Cinder City G-STAR Demo Delivers Open-World Tactical Chaos in Alternate Seoul

NCSOFT's BigFire Games brought Cinder City to G-STAR 2025, and this open-world tactical shooter is absolutely unhinged. Picture modern Seoul getting absolutely wrecked by 23rd century tech, then turn it into a multiplayer battleground where you're flying helicopters through skyscrapers while blasting enemies with mounted guns. That's Cinder City, and the G-STAR demo lets you play as Seven, one of the game's key heroes, tearing through the chaos.

The G-STAR playable build drops you straight into the mayhem. BigFire Games scanned real Seoul locations like COEX and Bongeunsa Temple using 3D mapping and photoscanning, then destroyed them with alternate-history science fiction. You're not just fighting in a generic open world—you're fighting in recognizable Seoul landmarks transformed into war zones.

Alternate Seoul Where Centuries Collide

Cinder City's hook is its setting: 21st century Seoul merging with 23rd century technology in an alternate timeline. The devs didn't just throw futuristic assets onto modern architecture—they built a cohesive world where both eras coexist and clash. Ancient temples stand alongside holographic billboards, traditional markets neighbor AI-controlled defense systems, and the cultural identity of Seoul persists even as advanced warfare tears it apart.

This historical revision SF approach gives Cinder City a distinct visual identity. The game doesn't look like other tactical shooters because it's pulling from Korean landmarks and culture as the foundation, then layering on the sci-fi elements.

Helicopters, Bikes, and Mounted Guns Define Combat

The open-world combat goes hard on vehicle integration. Jump in a helicopter and dominate from above, hop on a bike for speed, or commandeer a car with mounted weapons. Every vehicle has guns, and you're encouraged to use them liberally. The G-STAR demo showcases how seamlessly players transition between ground combat, vehicular warfare, and aerial engagements across Seoul's destroyed cityscape.

BigFire Games isn't limiting Cinder City to open-world chaos, either. They're developing instanced party dungeons and raids for 4-player groups, plus massive boss encounters requiring coordinated attacks from multiple players. The AI-powered NPCs adapt to spatial awareness and player tactics, ensuring fights don't feel scripted or repetitive.

The G-STAR Experience

At G-STAR 2025, players got hands-on time with Seven's storyline, experiencing how Cinder City balances narrative progression with open-world freedom. The demo proved BigFire Games is delivering AAA production values in both story and gameplay systems, positioning Cinder City as more than just another tactical shooter—it's NCSOFT's play for the open-world multiplayer market with Korean cultural identity baked into its DNA.

For the latest trailers, development updates, and G-STAR footage, visit the official Cinder City website.

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