Vanquish is a third-person shooter game that focuses on cover tactics, similar to Gears of War , but developed by a Japanese team. The player controls Sam Gideon, a member of DARPA, who fights with the ARS (Augmented Reaction Suit) system battle-suit. This suit grants him fast reflexes and maneuverability inspired by the 1970s anime series Casshern . The story takes place in the future where the Order of the Russian Star has taken control of the Russian government and is threatening the United States.
The gameplay is very fast-paced, with Gideon's suit allowing him to boost slide into new areas for cover. He has a strong melee attack, but the focus is on ranged-weapon shooting. The game features cinematics showing off the suit's power, such as flying, which are not available in the actual gameplay. When Gideon takes too much damage, the game enters an Augmented Reality mode where time slows down, allowing for more precise firing.
The game offers various weapons, including assault rifles, machine guns, and sniper rifles, with limited ammo that can be upgraded or exchanged at pods. Players can also take over stationary turrets. The opposition consists mainly of robots and mechanized organisms, with larger bosses having highlighted weak points that need to be targeted.
The game is divided into five chapters with seven acts each, accompanied by cut-scenes that further the story. Most missions require constant movement and dodging to stay alive, with occasional Quick Time Events during larger fights.