In Critical Shift, players will lead a squad of elite agents into a secret research facility buried beneath the Arctic ice. Their mission: to uncover dangerous secrets, confront internal tensions, and survive under constant threat. The developers promise a game free of randomness — everything depends on player strategy, planning, and decisions. The game features over 30 handcrafted levels, each with unique routes, traps, biomes, and opportunities for manipulating rival factions.

“We began working on Critical Shift over five years ago. Our team now includes 30 people — artists, game designers, writers, and programmers. By our estimate, it’s one of the largest media projects ever developed in Kazakhstan, across both gaming and film. We’re targeting audiences in the U.S., Europe, and China — regions we’ve already worked with. The announcement took place on May 21, and we’re thrilled by the warm reception we received from the start. The trailer premiered exclusively on IGN China and was later picked up by major global gaming media. IGN USA, one of the industry’s most respected outlets, featured it on their YouTube channel. We also took part in OTK Games Expo 2025, where the game was showcased on a livestream with American influencers followed by millions. This is a major step forward for us and a strong motivation to keep going,” said Artyom Slesarenko, co-founder of Rhinotales Studio.

The game’s script was written by Guilty Three, the author of Shadow Slave — one of the most-read fantasy web novels on Webnovel, consistently topping global charts. He brings the same sense of suspense and inner tension to the game that has earned him a global following. The story unfolds gradually through missions, dialogue, and player choices.

Critical Shift exemplifies how Kazakhstani teams are reaching beyond the local market to develop content for international audiences. Projects like this highlight the potential of the country’s game development industry and reflect the growing strength of its technological ecosystem.

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About Rhinotales Studio

Rhinotales Studio is an independent game development studio based in Kazakhstan, specializing in story-driven games with a focus on tactical gameplay and immersive atmosphere. The team creates projects with international potential, prioritizing narrative depth and strategic mechanics. Critical Shift is the studio’s largest release to date. Learn more on the game’s official website.