HYPERCHARGE: Unboxed is the nostalgia-infused action romp that you never knew you needed. This fast-paced and addictive title will keep you busy for hours. Moreover, its acid-trip colour palette and journey down memory lane will make lovers of the 80s and early 90s giddy with excitement.
Thanks to the multitude of game modes, cooperative action and competitive arenas, this is an FPS and 3rd person shooter that ticks many boxes. However, the collectathon nature and basic defence system may annoy some gamers. Accordingly, it had to be careful to balance the books.
This wave-based adventure title was developed and published by Digital Cybercherries Limited. Furthermore, it can be enjoyed alone, cooperatively or competitively with friends, or against bots. Either way, you’ll love the sassy one-liners, the range of action figures, and the impressive arsenal of weapons. Additionally, the clichéd story feels like an extract from Toy Story, so, what’s not to like?
HYPERCHARGE: Unboxed tells a story of heroes and villains.
80s cartoons were moralistic, zany, and often unforgettable. I’m a child of this era, so I’m somewhat biased. However, many people agree that the cartoons and comics are some of the best that have ever been created. Consequently, when a game utilises this at its core, you know that it’s going to be a winner.
HYPERCHARGE: Unboxed demands that you control an army of action-figure heroes. These plastic, OTT warriors must protect their hypercore from waves of evil minions and the diabolical mindset of Major Evil. Sergeant Max Ammo must utilise his skills and his band of moulded friends if he wishes to complete every objective and save the day.
Plenty of action to go around.
The core gameplay is divided into a multitude of modes. At the centre sits the campaign option. Here, solo warriors or a group of friends must explore a plethora of stages. Each arena has collectables to find and a handful of hypercores to protect. Furthermore, you’ll find building blocks to create Lego-esque defences and a handful of collectables to complete side missions. The complexity of each arena was enjoyable to explore, and I loved the larger-than-life settings and the tongue-in-cheek approach.
The waves of monsters are challenging but well-balanced. As you progress, new weapons and attachments become available. Moreover, during each spawn, you are free to explore every level. This secondary mode allows you to hunt for collectables and complete side missions. Additionally, you can repair your defences and plan for the next attack.
I loved the freedom to explore and the whacky things you find. Furthermore, some interesting parkour elements test your skills. Though it wasn’t essential, it was fun nonetheless.
Multiplayer action.
Full disclosure, the online servers were down during the review period. Accordingly, my thoughts are focused on the bot action. The developers have incorporated 5 unique multiplayer experiences. Each mode is competitive, addictive, and guaranteed to make you scream. Moreover, each death match, infestation, or “capture the flag” uses the campaign arenas. Consequently, you’ll be familiar with the layout and each vantage point.
My computer opponents tested my resolve and patience. Each skilled action hero can shoot you in the blink of an eye. Alternatively, you can tone down the difficulty setting and run riot. Whatever you choose, you’ll have a whale of a time tackling your foes. Word of warning, though, there is a high possibility that this could turn into a toxic nightmare. The spawn points are predictable and this could encourage spawn camping. Furthermore, cross-play may make things unbalanced and ruin the core nature of the action.
If the developers create a method of levelling the field and reducing the toxicity, then HYPERCHARGE: Unboxed has a real chance to succeed. The nostalgia-infused gameplay is wonderful to experience. Additionally, the range of weapons and tasks at hand makes this stand out from its peers.
A quagmire of shooters.
HYPERCHARGE: Unboxed is competing against an array of massive titles. Furthermore, trying to grasp a small percentage of the shooter marketplace is easier said than done. Luckily, the light-hearted nature of the action and the vibrant and interesting world delivers a unique selling point. Moreover, the customisable modes and range of weapons make it different from other titles.
Alongside this, the developer has focused on non-microtransition unlocks. This refreshing approach rewards hard work and removes the financial burden. What’s more, it makes you dive back in if you wish to complete every task and unlock all the action figures. This wasn’t a concern for me, as I’m not a completionist. Yet, I know this will inspire plenty of players to return repeatedly.
HYPERCHARGE: Unboxed is well polished.
Though much of the gameplay focuses on a comic book/cartoon style, HYPERCHARGE: Unboxed is extremely well-polished. The animation is smooth and the ability to change your perspective was impressive. I adored the move from 1st and 3rd person action as it made shooting and exploration much easier. Alongside this, the detail of each action figure was impressive, and I loved the weaponry and oversized objects.
The gameplay can become hectic and overbearing. Yet, I encountered no bugs nor were there any frame rate problems. Alongside this, even though the maps were complex, I found navigating the obstacles and chasms to be an enjoyable experience. Yes, the parkour elements were challenging, but this made it much more rewarding when you completed each objective.
The audio is unbelievably loud! Between the music, sound effects, and sound bites, the game rips into your eardrums. Though this sounds uncomfortable, I cherished the cacophony of sounds. Moreover, it was impressive to hear the range of tones and bass from each unique weapon. My only complaint would be the repetitive sound bites. Had each hero had more to say, then the gameplay would have been improved.
The controls take some getting used to.
The control layout is well-considered, and the tutorial is thorough, interesting, and easily accessible. However, it took me ages to get used to the controls. Unlike other games in the genre, HYPERCHARGE: Unboxed doesn’t follow a stereotypical layout. Subsequently, it can become confusing, especially if you flit between shooting games.
Replay value and longevity are plain to see. Though the campaign mode is repetitive, there are enough objectives and side quests to keep you going. Furthermore, there are different difficulty settings to test your skills. Yet, where this excels is the multiplayer action. If you have a great group of friends, you will play this for hours. What’s more, the ability to enjoy cross-play will enhance your options further.
HYPERCHARGE: Unboxed is a fantastic nostalgic title.
There are not enough action figure games. Accordingly, HYPERCHARGE: Unboxed does a great job of ticking that box. If you cherish collectathons, and you adore shooting titles, then this is the game for you. Moreover, the ability to play this solo or with friends cooperatively or competitively enhances the gameplay experience. Consequently, I love this whacky, fun, and nostalgia-infused game. Missing this title would be madness! Madness, I tell you! As such, don’t be foolish and buy your copy here! Being a hero isn’t an easy job. Grab your friends, pick a weapon and protect your hypercore.
