PAX East 2025: Pigface’s Gameplay Slaughters Pairing Kinetic FPS With Retro Aesthetic

“You’re a terrible person who has done awful things, and now your past has finally caught up to you. As you wake up in an abandoned warehouse covered in your own blood, you hear a phone ring from across the room. They’ve drilled a bomb into your head, and now they have a job for you.” That’s the description for Pigface. DreadXP paired the game’s announcement with a proper station at PAX East this past weekend to give attendees a taste of the new project.

Even giving press only a hint to a new mystery game, it did pique interest. Given some time for a hands-on with Pigface, the game is shaping to be one of the biggest standouts for PAX East. As the synopsis describes, you play as an ex-con now equipped to do the bidding of an unknown shot caller. And that plays well into the tutorial that kicks off the game.

As the description further reads: “Pigface is a kinetic, fast-paced, ultra-violent first-person shooter where you fulfill contracts for those holding you hostage. Use shotguns, rifles, pistols, hammers, landmines, grenades … it doesn’t matter. Just Get The Job Done.” And Pigface wastes no time to get you into the action. The exposition runs you through a training course to get a feel for the firearms & melee combat. 

And for a game that just made its debut outside of Itch.io, Pigface is already in a very good state for the feel of the controls. From whipping around corners paired with close-quarter combat in its gunplay brings a refreshing experience with just my short time playing. Between guns & melee options can offer a diversified playstyle that is good on the eyes. The other characteristic for Pigface that is welcomed is its visual choices.

Alongside the VHS overtone, its grungy depiction of early 2000s 3D titles only complements the bloody massacre that happens on-screen. As you shoot through the adversary gangs in each mission, you’ll find appendages as well as heads popping off your victims. For how smooth the gameplay feels, it’s the most natural sensation from it all. My only complaint was how enemies can overwhelm you at times; which can be overcome if playing tactically.

The game also features a hub-like setting between missions which opens to more narrative and customization. There you can unlock more for your loadout and abilities. On the Steam page, it reads: “Find and unlock a variety of masks that enhance your ability to kill,” which was not really showcased in the PAX build. Alongside the slow-mo feature in the Itch.io demo, that is where my guess abilities will be incorporated.

You can wishlist Pigface by heading here.

Pigface is listed for PC.