HYPERWIRED is a top-down twin-stick shooter like many other games before it, but its unique spin on the genre by plugging into space sockets offers a fresh take.
Video game genres do not mean much nowadays. That is mainly because it feels like everything is a mashup better described as “genre-defying.” The joke that a game can be described as a “roguelike deckbuilder metroidvania” is repeated more often than not. But the truth of the matter is that these descriptors conjure images in our heads that help us clearly identify what to expect when trying a new video game. So, what is HYPERWIRED? Let’s go with a frenetic twin-stick roguelike shooter.
HYPERWIRED, caps and all, is a fresh spin on the top-down action shooter genre. Instead of positioning enemy ships from the bottom up a la Galaga, you navigate unique procedurally based courses with one specific goal in mind: to insert your plug into the satellite sockets scattered across each of them. That’s right, that is this game’s gimmick. And one that works wonderfully, I might add. Your ship has a certain amount of energy and life. This means hurriedly plugging into the various satellites on each tight-spaced level. This is where a modicum of strategy comes in.
Top-Down Fun
The first thing I noticed while booting it up is how snappy it feels. Its electronic soundtrack is pumping. The main menu offers a new run, tutorial, settings, and stats. No fluff at all in this game, just pick up and play. Decidedly, going straight for a new run like a deer in the headlights is not the way to go, so we will not talk about that.
The tutorial very straightforwardly tells you how HYPERWIRED’s simple but effective systems work. Move with the left stick, shoot with the right. With the L/L1/LB button, you can throw a bomb, and the R/R1/RB button manifests a powerful laser. Lifesaver moves in tight spots are the slow motion or dropping an emergency charger to restore your stamina.
Each run consists of spawning on the level, finding the four drifting satellites on the world, and powering them up. The issue is that while you are tethered to it, your movement is heavily reduced. And enemies, as inconsiderate as they are, will not wait until you are at full strength to start attacking you. This is where a healthy mix of the aforementioned slow-mo/special attacks/progamer movements comes in handy. After powering up the four satellites, there is a big one that helps you to move on to the next area. But not without your reward. They are not savages.
Plug n’ Shoot
In between stages, there is a choice to upgrade your ship with nifty new skills. There are over 40 upgrades that fluctuate on each run, so no getting attached to any in particular. That said, a pattern begins to emerge for different playstyles. For example, because you may run out of ammo sooner rather than later, the “Vammopire” skill regenerates ammo when your bullets hit the enemy. Another ability charges the powerless satellites faster. So, taking this into account with the 10 types of ships available, they will all aid in the fight against the bombastic bosses. Some are faster, others tankier; reaching and defeating each of these is a worthy endeavor in and of itself.
A certain type of hardcore gamer usually has three games in their rotation, or so social media says: the massive RPG to chip away at, the online shooter to play with friends, and the palate cleanser to pick up and play every once in a while. HYPERWIRED is the latter, and it does what it sets out to do quite well. Like most run-based games of its kind, progressing just a tiny bit each time only to defeat that seemingly impossible boss is not only a morale boost, but it entices you to keep going for one more run. In that sense, there is nothing more you can ask for.
HYPERWIRED is out July 2nd on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4|5, Xbox One and Series S/X.
