Upon starting a new game, you'll be presented with a choice of nine playable mercenaries. While their backstories differ, their in-game abilities are identical. Your choice is purely cosmetic and affects only the character you see in cutscenes and reflections. The other eight characters will appear as potential buddies throughout your playthrough. After selecting your character, you'll be thrust into the opening cinematic, leading to your first encounter with the Jackal and the harsh realities of the conflict. Pay attention to the tutorial prompts that appear during the initial sequence, as they introduce fundamental movement and interaction controls.
