We Love It's Guide to…
Command CERC forces against a spreading infection, building defenses and deploying troops to contain hordes and hunt Patient Zero.
Released 15 May 2020
Hunt Patient Zero
Build Quarantine Defenses
Command Land, Sea, Air
Cepheus Protocol is an Open World RTS Military Survival Game. Play as the CERC hunting Patient 0, maintain Quarantine camps, fight dangerous mutations & Rogue Civilian Combatants . There’s nobody else coming, it’s up to you now.
Developed by Halcyon Winds · Published by Halcyon Winds
You command CERC, a military outbreak-response force trying to contain the Pangu Virus in the Bay Area and stop Patient Zero. Infected people become hostile, and the outbreak can spread across the map.
Deploy squads and vehicles, establish bases and defenses, manage supplies, and fight infected forces across urban areas. Your choices about where to build and send troops shape how you hold ground against the growing threat.
The game combines real-time strategy with direct control of an Operator in third-person. Operators gain experience and can be customized, while a Doctrine tree unlocks support options, weapons, and units; Pandemic Mode also offers settings for adjusting the challenge.
Players who enjoy Cepheus Protocol often point to its unusual military response to a zombie outbreak and the mix of squad command, base defense, and direct Operator control. Some find planning defenses and confronting large hordes engaging, and appreciate the customization options. Reviews also frequently describe the experience as unfinished or frustrating, with concerns about changing versions, unit behavior, onboarding, and balance.
An Open World RTS Military Survival Game. Command CERC (Center for Epidemic Research and Control) to stop a pandemic-level event from consuming the Bay Area. The Pangu Virus threatens humanity as it spreads, turning native inhabitants into infected, relentless swarms. Can you adapt, survive, and reclaim control?
Aircraft Carrier Operations
Your mobile base of operations in Pandemic Mode. If it’s destroyed, you lose. Defend it at all costs and utilize Winters, now a rebuildable hero, to lead your forces.
A New Threat Rises
Battle infected hordes that can infect and turn your own units. Command land, sea, and air forces to hold the line in this unforgiving world.
Co-Op Multiplayer up to 16 players in true RTS/TPS hybrid combat!
Share control of CERC operations with up to 16 players. Pool resources, coordinate tactics, and fight as a team against the infection.
Command the Operator
Control the battlefield in Third-Person Shooter mode or use the Operator as a hero unit in RTS mode. Adapt your strategies to survive.
Doctrine Tree Progression
Unlock new support options, powerful weapons, and unique units by leveling up through the Doctrine tree.
Customize Pandemic Mode
Create your perfect challenge. Turn off infected types, adjust gameplay options, and create custom scenarios to tailor the experience.
Character Progression
Improve your characters’ health and targeting efficiency as they gain experience through combat.
Line of Sight and Hearing AI
Experience cutting-edge AI that hunts your units based on what they can see and hear. Stay stealthy, or face overwhelming swarms.
Massive, Detailed Maps
Explore sprawling urban environments filled with varied locales. Plan every attack, defense, and civilian evacuation carefully to ensure survival.
Dynamic Civilian Diplomacy (Legacy Only Coming in Q2 to rebuild)
Interact with rogue civilian groups. Recruit them to your cause, negotiate alliances, or defend yourself from hostile factions.
Civilian Evacuation (Legacy Only Coming in March to rebuild)
Manage who lives and dies with an intricate Civilian Administration Structure. Customize your intake system or use preset templates to make critical decisions.
Research the Pangu Virus
Delve into the secrets of the alien pathogen and find a way to kill Patient 0 before it’s too late.
Hunt Patient 0 and Their Lieutenants
Stop the infection from spreading by targeting its leaders. Destroy their expanding hordes before they consume every province.
Dynamic Provincial Events
Encounter unexpected challenges as rogue civilian combatants and infected groups form dynamically across the map. Your reputation and decisions will shape the world around you.
Enhanced Operator Customization
Tailor weapons, abilities, and appearance. Drive vehicles, gain progression perks, and refine your playstyle for maximum impact.
DNA Research System
Develop a proper progression tree to counter the virus, protect your units, and evolve your strategies.
Canon Campaign Mode
Experience the official Cepheus Protocol story, inspired by the novel and side stories
| Platforms | Windows |
|---|---|
| Achievements | 5 |
| Age ratings |
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| Controller support | Xbox |
| Controller required | No |
| DLC / extras | 7 listed on Steam |
| DRM / EULA |
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| Content notices |
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| Website | Official website |
