Inspired by films such as Bad Boys and Bad Boys II, and a raft of games including Virtua Cop, Action Quake, F.E.A.R, and SuperHot – RICO is a contemporary first-person action shooter, which throws players into the roles of loose cannon police detectives given just twenty-four hours to solve a case and bring down a network of organised criminals.

Playing either solo or partnering-up cooperatively via split screen or online, gameplay is kept simple as players kick down doors and take down criminals in their pursuit of their own brand of justice.

Planning is tactical rather than strategic, players must react in the moment to shootouts as they unfurl. A burst of slow-motion gameplay as players breach a room gives them a necessary advantage over their numerous opposition. Ammo and enemies are plentiful, and combat is punchy and impactful, supported by an extensive destruction system that ensure every shot looks and feels great.

Every case, objective, and environment is randomly generated, ensuring each playthrough is different, and the game’s longevity is sustained with a rich collection of unlockable weapons, traits, enemies, environments.

The game’s title stands for “Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations” Act, a United States federal law relating to criminal organizations. But forget that! Just kick down doors, shoot bad guys, and exploit the element of surprise to gain the upper hand against overwhelming odds, in this cooperative multiplayer first person shooter. Partner up with a friend in local couch co-op or online, to blast through an ever-changing series of procedurally generated levels. Come back every day for daily challenges and, as you play, unlock weapons, weapon customizations, and new “traits”– gameplay affecting rewards that modify, enhance and dramatically alter your characters’ abilities.

Rising Star Games has entered into a publishing partnership with UK-based developer Ground Shatter, to bring the arcade-paced, action-movie inspired, sensory onslaught that is RICO, to digital storefronts of all major gaming formats in Fall 2018.

“With their worldwide reach and extensive routes to market, Rising Star Games is a shining example of what a modern games publisher can be,” said James Parker, game director at Ground Shatter. “We are delighted that RICO forms part of what looks to be a bold and hugely exciting 2018 line-up.”

“We’re excited to welcome the explosive action and bullet-time fueled gameplay of RICO into Rising Star Games’s slate of releases for 2018,” said Martin Defries, President of Rising Star Games. “It’s great to be working together, ‘buddy cop’-style with esteemed developer Ground Shatter, in order to bring the visceral and frenetic action of RICO to a global audience.”

Key Features

• Compete against the clock to solve a case in 24 hours
• Online Co-op and Offline split-screen play
• "Daily play" with online leaderboards
• Randomly generated cases, operations, and environments
• Unlockable weapons, traits, and mission types

RICO will be available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC (Steam) this Fall.