Deceive Inc.
A spy-themed hero extraction shooter with holographic disguises.
Deceive Inc. is a 2023 first-person shooter from Quebec City-based Sweet Bandits Studios and publisher Tripwire Interactive. Players take on the role of a spy, working against rival spy teams to recover a package. The game mixes hero shooter and extraction shooter mechanics. Each spy carries a holographic projector that lets them disguise themselves as a non-player character or, in some cases, an object, as long as they don't fire their weapon. Shooting or getting shot blows their cover. To reach the package, players must disable vault terminals to open the map's vault. They can also impersonate a VIP to enter restricted zones and gather better resources, though this makes them more noticeable to others.
The roster includes eleven characters, each sorted into a class that defines their playstyle. Vanguards like Chavez, Squire, and Vigil are described as well-rounded, self-reliant fighters. Chavez uses a six-round revolver and can become briefly invincible. Squire wields a silenced pistol and can scan for loot. Vigil carries a pistol and deploys gadgets that create smoke, detect enemies, or jam objects. Trackers—Ace, Cavaliere, and Sasori—focus on finding and hunting targets. Ace has a sniper rifle and can trail enemies she aims at. Cavaliere uses dual pistols and can track foes by investigating items they recently touched. Sasori fires darts and uses a wakizashi, able to coat them in crippling poison temporarily. Scoundrels—Madame Xiu, Larcin, and Red—are sly and use dirty tricks. Madame Xiu has a rapid-fire crossbow and can teleport to a chosen character. Larcin carries a pocket pistol and can turn invisible for short periods. Red uses an assault rifle and can instantly regain her cover while debuffing enemies. Disruptors—Hans, Yu-Mi, and Octo—control space and disrupt fights. Hans has a hand-mounted shotgun and can fire an orb that slows enemies and disables their expertise. Yu-Mi uses a slingshot that fires pellets to destroy enemy gadgets, disable disguises, and slow targets. Octo wields an intel-powered semi-automatic rifle and uses intel-based abilities to gain an advantage.
The game launched for Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on March 21, 2023. In December 2024, the developer announced that Deceive Inc.
- Developer
- Sweet Bandits Studios
- Publisher
- Tripwire Interactive
- Release date
- March 21, 2023
- Platforms
- Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
- Number of playable characters
- 11
- Classes
- Vanguard, Tracker, Scoundrel, Disruptor
- Metacritic reception
- PC and Xbox Series X/S versions received positive reviews; PlayStation 5 version received mixed reviews
Lore & Background
Deceive Inc. was developed by Sweet Bandits Studios, based in Quebec City, Canada, and published by Tripwire Interactive. The game launched on March 21, 2023, for Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. In December 2024, the developer announced the game would no longer receive updates, stating they were unable to get Deceive Inc. 'in a state in which it could thrive' and could no longer continue development.
Gameplay centers on players using a holographic projector to hide their identity as a non-player character or camouflage into an object, with shooting or being shot revealing their identity. To retrieve a package, players must disable vault terminals to open the map's vault. Masquerading as a VIP grants access to forbidden areas but stands out to other players.
The game features eleven playable characters split into four classes: Vanguards (well-rounded, self-reliant fighters), Trackers (focus on finding and hunting targets), Scoundrels (use dirty tricks), and Disruptors (control space and disturb fights). Each character has unique weapons and expertise abilities, such as Chavez's temporary invincibility, Ace's ability to trail enemies, or Larcin's invisibility.
Reader's Guide
Deceive Inc. received positive reviews on PC and Xbox Series X/S, while the PlayStation 5 version received mixed reviews, according to Metacritic. OpenCritic assessed the game received fair approval, recommended by 53% of critics. PC Gamer called it a 'creative blend of sneaking and shooting that will have squads coming back for more.' NME described it as 'a fantastic multiplayer game' that fans of the genre will enjoy despite its confusing progression system. Shacknews praised it as 'creative, both visually and conceptually' and 'a blast to experience, just as long as you have friends at the ready.' Push Square said it is 'a solid starting point with a great premise' but needs better gunplay and more content. The game's significance lies in its unique blend of hero shooter and extraction shooter mechanics, with a focus on disguise and deception. Its legacy is marked by positive critical reception but ultimately discontinued support due to the developer's inability to sustain the game.
Did You Know?
- The game has eleven playable characters split into four classes: Vanguard, Tracker, Scoundrel, and Disruptor.
- Players can hide as a non-player character or camouflage into an object using a holographic projector, as long as they do not shoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Deceive Inc.?
Deceive Inc. is a 2023 first-person shooter developed by Sweet Bandits Studios in Quebec City and published by Tripwire Interactive, released on March 21, 2023 for Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. It blends hero-shooter team combat with extraction-shooter objectives built around a spy disguise mechanic.
What do players actually do in Deceive Inc.?
You play as one of eleven spies whose goal is to infiltrate a map, disable vault terminals, and recover a package while rival spy teams try to stop you. Your core tool is a holographic projector that lets you blend in as an NPC or even an object, but the instant you fire your weapon or take a hit, your cover breaks.
How does a match in Deceive Inc. end?
A round concludes when a team successfully disables the vault terminals to unlock the map's vault and secures the package, or when rival teams eliminate the infiltrators before they can extract. The extraction-shooter structure means surviving the encounter matters just as much as completing the objective.
What classes are available in Deceive Inc.?
The eleven playable spies are sorted into four roles—Vanguard, Tracker, Scoundrel, and Disruptor—each offering a different tactical niche in the team-based infiltration gameplay. Your class choice shapes how you approach disguising, disabling terminals, and engaging rival spies.
Why is Deceive Inc. notable among 2020s FPS games?
It stands out for fusing a hero-shooter identity system with extraction-shooter tension, all centered on a single disguise mechanic that forces constant risk management. Few 2020s titles make 'avoiding getting shot' the central skill check the way Deceive Inc. does with its holographic cover system.
More in First-Person Shooters of the 2020s, Part 1 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced