What C.A.S.T. is
C.A.S.T. (CHERNOZEM ANOMALY STRIKE TEAM) is a third-person PvE extraction shooter set in an alternate 1950s Europe, where advanced technology sits alongside a nostalgic postwar look. You take the role of a new member of the team, dropping into maps to fight enemy hordes, dodge anomalies and finish objectives. The world mixes monstrous threats with strange environmental hazards, and the tone carries a streak of dark humor through the retro atmosphere. Every map is handcrafted but layered with procedural elements, so objectives, anomalies and weather change from run to run. You also face a range of distinct enemies, each with its own strengths and tactics, which means the approach that worked last time may need adjusting.
Playing it as a group
The game runs solo or in co-op with 1 to 4 players, so your Discord group can fill a full squad or split off into smaller teams. Success leans on precise teamwork and strategy: coordinate who handles which objective, watch each other's backs through anomaly zones, and decide together how to spend time on the main goals versus the challenging side tasks. Since maps carry random anomalies and varied weather, no two drops play out the same, giving the group something new to figure out each session. Everyone picks their own character and loadout before heading in, so you can build a squad that covers different roles rather than everyone bringing the same kit.
Before you start
Expect a PvE experience: the threats are enemy hordes, monsters and anomalies, not other players. Combat covers both ranged and melee weapons, and there is real depth in preparation — weapons have upgrade options, loadouts can be refined with unique modifiers, and a crafting workshop lets you enhance existing gear or craft new pieces. Plan a few minutes of setup before a run rather than jumping in bare. Because maps are handcrafted with procedural pieces, weather and objectives vary, so keep communication open mid-mission and be ready to change plans when a new anomaly or side task appears. Bring a flexible mindset, coordinate your loadouts, and treat each extraction as a team problem to solve.