October 10, 2021

I'm Hyped! Hyper 5 - Early Demo Impressions

This post may contain affiliate links from places like Amazon and Green Man Gaming — and we may earn a small commission when you click these links. All earnings will go to keeping this website as minimally ad-free as possible. Learn more here.

I'm Hyped! Hyper 5 - Early Demo Impressions

By Joel | October 10, 2021

Booting up Hyper 5 was like being twelve years old again running home from school to catch the final minutes of Starblazers, Speed Racer, and Voyage into Space. Like those iconic programs of the past, indie developer Hyper Productions uses the latest 3D technology to pump up the reputable subject matter of the shoot 'em up to Hollywood blockbuster visuals. The game's main selling point here is its over-scaled action sequences that make the special effects in most movies pale in comparison.

In a terrifying future, a Hyper 5 scout ship responds to a distress beacon. Starting off only with standard lasers and missiles, the scout ship makes its way through lush levels taking aim at the spindly-limbed, whale-sized beasts that emerge from both the sky and from the ocean floor.

The gameplay itself follows the formula of traditional shooters but with a few caveats: the gameplay is often too zoomed-in for my taste, and destroying enemy targets takes too long, particularly when forced to move forward making any attempt to completely clear the levels of enemies non-existent.

The pace is also somewhat slow which is considerably noticeable and hinders the fever pitch frenzy we expect from traditional SHMUPS of the past. There is a 'Precision Mode' feature that increases the speed slightly, but even then, it still felt slow. Adding some form of scrolling to the background might increase the sensation of speed, so I'm hoping this is something the developers can implement.

Nitpicks aside, the visuals, which by itself will sell the game, are astonishing. They split the difference between classical shooters and the blurrier, more chaotic modern 3D design in a way that makes me appreciate the values of both.

Some of the whirling action has a geometric beauty that closely resembles Abstract Impressionism and each level contains a few surprises: a tactic you haven't tried, an upgrade you didn't know about, a gameplay element you didn't see coming.

Hyper 5 is a game with more emotion than its early trailers could have led you to expect. Playing the first few levels made me feel like a kid again, but acknowledging the fact that I was playing a game in the modern-day setting. I guess that's why I'm so fond of shooters as they are a part of our experience, our history, and our personal window to a time that has long since passed.

The new shooters that are being released now are as compelling as the familiar ones because they remind us that the more things change, the more they stay the same. I'm definitely optimistic that Hyper Productions will continue to improve and tweak the gameplay to make Hyper 5 the best it can be.

September 23, 2023
Blight Survival: Why Over 650,000 Gamers are Ready to Battle the Blight!

Set in a medieval purgatory between two battling kingdoms, Blight: Survival offers players a unique co-op experience where teamwork is key.

Read More
September 23, 2023
"No One Will Save You" Review is an Eerie Balance of Isolation and Intrusion

Delving into the Depths of Silence, Solitude, and Suspense with "No One Will Save You"

Read More
September 23, 2023
From Gridirons to Goalposts: Decoding Football Lingo

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a clueless newbie, there's always something new to learn, even if it's just a few fancy terms to your game-day vocabulary

Read More

POPULAR POSTS

August 1, 2020
PRIMAL LIGHT PC REVIEW - LIGHT ON GRAPHICS BUT HEAVY ON GAMEPLAY

Primal Light is a fantastic retro-inspired platformer that will challenge even the most hardened gamer. But we warned: the challenging gameplay can be off-putting to newbies

December 18, 2022
Ghostlore Breathes Fresh Life Into the Action RPG Genre

Ghostlore is an Eastpunk ARPG experience, drawing on traditional Asian folklore to create an immersive and uniquely challenging journey.

June 17, 2023
Are You Ready to Confront Your Deepest Fears? Layers of Fear (Steam) Review

Layers of Fear promised that every step forward fills your heart with trepidation, as the line between reality and nightmare blurs before your eyes.

February 8, 2022
Generation Zero 'Landfall' Update Out Now

Generation Zero’s Free “Landfall” Update, Out Now, Adds New Faction, Enemies, Rewards & More

September 19, 2021
Blast from the Past! Cruis'n Blast (Switch) Review

But the big question is whether new players will enjoy Cruis'n Blast. The answer is a definite "yes" but it will probably not hold their interest for long

envelope
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram