Summary
Looter shooters are having a moment right now. WithDestiny 2’s The Final Shape expansionreleasing to widespread acclaim, andThe First Descendantfinally starting to find its feet after a shaky launch, it’s a good time to be a fan of PvE co-op multiplayer. However, it seems the genre is leaning away from mechanical diversity in favor of more traditional third- and first-person gameplay. Thankfully, with Reija Games’Shell Runnerbringing twin-stick PvE gameplay back, gamers craving old-school top-down gameplay have a new cyberpunk looter shooter to sink their teeth into.
First announced two weeks ago,Shell Runnerwas released via Steam Early Access on June 28, 2025. Bringing extraction shooter elements into the tried and tested looter shooter formula,Shell Runnerallows players to customize their loadout and ‘shell’, before venturing forth to complete missions in a procedurally generated environment. This simple but effective formula has been received well by gamers, withShell Runner’s Steam reviews currently sitting at ‘positive.’ In particular, players have praised the game’s gameplay, mission variety, and loot mechanics. Some reviews have criticised the game for an overall lack of polish, but Reija Studios has stated that bugfixing is a core focus ofShell Runner’s 3 to 6 month Early Access period.
Shell Runner’s ‘shells’ are mechanical bodies which can have a person’s mind transferred into them, allowing the person to undertake risky missions without the risk of bodily harm. While the game’s title is likelya reference toGhost in the Shell, the concept is a staple of cyberpunk, appearing in notable works, such asSurrogatesandAltered Carbon.
Shell Runner Fuses Cyberpunk Aesthetics With Looter Shooter Gameplay
So far, cyberpunk fans have been underserved in the looter shooter genre. While there’s no lack of cyberpunk games available at the moment—from open world RPGs likeCyberpunk 2077tosmaller, more directed narrative experiences likeSignalis—recent looter shooters, such asThe First DescendantandDestiny 2, have instead gone for a more Robert A. Heinlein or Arthur C. Clarke inspired ‘Golden Age’ science fiction vibe. Because of this,Shell Runner’s cyberpunk trappings make it stand out as particularly unique.
Shell Runner’s Cyberpunk Elements Are More Than Skin Deep
Rather than putting their own life at risk, each run inShell Runnersees the player character’s mind being digitally transferred into a 3D printed ‘shell.’ Each shell costs money, requiring the player to spend money acquired during the game’s missions. Almost likea hero shooter, each shell is unique, with a unique cost and a different set of abilities and perks. Once a shell has been selected, players are able to kit out their mechanical body with a bevy of weapons, gadgets, and tools in order to make it a more effective killing machine. All of this, of course, costs money.
Money is the lifeblood ofShell Runner. More powerful shells cost more money, but once destroyed they’re gone forever. With big risks come big rewards—more expensive shells allow players to take on more dangerous missions, meaning more money to be found in the environment, and more money awarded once the mission is complete. Likewise, modifiers and weapons cost money too.
Balancing cost against effectiveness, players must make strategic decisions about how much money to spend on kitting out their shells, and how much to save for later missions. Spending too frivolously risks the mission rewarding the player with less money than the shell, weapons, and upgrades used to complete it cost; being too frugal means the player is at risk of being underprepared for the mission’s boss or a particularly chaotic enemy encounter. It’s all about balance.
Shell Runner Is Currently Available in Early Access
Shell RunnerenteredSteam Early Accesson July 15, and Reija Studios plans for the game to receive its full release in 3 to 6 months. Despite its relatively short Early Access period, Reija Studios has big things planned forShell Runner. Beyond bugfixes and balancing, Reija plans to add more missions, more levels, more varied mission objectives, and lots of additional weapons, shells, and gadgets. With Reija Studios paying close attention to fan feedback on the Steam forums, now is the perfect time for cyberpunk and looter shooter fans to check outShell Runner.
Shell Runner
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to 2045. The long struggle between people and corporations left the megacorps as overlords, ruling over the broken remnants of humanity huddled together in vast urban sprawls. But with no law or government beyond corporate boards, the underworld thrives. You are a Shell Runner using lifelike Shells to carry out wet work for anyone willing to pay.Shell Runner is a top-down tactical shooter hybridized with looter shooter and extraction games. Every run can make you rich - but lose your Shell and you lose all that. Experience high-risk runs as a solo merc - or find allies and face the seedy underbelly of a dystopian future in cooperative mode.Shells are remotely controlled bodies that blur the line between man and machine. Take control of one of over 20 Shells, from disposable everyman models for low-tier mercs to specialized high-tech Shells for corporate assassins and shock troops. But be careful: Lose a Shell on a mission and it’s gone - together with all the gear, loot, and Silicon credits you managed to pilfer from other unfortunates living in the shadows of the corps.
