Oleander-X

What Is Oleander-X?

Oleander-X is a 2D pixel-art stealth action game created by solo developer Jason Nguyen, released on Steam on June 20, 2026. You play as an operative tasked with infiltrating heavily guarded facilities to gather evidence of classified experiments — specifically related to a cure that was never meant to exist.

The game channels classic stealth-action DNA from titles like Metal Gear (MSX era) and Mark of the Ninja, filtered through a crisp modern pixel-art aesthetic. Each mission drops you outside a facility with an objective: infiltrate, locate the evidence, plant explosives if required, and extract without raising the alarm. You're outnumbered and outgunned — stealth isn't optional, it's survival.

The pixel art is deliberate and readable. Guard vision cones, patrol routes, and environmental hazards are clearly communicated, so every failure feels like a learning opportunity rather than a cheap death. The synth-heavy soundtrack pulses with tension, shifting dynamically as your alert status changes.

How to Play Oleander-X

Oleander-X is mission-based. Each facility is a self-contained level with its own layout, guard patterns, and objective requirements. You always start outside with a brief intel summary. Then it's up to you.

Study before you move. Every guard follows a patrol route. Before entering a new area, watch for at least one full patrol cycle. Learn the rhythm. Identify blind spots. Most failures come from impatience — the guard you didn't wait for is always the one that catches you.

Stay invisible. Your primary tool is the shadows. Stick to dark areas, avoid direct sightlines, and move when guards face away. A visibility indicator on the HUD shows your current exposure level. Green means hidden. Yellow means partial cover. Red means you're about to have a bad time.

Gather evidence systematically. Each mission has multiple pieces of evidence to collect — documents, data drives, physical samples. They're scattered through offices, labs, and secure storage. Some are in plain sight; others require bypassing locked doors or disabling security systems. Collect everything before planting explosives, because once the charges are set, you're on a timer.

Know when to fight. Combat is a last resort. You have a pistol with limited ammo and a stun prod for non-lethal takedowns. If you're spotted, you have a brief window to neutralize the guard before they radio for backup. But every kill makes subsequent stealth harder — bodies are found, patrols intensify, and additional security measures activate.

Controls

• Movement: WASD
• Jump / Climb: Space
• Interact / Plant Explosives: E
• Sneak: Hold Left Shift — reduces noise and visibility at the cost of speed
• Aim / Shoot: Mouse — left click to fire, right click for precise aim
• Quick Item Switch: Q — cycle between stun prod, pistol, and gadgets
• Toggle Flashlight: F — useful in dark areas but visible to guards
• Map / Intel: Tab
• Pause: Escape

Tips and Tricks

Patience is your best weapon. The game rewards methodical play. Spend 30 seconds observing before you spend 3 seconds moving. The guard who seems unpredictable is actually following a pattern — you just haven't seen the full loop yet.

Use distractions strategically. You can throw objects to draw guards away from their posts. A well-placed bottle toss can open up an entire wing of the facility. But guards don't stay distracted forever — move quickly once they investigate.

Prioritize non-lethal when possible. Stun prods are silent and leave no evidence. A stunned guard eventually wakes up, but by then you're long gone. Save lethal force for situations where you have no other option.

The explosives timer changes everything. Once you plant charges, guards become more alert and extraction becomes urgent. Always complete your evidence collection before setting explosives. Know your exit route before you press the button.

Check your six. Guards can come from behind, especially on higher difficulties. Periodically stop and listen. Footstep audio is directional and will save your life.

Upgrade wisely. Between missions, you can spend collected intel on upgrades. Prioritize movement speed and stealth enhancements first — being harder to detect is more valuable than being better at combat.

FAQ

How many missions are in Oleander-X? The base game includes 12 core missions plus 4 bonus unlockable missions. Expect 8-10 hours for a completionist run.

Are there difficulty options? Yes — Easy, Normal, and Hard. Hard difficulty adds more guards, reduces vision cone indicators, and makes enemies more persistent in their searches.

Can you beat the game without killing anyone? Yes, a full pacifist run is possible on all missions. Non-lethal takedowns and pure avoidance are both viable paths.

Is there controller support? Full controller support is included. Many players prefer a gamepad for the precise analog movement during stealth sections.

Does Oleander-X have replay value? Missions can be replayed with different objectives, and there are time-trial and ghost (never detected) achievements for each level.

Last reviewed by Game How To Editorial.