Rules of Engagement: The Grey State — Into the Horrorverse
By Nova | October 2025
A glimpse into the Grey State — where horror, monsters, and rival squads collide. (Credit: Grey State Studio / Tencent)
At first blush, *Rules of Engagement: The Grey State* feels like a warp in the extraction shooter blueprint. You’re not just sneaking, looting, and exfiltrating; you’re doing it in a shifting **“Horrorverse”** filled with nightmare beasts, interdimensional tension, and existential stakes. There’s PvEvP tension, class builds, artifact hunts, and that creeping dread of “what lurks in the shadows.”
Announced in late 2025, this free-to-play PC title from Grey State Studio (formerly Aurora Studio) is slated for a 2026 release. [oai_citation:0‡TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/pc-gaming/rules-of-engagement-the-grey-state-is-a-horror-extraction-shooter-that-youll-be-able-to-play-for-free?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Early trailers and dev reveals show it drawing influence from extraction legends (Tarkov, Hunt: Showdown) and horror icons (Lovecraft, creepypasta, monster mythos) mashed into one unstable world. [oai_citation:1‡PCGamesN](https://www.pcgamesn.com/rules-of-engagement-the-grey-state/reveal?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
🔍 Core Premise & “Grey State” Setup
You play as a **Strider** — an elite operative whose consciousness remotely pilots a bio-engineered shell into an unstable dimension known as the Grey State. [oai_citation:2‡GameSpot](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/f2p-shooter-rules-of-engagement-the-grey-state-takes-players-into-the-horrorverse/1100-6535433/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) The mission: infiltrate, scavenge, survive, and extract with a priceless artifact called The Vertex. [oai_citation:3‡DSOGaming](https://www.dsogaming.com/news/rules-of-engagement-the-grey-state-is-a-new-horror-free-to-play-pvpve-extraction-shooter/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
The Grey State itself is not just spooky scenery. The devs call it a “graveyard of nightmares” and a “Horrorverse” — a realm where creatures from horror films, literature, and internet mythos converge. [oai_citation:4‡GameSpot](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/f2p-shooter-rules-of-engagement-the-grey-state-takes-players-into-the-horrorverse/1100-6535433/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) You’ll find echoes of Slenderman, cosmic horror entities, industrial monstrosities, and strange hybrid beasts. [oai_citation:5‡DSOGaming](https://www.dsogaming.com/news/rules-of-engagement-the-grey-state-is-a-new-horror-free-to-play-pvpve-extraction-shooter/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
“This isn’t just one horror story, it’s all of them.” — Grey State Studio, describing the Horrorverse [oai_citation:6‡GamingBolt](https://gamingbolt.com/rules-of-engagement-the-grey-state-is-a-new-horror-themed-pvpve-extraction-shooter-out-in-2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
The tension arises because, in each match, you’re not guaranteed to get out alive — not from the monsters, not from rival squads, not from your own hubris.
⚔️ Gameplay Loop: Extraction + Horror + PvP
Let’s break down how a round might play out, based on what’s been disclosed so far and what the genre patterns suggest.
1. Drop / Insertion
Your squad of Striders (solo or up to a team of 3) begins with minimal gear. It’s a “low before the climb” start. [oai_citation:7‡GamingBolt](https://gamingbolt.com/rules-of-engagement-the-grey-state-is-a-new-horror-themed-pvpve-extraction-shooter-out-in-2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com) The Grey State is dangerous from the second you enter — environmental hazards, ambient horror triggers, cryptic echoes, and lurking monsters.
2. Scavenge & Power‑Up
Gear is scarce. You’ll scavenge weapons, mods, tools, upgrades, buffs — everything to prepare you for later stages. But the more you push forward, the riskier the map becomes. This tension between greed and caution is classic extraction design. [oai_citation:8‡DSOGaming](https://www.dsogaming.com/news/rules-of-engagement-the-grey-state-is-a-new-horror-free-to-play-pvpve-extraction-shooter/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
3. Monster / PvE Threats
Here’s where horror creeps in. The Grey State is crawling with hostile entities — some ambient, some roaming, some triggered. These monsters are not just scenery; they fight you, ambush you, punish overexposure. Many of them are drawn from the Horrorverse motif (Lovecraftian, cinematic, creepypasta) [oai_citation:9‡PCGamesN](https://www.pcgamesn.com/rules-of-engagement-the-grey-state/reveal?utm_source=chatgpt.com).
4. Rival Squads & PvP Conflict
Other human squads (or solo Striders) are here for the same artifact. In addition to monsters, you must be paranoid of betrayal, ambushes, and duel fights. PvPvE tension rigs the match. Several sources confirm a **PvEvP extraction model**. [oai_citation:10‡TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/pc-gaming/rules-of-engagement-the-grey-state-is-a-horror-extraction-shooter-that-youll-be-able-to-play-for-free?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
5. Final Showdown & Extraction Decision
Once time falls below a threshold, extraction is triggered. You must decide: leave early with what you have (safer, but lesser reward), or press on to secure The Vertex artifact for a huge payout — but risk getting caught by monsters or enemy squads. [oai_citation:11‡DSOGaming](https://www.dsogaming.com/news/rules-of-engagement-the-grey-state-is-a-new-horror-free-to-play-pvpve-extraction-shooter/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) If multiple squads reach The Vertex zone, you may fight over it in a final duel. [oai_citation:12‡DSOGaming](https://www.dsogaming.com/news/rules-of-engagement-the-grey-state-is-a-new-horror-free-to-play-pvpve-extraction-shooter/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
6. Extract or Die Trying
If you survive to the exfil zone, you escape. Fail, and you lose gear, progress, reputation. It’s the gamble. Matches will vary in risk depending on your loadout, build, monster density, and enemy aggressiveness.
🛡️ Classes, Builds & Progression
Grey State Studio has revealed a class-based system with deep skill trees and customization. [oai_citation:13‡GamingBolt](https://gamingbolt.com/rules-of-engagement-the-grey-state-is-a-new-horror-themed-pvpve-extraction-shooter-out-in-2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com) As of the latest public info, three (or four) classes are confirmed:
- Sledge: The tank juggernaut. Armed with a shield and hammer, strong in frontline roles. [oai_citation:14‡GameSpot](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/f2p-shooter-rules-of-engagement-the-grey-state-takes-players-into-the-horrorverse/1100-6535433/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- Pyro: Area control and chaos. Uses fire, gas, disruption, crowd control. [oai_citation:15‡GamingBolt](https://gamingbolt.com/rules-of-engagement-the-grey-state-is-a-new-horror-themed-pvpve-extraction-shooter-out-in-2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- Phantom: Stealth and precision. Assassination, high burst damage, silent movement. [oai_citation:16‡GameSpot](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/f2p-shooter-rules-of-engagement-the-grey-state-takes-players-into-the-horrorverse/1100-6535433/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- Fourth class (unrevealed): The devs have teased a hidden fourth class to be revealed during alpha or beyond. [oai_citation:17‡PCGamesN](https://www.pcgamesn.com/rules-of-engagement-the-grey-state/reveal?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
Progression will likely involve leveling, unlocks, skill trees, gear mods, and specialization paths (tank, damage, utility). The class diversity means squad synergy and counterplay become meaningful.
🎥 Trailer & Tone Check
The official reveal trailer — moody, atmospheric, hinting at horror mashups and extraction tension. (Shared on forums) [oai_citation:18‡Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/1o72suz/rules_of_engagement_the_grey_state_official/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
Visually, the trailer leans heavily into contrast: misty landscapes, warped geometry, silhouettes of monsters, flickering lights, violent silhouettes. The devs lean into dread over spectacle. [oai_citation:19‡Game Rant](https://gamerant.com/rules-of-engagement-the-grey-states-horrorverse-explained/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) One PCGamesN analysis calls out the “DBD-style horrorverse” approach: mixing mythic monsters, internet horror, and classic fear tropes. [oai_citation:20‡PCGamesN](https://www.pcgamesn.com/rules-of-engagement-the-grey-state/reveal?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
🧠 Design Challenges & What Could Break (or Make) It
Here are the tightropes this game must walk — things that will determine whether it’s a sleeper hit or a cautionary tale.Balance of Risk vs Reward
If extracting early is too easy, everyone goes safe and The Vertex becomes rare. If extraction is too punishing, players get frustrated. The sweet spot is in calibrating the rewards vs the hazards.Monster Weight & AI Behavior
Monsters must feel threatening yet fair. They can’t be bullet sponges, but they must incentivize respect. AI behavior — ambush, patrol, dynamic spawns — will make or break the horror feel.PvP vs PvE Tension
Many extraction games suffer when PvP overshadows PvE (or vice versa). Here, the horror side must enhance, not distract. If monster fights feel like noise, or PvP always trumps, cohesion breaks.Class / Build Imbalance
If one class combo or build becomes dominant, the meta ossifies. Devs must keep a rotating balance, gear counters, class synergies, and counterbuilds.Monetization & Player Trust
Grey State promises a cosmetic‑only monetization model (no pay-to-win). [oai_citation:21‡TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/pc-gaming/rules-of-engagement-the-grey-state-is-a-horror-extraction-shooter-that-youll-be-able-to-play-for-free?utm_source=chatgpt.com) That’s encouraging. But sustaining operations, content updates, server costs — they’ll need a sustainable plan without souring the community.Replay & Map Diversity
Horror extraction thrives when variety persists: shifting maps, unpredictable monster layouts, random event triggers. If every match feels the same, interest fades.🎯 Comparisons & Inspirations
When writers try to understand a new thing, they instinctively compare. Here are the likely reference points and the gaps this game must fill.- Escape from Tarkov – High-stakes looting, permanent losses, tension. But EFT lacks overt horror elements.
- Hunt: Showdown – PvEvP in monster‑infested maps. But Showdown leans southern Gothic / supernatural gunslinger, not a cross‑genre Horrorverse mash.
- Dead by Daylight / DBD-style horror motifs – Monster variety, terror as mechanic mixing IPs. Grey State’s Horrorverse seems to embrace that blend. [oai_citation:22‡PCGamesN](https://www.pcgamesn.com/rules-of-engagement-the-grey-state/reveal?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- Control / Alan Wake / Lovecraftian fiction – For tone, dimension‑shifting, corruption, uncanny horror ambiance.