HYPER JAM
PS4
XO
PC
Platform: PS4, XBOX ONE, PC Genre: Top-Down Action ESRB: Teen Publisher: Bit Dragon Developer: Bit Dragon
W
Hyper Jam offers a fast and furious experience in both local and online play
ith an easy to
understand
traversal/aim
learning curve, atop
a cleverly designed combat system,
Hyper Jam waste no time becoming
an enticing top-down competitive
arena3rd person shooter. Hyper Jam
is a satisfying reason to get your
buds together for an entertaining
good time establishing bragging
rights. However what sets it apart is
how the game empowers the player,
despite its straightforward
composition.
Dropped into a meat grinder
arena setting and Hyper Jam quickly
becomes a game of critical
movement seamlessly integrated with
leveraging your chosen weapon, as
well as the optional tools of
destruction which randomly litter the
playing field.
with truly satisfying gameplay
With each game starting off the
same, within a variety of maps,
unfortunately characters are simply
skins with no unique attributes, so
each character basically plays the
same. What actually separates the
players from one another aside from
their skin are the weapons and how
they distinctly deal punishing
damage.
Interestingly, with today’s playing
field of games offering hero
characters with distinct powers and
abilities, initially I thought this was a
missed opportunity for a game of this
style and arrangement. Yet, after a
few hours mastering the controls and
particular map designs, and
strategically selecting between the
vast assortment of character perk
enhancements, it was no longer a
concern. The players style of
engagement is dynamically
augmented with each new match and
with success you will feel uniquely
powerful.
While the characters may lack
exclusive abilities by default, the
gameplay is supported by a
collection of varied maps, all of which
offering a competitive edge in your
favor and your demise. Too much
concentrating on re-positioning
yourself for that killing blow and you
may forget about the speedy train, or
lets not forget about the intimidating
hole that rotates throughout the
match, which must be avoided. While
there are several instance in this
fashion, how you engage your enemy
within these map variations is key.
The objective here is to outlast the
other opponents as long as possible,
by doing so players acquire more
points.
Keeping matters on an even
playing field, the perk system here is
great, establishing each character
with their own specialties for each
match. These perks are introduced to
players at the conclusion of a match,
with such skills as Overdrive which
increase a players attack speed,
Turbo Dash which decreases dash
cooldown, Vampirism which by
dealing damage heals the player,
Survivor which allows players to
survive fatal attacks. There are also
other perks such as Blood Rage,
Predator, Cryogenesis, Cyberheart,
Mindcrush including many others. If
you are the player in last place of the
previous match, the game allows you
to choose from the list of perks first,
in order to give you a fighting chance
on the next go around.
In addition, perks have levels and
can be multiplied or stacked to any
character, adding to your characters
overall dexterity. The gameplay
design adds an attractive method of
strategy to the experience. This
method of character progression
essentially allows players to tailor
their characters abilities according to
the advantages and disadvantageous
of the opponents characters perks,
and how these abilities are
appropriated is the difference
between victory and death.
When it comes to weapons
players can start off with a katana,
rocket launcher, hammer or a trusty
bow. Each weapon obviously
promotes a different approach, yet
thankfully the balancing act here is
leveled. The hammer can be
punishing while the katana is swift
and deadly, the choice is up to you.
The more I played the more my
weapon selection was dictated by the
map and opponent, as every
weapons feels extremely useful. What
is currently on tap within this limited
weapon selection is quite satisfying,
however the inclusion of a larger
selection of weapons would certainly
add to the fun factor.
Hyper Jam offers a fast and
furious experience in both local and
online play with truly satisfying
gameplay. Sure, the learning curve of
the movement took awhile getting
used to, however once you become
confident and efficient with the
games play style, Hyper Jam can be
hard to put down.
At the moment Hyper Jam,
despite its singular game mode and
weapon selection is a super great
time. When you’re having this much
fun it is certainly hard to complain,
yet, after a week of pouring in hours
of gameplay, things are sort of
becoming repetitive. Here’s hoping
developer Bit Dragon manages to
boost the experience with new maps,
modes, weapons and perks.
Hyper Jam is a blast!
8.0