Cyberpulse Review (Steam)

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Cyberpulse Review, Slam your way through waves of viruses and hurl your friends through cyberspace in this flashy arcade thrower that combines classic twin-stick action with inventive physics for an electrifying adventure. Master novel mechanics that offer a new take to a classic genre: Instead of shooting bullets, you control cyberkinetic forces to fling, yank, and blast your foes directly into molten firewalls. Use your cybership to hurl an adversary or discharge devastating power-ups and send everything flying!

Cyberpulse Review Pros:

  • Decent neon bright graphics.
  • 2.56GB Download size.
  • Steam achievements.
  • Full controller support.
  • Graphics settings – resolution, v-sync, fullscreen, and graphics quality preset.
  • Three controller presets – default, sticks, and inverted.
  • Mouse sensitivity slider.
  • Two initial game modes – campaign, and versus.
  • Versus is up to four local players.
  • The campaign supports local co-op play.
  • Four ships – Topaz, Emerald, Amethyst, and Cobalt Falcon. (purely cosmetic)
  • World map level selected in the campaign mode.
  • Opening tutorial levels.
  • Online leaderboards for each level.
  • Collect bytes from destroyed enemies to build your multiplier.
  • The gimmick is you have this gravity circle in front of you, hitting enemies with this circle allows you to aim and knock them around and into other enemies.
  • The dash button gets you around fast and lets you dash through obstacles.
  • An ever charging up orbs dictate how much you can dash.
  • Arena-based shooter gameplay.
  • Has a Mutant Storm Reloaded feel and look to it rather than a Geometry Wars.
  • Excellent upbeat soundtrack.
  • You earn one to three energy cells in a level based on your score performance.
  • Collect power-ups and increase the size of your gravity circle.
  • The arenas are on a pivot and move around slightly with you.
  • A true arcade experience.
  • It’s a game where the more you play the more you learn and you can get a great deal of satisfaction.
  • During the campaign, you unlock and play different game mode types, and you get to choose your route through the ever-growing Web of levels.
  • It is a visual treat.
  • Does a good job of ramping the enemy and difficulty back up after a death.
  • Fast loading times.
  • Unlock alternate paths and secret stages on the campaign world map.
  • Arenas change shape which adds a lot to the variety.
  • Big clever boss battles that each has a unique gimmick or attack in it.
  • You fill in a list of enemies encountered and you get a bit of info on them, weak points, and it keeps a tally of how many you have killed.

Cyberpulse Review Cons:

  • The aiming of ships with your circle takes a lot of getting used to.
  • Cannot remap the controls.
  • No online multiplayer or Co-op.
  • All the flashy neon and explosions can make it really hard to distinguish between enemies, bytes, and enemy fire.
  • The gravity circle moves with you and isn’t controlled separately which takes some getting used to.
  • Not all game modes or mechanics are explained well or sometimes not at all.

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Cyberpulse:

Official website.

Developer: ScherzoGames

Publisher: Digital Tribe

Store Links – 

Steam

  • 7/10
    Graphics - 7/10
  • 7/10
    Sound - 7/10
  • 7/10
    Accessibility - 7/10
  • 7/10
    Length - 7/10
  • 7/10
    Fun Factor - 7/10
7/10

Summary

Cyberpulse offers a visually striking experience with its neon-bright graphics and a manageable download size of 2.56GB. The game supports Steam achievements and full controller compatibility, enhancing its accessibility. Players can adjust various graphics settings, including resolution, v-sync, fullscreen, and graphics quality presets. The game also provides three controller presets and a mouse sensitivity slider, catering to different play styles.

The game features two initial modes: campaign and versus. The versus mode supports up to four local players, while the campaign allows for local co-op play. Players can choose from four ships—Topaz, Emerald, Amethyst, and Cobalt Falcon—though these are purely cosmetic. The campaign mode includes a world map for level selection and starts with tutorial levels to help players get acquainted with the mechanics. Online leaderboards add a competitive edge, allowing players to compare their scores on each level.

One of the unique aspects of “Cyberpulse” is the gravity circle mechanic, which lets players aim and knock enemies around. The dash button enables quick movement and the ability to dash through obstacles, with the number of dashes dictated by ever-charging orbs. The gameplay is arena-based, reminiscent of “Mutant Storm Reloaded” rather than “Geometry Wars,” and features an excellent upbeat soundtrack. Players can earn one to three energy cells per level based on their performance, collect power-ups, and increase the size of their gravity circle. The arenas pivot and move slightly, adding to the arcade experience.

The game rewards persistence, as the more you play, the more you learn, leading to a satisfying experience. The campaign mode allows players to unlock and play different game modes and choose their route through an ever-growing web of levels. The game does a good job of ramping up enemy difficulty after a death and features fast loading times. However, aiming with the gravity circle takes some getting used to, and the controls cannot be remapped. The game lacks online multiplayer or co-op, and the flashy neon effects can make it difficult to distinguish between enemies, bytes, and enemy fire. Additionally, not all game modes or mechanics are well-explained.

“Cyberpulse” also includes alternate paths and secret stages on the campaign world map, with arenas that change shape to add variety. The game features big, clever boss battles, each with unique gimmicks or attacks. Players can fill in a list of encountered enemies, learn about their weak points, and keep a tally of how many they have killed.

In summary, Cyberpulse is a visually appealing arcade shooter with a unique gravity circle mechanic and a variety of game modes. While it offers a satisfying and challenging experience, it has some drawbacks, such as the inability to remap controls and the lack of online multiplayer. Despite these issues, the game provides a rewarding experience for those who enjoy arena-based shooters.

Jim Smale

Gaming since the Atari 2600, I enjoy the weirdness in games counting Densha De Go and RC De Go as my favourite titles of all time. I prefer gaming of old where buying games from a shop was a thing, Being social in person was a thing. Join me as I attempt to adapt to this new digital age!