Halaskargâzi is a strategy game with espionage, RPG, and simulation elements set during the occupation of Istanbul in 1918-1919. Players lead resistance efforts through intelligence networks in a historically grounded environment where Allied forces patrol the streets following the Armistice of Mudros.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on building and managing an intelligence network across key districts of occupied Istanbul. Players select one of three societies to command and establish safe houses in locations such as Sultanahmet, Galata, Pera, Üsküdar, Kadıköy, and Sirkeci. Field agents are assigned from ten distinct professions, including Officer, Journalist, Porter, Merchant, Medic, Street Tough, Cleric, Fisherman, Technician, and Socialite. These agents carry out operations using more than forty skills that range from document leaks and code breaking to sabotage, bribery, assassination, forged seal engraving, ox-cart mobilization, and running an underground print shop.
Operations unfold as timed challenges where patrols from the British Military Police, French gendarmerie, and local collaborators can discover and raid locations. Players must complete objectives before detection occurs, with the option to withdraw or engage in a firefight if a raid begins. A period soundscape featuring elements like burning fuses, creaking ox-carts, and Morse code ticking reinforces the atmosphere during active missions.
Communication with the Representative Committee and Mustafa Kemal Pasha in Ankara occurs through a Morse and telegraph decryption system. Players listen to signals, manipulate cipher discs to break codes, and protect shipment routes for officers moving into Anatolia. Public opinion is influenced by publishing in period newspapers such as İkdam, İleri, and Hâkimiyet-i Milliye, including the organization of rallies modeled on historic events like the Sultanahmet Rally.
Game Modes
The primary experience revolves around progressing through the early chapters of the occupation period in Early Access. Players manage agent assignments, skill development, and operational timing within the historical map of Istanbul. A four-tier RPG skill system supports hybrid class specialization as agents advance.
Online co-op allows multiple players to coordinate under the same society, sharing control of safe houses, agents, and operations. This mode emphasizes joint planning against occupation forces and timed objectives. Later periods of the historical timeline remain planned for future updates.
Historical Setting and Progression
The game draws from real districts, societies, and more than 130 historical figures of the era. Agent progression ties directly into operational success, with skills unlocking new capabilities for espionage and resistance activities. The simulation aspects extend to managing detection risks, resource allocation for safe houses, and shifts in public support through newspaper influence.
Every decision carries consequences tied to the race against patrols and the need to maintain secrecy. The system encourages careful planning of agent deployments and skill combinations to handle varied threats from occupation authorities.
Is It Worth Playing?
Halaskargâzi suits players interested in deliberate strategy combined with espionage mechanics and light RPG progression. The Early Access state provides access to the initial chapters of the resistance narrative, with co-op support for shared sessions. Those who enjoy managing networks, timing operations, and engaging with historical themes will find the core systems rewarding. The game remains under active development, with additional periods and features planned. It appeals most to fans of simulation-heavy strategy titles that prioritize planning and historical context over fast-paced action.
