A round-based horde shooter on Sker Island
Sker Ritual is a first-person horror shooter built around old-school round-based waves. Sker Island has been overrun by the Quiet Ones, failed experiments now controlled by Elisabeth, and they hunt you relentlessly across six unique maps. The story follows on from the 'evil' ending of Maid of Sker, and the goal is to close out Elisabeth's reign of terror. Between the swarms you'll find optional objectives and hidden Easter Eggs, plus Elites with unique abilities that force you to change your approach rather than just hold a trigger.
Playing it with your group
You can run it solo or in an online party of up to 4 players, so the whole group can drop onto the same map and split the work: covering lanes, buying each other out of tight spots, and pooling your attention for objectives and Easter Eggs. Bosses and Elites with their own powers show up regularly, which is where a squad earns its keep, since adapting your play-style and arsenal together is what keeps everyone off death's door. The game also supports solo play if you'd rather scout a map before bringing the rest of the group in.
Powers, weapons and upgrades
Celtic Gods drop Miracles as you fight, and each drop gives you a choice of three random upgrades that alter or buff your shots, melee attacks, grenades and healing. Commit to the right Gods and you can stack devastating combos, and you may be granted an Ultimate — a chargeable ability for when the Quiet Ones get too close. For firepower, The Laughing Policeman's booths sell stock munitions and ammo on each map, while Lucky lets you gamble for higher-tier gear. When things get rough, weapons can be SUPER CHARGED into steampunk versions that cut through the horde more easily.
Before you start
Expect a survival loop: waves, resource decisions, and pressure that only rises as Elites and bosses enter the field. Progression and cosmetics come through free systems like Dread Levels and the Sker Pass, achievements, and Easter Eggs, which unlock interchangeable masks, unique voicelines for taunting enemies or teammates, and switchable menu scenes from around the isle. The tone pulls from folk, gothic, zombie, sci-fi and supernatural horror, so the atmosphere is grim and the enemies are built to intimidate as much as to overwhelm.