Hundred Fires: OPEN VECTOR - Episode 1 is a single-player action-adventure game that blends stealth, strategy, and fast combat on PC. Set in an alternate Cold War where ancient technology disrupts global power, the title follows Merche as she infiltrates facilities to secure mysterious weapons for the Open Vector organization. The experience centers on deliberate choices between silent approaches and direct confrontations, supported by environmental interaction and narrative sequences.
Gameplay
Core gameplay revolves around infiltration missions where players control Merche, an expert in stealth and close-quarters fighting. The katana serves as the main tool for both combat and puzzle-solving. Free cutting lets players slice through enemies or obstacles in fluid motion, while precision cutting targets specific points like cables or structural weak spots to create new routes or disable threats. This system integrates directly into exploration, allowing environmental changes that open paths or solve puzzles without relying solely on combat.
When direct action becomes necessary, players switch to a selection of firearms including pistols and submachine guns, along with medkits for recovery and Ancient Weapons for high-impact moments. Missions incorporate high-speed chases, vehicle sections, and set pieces that shift the pace from careful movement to intense sequences. Boss encounters and moments of controlling larger machinery add variety, demanding quick adaptation to different scales of engagement. The alternate Cold War backdrop influences mission design through hidden facilities and faction tensions, with story elements revealing personal connections for the protagonist.
Game Modes
The game operates as a linear single-player campaign without separate multiplayer or competitive modes. Progression follows a story-driven structure where each mission builds on infiltration objectives. Players retain freedom within missions to shift between stealth tactics and open combat based on situation and preference. Environmental puzzles tie into both exploration and combat flow, encouraging repeated attempts to refine approaches. No additional modes such as survival challenges or co-op elements appear in the verified description of the experience.
Story and Setting
The narrative unfolds in a reimagined Cold War era where the United States and Soviet Union compete for ancient technology that bends physical laws. Open Vector operates independently to prevent either superpower from dominating these artifacts. Merche's assignments expand beyond standard recovery tasks, uncovering links to her father's past stories that blend myth with reality. Cinematic cutscenes and character focus drive the plot forward, positioning Episode 1 as the start of a larger arc within the Hundred Fires universe. The setting emphasizes secrecy, impossible devices, and shifting alliances that shape mission contexts.
Is It Worth Playing?
This title suits players who enjoy methodical stealth combined with responsive melee combat and occasional bursts of action in a compact, story-led package. The integration of cutting mechanics with both combat and puzzle elements provides consistent engagement across missions, while the alternate history framing adds context without overwhelming the core loop. Availability on PC makes it accessible for those interested in indie action-adventure experiences that prioritize player agency in approach over expansive open worlds. Those seeking short, focused campaigns with strong narrative beats and varied mission pacing will find the structure rewarding, especially if they appreciate choices between shadows and direct confrontation.