ArcRunner - The Action-Packed Cyberpunk-Themed Roguelite
Who doesn't remember games like Cuphead and Dark Souls, famous and infamous for their difficulty level? Nowadays, the gaming community has agreed that games can offer more than just competitive challenges. Trickjump Games' action-packed Roguelite ArcRunner combines the classic perfectionism with a cyberpunk twist.
Before its release, I was not familiar with ArcRunner, but the cyberpunk theme quickly caught my attention. The neon-lit cityscape is full of machines and buildings, with cybernetic enhancements and energy explosions on the screen. The game's soundtrack perfectly underscores the action-packed gameplay as you navigate through different levels, dodging sparks and explosions. Visually, ArcRunner is a masterpiece that offers a realistic depiction of a world where you must free the Arc from its AI enslavement.
Character selection and gameplay mechanics
At the beginning of the game, players must choose between two initial characters - the agile ninja or the defensive soldier. I found the ninja to be best suited for my playstyle, with its stealth ability and katana combos. The soldier, on the other hand, is equipped with an AoE hammer and can deploy shields to deflect certain attacks.
Weapon arsenal and strategic decisions
Although players start with a pistol that fires slow-moving energy projectiles, they can acquire other weapons throughout the game. Each weapon presents a challenge that allows the player to equip it in later runs. Experimenting with different weapons provides an additional incentive to gain advantages in future gameplay.
In addition to weapons, players can also use grenades, turrets, and other devices to enhance their strategy. These items have different cooldowns and durations, offering players a variety of options that suit their playstyle. However, in the early stages of ArcRunner, the limited variety of items can be somewhat monotonous, especially when loot boxes contain rejected items.
Mods and Nanites - the upgrade system
Nevertheless, some weapons can be enhanced with specific mods, which counteracts this problem, especially for players aiming for specific builds. Mods are rewarded at the end of each level along with Nanites, a type of upgrade currency. Players can use Nanites to unlock new abilities or improve attributes such as health or damage before each run.
Conclusion: ArcRunner - a challenging and visually stunning roguelike
ArcRunner is a challenging roguelike game that will appeal to both fans of the genre and newcomers. The neon-lit cyberpunk world provides a stunning backdrop for the action-packed gameplay. With a variety of weapons and items to collect and strategic decisions to make in character development, ArcRunner offers hours of gameplay and replay value.
Although the game can be somewhat monotonous in the early stages, the upgrade system with mods and Nanites ensures that each run feels fresh and encourages players to try out different strategies and builds. If you're a fan of roguelikes and cyberpunk settings, you should definitely try ArcRunner!
