Prey (2017) game poster and cover art

Game Introduction

Prey (2017) – Game Introduction



Genre & Developer


Prey (2017) is a first-person immersive sim action-adventure game with survival horror and RPG elements. Developed by Arkane Studios (the creators of Dishonored, Dishonored 2, and later Deathloop) and published by Bethesda Softworks, the game was released on May 5, 2017 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It has received backward compatibility updates for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 via enhanced performance modes.

Story Overview


The game takes place in the year 2032 aboard Talos I, a massive space station orbiting the Moon. You play as Morgan Yu, a scientist who wakes up on the station with amnesia, only to discover that an alien species called the Typhon has overrun the facility. The Typhon are hostile, shape-shifting organisms that can mimic everyday objects and even possess human corpses. Morgan must unravel the mystery of the Typhon outbreak, explore the station’s interconnected environments, and make crucial choices that affect the story’s ending—all while surviving against relentless alien threats and uncovering the morally ambiguous experiments conducted by the corporation TranStar.

Setting


Talos I is a beautifully designed, interconnected space station that feels like a character itself. Divided into multiple themed sectors—like the Arboretum, Life Support, Neuromod Division, and the Hull Breach—the station is a mix of luxury corporate spaces, sterile laboratories, and hazardous maintenance areas. Zero‑gravity sections, explosive decompression, and environmental puzzles reward thorough exploration and creative problem‑solving.

Main Characters


  • Morgan Yu – The protagonist, whose gender and background can be partially customized. Morgan is a researcher on Talos I, and their choices throughout the game define the narrative.

  • Alex Yu – Morgan’s brother and the CEO of TranStar. He guides you via radio transmissions, but his true intentions are ambiguous.

  • January – An AI construct created by Morgan to assist with amnesia recovery and to stop the station’s self‑destruct sequence.

  • Typhon – The alien species. Notable subtypes include the floating Mimic (can disguise as objects), the Phantom (humanoid psychic attacker), the Technopath (controls machinery), the Weaver (spawns smaller Typhon), and the Nightmare (a fearsome hunter that appears at random).


    • Core Appeal


    Prey excels in offering player agency and emergent gameplay. There is rarely a single solution to any obstacle: you can hack, repair, use psychokinetic abilities via Neuromods, craft tools, or simply find alternate paths. The game rewards cautious exploration, lateral thinking, and resource management. Its immersive sim DNA means you can approach combat, stealth, and puzzle‑solving exactly as you wish.

    Target Audience


    This title is ideal for fans of immersive sims (System Shock, BioShock, Dishonored), science‑fiction horror, and non‑linear narratives. It appeals to players who enjoy uncovering lore through emails and audio logs, experimenting with different skill trees (human vs. alien abilities), and replaying to see alternate endings based on moral choices.

    Game Modes & Online/Offline Support


    Prey (2017) is a single‑player only game. There are no multiplayer or co‑op modes. The base game features a single campaign with multiple branching paths. A New Game + mode is available after completion, allowing you to carry over some upgrades. The game is fully playable offline once installed; no internet connection required for campaign progression.

    DLC / Expansions


  • Prey: Mooncrash (released June 2018) – A standalone roguelike expansion set in a lunar facility. You control multiple characters in a time‑loop scenario, each with unique abilities and objectives. It adds procedural generation, permadeath, and a high replayability focus.

  • Prey: Typhon Hunter (free content update, 2018) – A multiplayer hide‑and‑seek mode where one player is a human survivor and the rest are Typhon Mimics disguised as objects. This mode is no longer officially supported but remains accessible for local matches.

  • Cosmetic packs – Several DLC packs offer weapon skins and other cosmetic items; they are purely aesthetic and do not affect gameplay.


    • What Makes Prey Unique


  • Mind‑bending environmental puzzles – Use the GLOO Cannon to create platforms, block turrets, or freeze enemies. Navigate zero‑gravity with the Artax Propulsion System. Use the Recycler Charge to break down objects for crafting materials.

  • Neuromods & Skill Tree – Players can install Neuromods to unlock human (security, hacking, crafting) or alien (mimic matter, telekinesis, psychoshock) abilities. The choice to use alien upgrades triggers a security system and affects story outcomes.

  • Dynamic AI & Oxygen System – Turrets can be reactivated, and hacking allows you to set them on enemy or ally. Explosive decompression is a constant threat in breached areas.

  • Moral Narrative – The story explores themes of identity, memory, corporate ethics, and what it means to be human. Your decisions impact the ending and the fate of the station’s crew.

  • No hand‑holding – The game rarely marks objectives on a map; you must read emails, listen to audio logs, and piece together clues organically.


In summary, Prey (2017) is a masterclass in immersive sim design—a haunting, intricate, and deeply rewarding experience that challenges your creativity and decision‑making at every turn.