Although Hypercharge: Unboxed has only been around for a few years, its early presence was limited to PC, where it cultivated a dedicated fan base among gamers seeking quick doses of classic first-person shooter and third-person shooter thrills. After a lukewarm Nintendo Switch launch in 2020, it has finally found new traction on Xbox, where it has thrived remarkably well and been given a second lease of life thanks to seamless crossplay.
It’s rare to witness a comeback as remarkable as this one, especially for an indie game focused on multiplayer gameplay. While making that assumption was always a high-risk strategy, it surprisingly yielded favorable results for Digital Cybercherries in the long run. The key? Building upon the unique aspects that originally defined the sport in the first instance.
While I’ve been observing hypercharge as an onlooker for a while now, my curiosity about this unique sport has grown significantly. In an era where the genre has evolved significantly, it’s rare to find modern shooters that authentically evoke the spirit of their classic predecessors, as the style has become increasingly hybridized with MOBA elements. Despite Quake Champions’ persistence and dedicated community, its latest installment struggled to break free from the monumental influence of more prominent hero-based first-person shooter franchises. While DOOM’s 2016 multiplayer modes were an underrated and solid addition to the game, they failed to garner significant attention from players, who largely overlooked their quality and depth. The Unreal Tournament reboot, a modest undertaking by Epic Games, was promptly shelved following the meteoric rise of Fortnite.
As Quake remasters gain traction and the boomershooter genre flourishes in the indie sphere, it’s surprising that no clear heir to Quake’s legacy has emerged, given Bethesda and id Software are still figuring out their next move for the franchise? While hypercharging wouldn’t address this issue, it does introduce a stable alternative unencumbered by live-service trappings or compulsory hero mechanics.
The fundamental components are in place: players select from a variety of weapon and element combinations that can be gathered throughout the game’s expansive environments. Learning controls is surprisingly straightforward. Platforming plays a crucial role in the overall motion. So what’s the primary distinction? While it may be slower-paced, making it accessible to newcomers, this relative sluggishness also caps its potential for growth and excellence somewhat. Despite this, Hypercharge has secured another straightforward victory: it plays well with both gamepads and the combination of mouse and keyboard. Regardless of whether you’re playing solo, teaming up with friends, or engaging in intense PvP combat, it’s always a Critical Sam experience.
The game offers a wealth of engaging content, allowing players to enjoy it solo, engage in local multiplayer or online matches with seamless crossplay capabilities that have strengthened the community’s bond. Despite Steam player numbers suggesting otherwise, this game has surprisingly few downtime moments, with matches readily available and quick lobby transitions, a feature that would benefit other titles like Name of Duty.
While neither the single-player nor co-op experiences leave a lasting impression, this assessment aptly summarizes Digital Cybercherries’ mission to craft a straightforward, carefree shooter for those seeking a respite from complex games or rejecting modern shooters’ evolution. Hypercharge eschews the allure of battle passes, limited-time events, and endless cycles of progression. You jump into the fray, tackling challenges, possibly crafting defences for players engaged in player-versus-environment combat, and earn vintage rewards to upgrade your avatar’s appearance.
The narrative is bolstered by an endearing, comic-book style storytelling approach, as a series of beautiful animated cutscenes guide players through the single-player and co-op experiences, further solidifying the “love letter” atmosphere that pervades the entire game. While it’s unpretentious fun, it’s evident that the developers are intensely devoted to their creation, as witnessed by the nods to popular culture sprinkled throughout the game world, which only serves to further enhance the overall refinement of the product.
During my tenure with Hypercharge: Unboxed, I have successfully navigated the vast space of giant robots, mechs, and even deadly Beyblades. Earlier, I briefly ventured into a few online matches before transitioning to on-line PvP, where I managed to top the scoreboard on occasion, reassuringly recalling my proficiency in traditional Quake. For one hour, the fun-to-minute ratio while engaging in this sport is surprisingly off the charts. I won’t fret about it or second-guess the place developers’ decisions on the issues that arise subsequently; it’s precisely why this approach works exceptionally well in brief, focused bursts.
In recent years, many multiplayer video games have struggled to maintain their appeal beyond a day’s play, especially following a long day at work – which is where Hypercharge, an innovative indie title, shines. Back when I was in high school, I would have definitely loved this again! Now, my mind has succumbed to decay, frequently craving additional stimulation. I sometimes yearn to revisit simpler times and relish the freedom of playing games without the pressure of leveling up and earning rewards.
