Review: Hyperparasite (PlayStation 4)

by Jim Smale · April 30, 2020

A rogue-lite twin-stick shooter/brawler that never plays the same twice. Collect and control 60 different characters as the body-snatching alien Parasite with a grudge against humanity. Fight to the top of the food chain: possess the President, push the Big Red Button and one-up the human race.

Pros:

Pixel art graphics.
1.89gb download size.
Platinum trophy.
Rebind controls.
Twin-stick shooter gameplay.
Tutorial area. (optional)
The story mode has 5 acts.
Auto-aim shot strength slider.
Pixel resolution-low or high.
Show damage/minimap/control pop ups-on/off.
Gimmick-You, play as a parasite that can inhabit enemies and take over as they become a host. Take on that enemy’s health and attack.
Roguelike.
Minimap uncovers as you play.
Goo puddles-absorb these and you get a choice of 3 upgrades.
Difficult.
Brains-drop randomly from enemies and what you Do with them is drop them off at Wittos and pay the price to unlock that enemy to be inhabitable.
Runs randomize every run.
Nails the 80s atmosphere.
Mini-boss and boss fights.
Environmental destruction from boxes, barrels, and vehicles.
Almanac-shows u nocked characters.
Cameo of characters from the decade but with a twist on their names.
A lot of replay value.
Fast frantic action.
Free roam of the map.
Little set pieces.
Many routes and secrets in maps.

Cons:

Slow starter.
In the heat of the battle, it gets hard to see who’s who and what’s what.
No camera zoom in.
Music is surprisingly tame.
Difficult.
RNG in full effect.
After a few hours, you see what the game has to offer I terms of level design and boss fights.

8/10

Graphics - 8/10
7/10

Sound - 7/10
8/10

Accessibility - 8/10
8/10

Length - 8/10
9/10

Fun Factor - 9/10

8/10

Summary

HyperParasite is a twin-stick shooter with a really cool gimmick. You play as a parasite than can inhabit enemies and take on their abilities and health. Not all enemies are instantly inhabitable until you get their brain and drop it off at the Wittos shop but still. The combat is a straight-up twin-stick shooter with a lot of environmental advantages to use, it can get a little bit too hectic and figuring out who’s who is a proper mission. Music I felt could have been a little bit more mental and crazy to match the action but it’s OK. Hyperparasite is a game you can easily play for hours and after that, you will feel satisfied that you have seen it all but it’s a proper visual treat.