Damnation (video game)

Damnation is a steampunk-western themed third-person shooter video game developed by Blue Omega Entertainment and published by Codemasters in 2009. It was released for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

The game is set in an alternate history version of the United States following the American Civil War. A conflict between the corrupt industrial conglomerate, Prescott Standard Industries (PSI), and a rebel group known as the Peacekeepers, led by Rourke, forms the central narrative. The Peacekeepers seek to overthrow PSI's tyrannical control and restore freedom to the nation.

Players primarily control Rourke, utilizing acrobatic abilities and a grappling hook to navigate the large, vertical environments. The game emphasizes cooperative gameplay, allowing players to work together to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles. Other playable characters include Hamilton, Jackal, and Yakecan. Each character possesses unique abilities that complement Rourke's skillset.

Damnation features a variety of weapons typical of the shooter genre, including pistols, rifles, and shotguns, alongside steampunk-inspired devices. Combat involves both ranged gunfights and melee encounters.

The game received generally negative reviews upon release, with criticism directed at its technical issues, including frame rate problems, glitches, and AI issues. The narrative and level design were also criticized. Despite its ambitious concept, Damnation is generally considered to be a commercial and critical failure.