy online stories.

Gameplay is a PvEvP loop that puts players in a gray state for a limited time. The Wanderer must search for gear in a nightmarish dimension and ultimately make a choice: accept an early withdrawal of limited rewards, or try to make a bigger profit if he can beat other players to obtain the alien artifact.

Gray State Studios is planning an alpha test for Rules of Engagement, which will feature four crossover classes for players to choose from. The fourth option is currently hidden, but the other three options are listed below.

• Sledge, an unstoppable juggernaut who carves his way with shield and hammer
• Pyro, a chaotic madman who controls the battlefield with fire and poison gas
• The Phantom, an agile assassin, strikes from the shadows with pinpoint accuracy

The studio notes that players who show a talent for building craftsmanship and strategy will be rewarded in this game. It added, “The rules of participation have been developed with the future in mind, and we plan to support the game in the coming years with content updates, meta reorganization, and a player-friendly free-to-play business model powered by a cosmetic-only in-game store.”

Rules of Engagement: Gray State will be released on PC in 2026 and can be experienced as a single-player game or with up to three other players. Additional seasonal content is planned for release after launch to explore other aspects of the game's horror universe.