Developer: Flying Wild Hog
Steam Deck Compatibility?: Playable
Rrp: £14.99 (Gog.com and Humblebundle) £16.75 (Steam)
Anyone who knows me well knows that I have an intense fondness for most things cyberpunk, which all started when I first watched and fell in love with the movie Blade Runner. This means its a double edged sword if I’m presented a game that uses the cyberpunk aesthetic, on one hand I may be more lenient because of my love for the genre (not that I think any developer is actually paying attention to me specifically) but on the other I’m also likely to be more harsh if the game missteps in some way.
I actually played the original release (the non-redux version) of Hard Reset, I remember at the time thinking that it was janky but had potential for more to be done. What I had hoped was for a sequel to be created that built off of the first game, not a total redo.
On the whole this isn’t a bad game but I feel it doesn’t lean into the cyberpunk aspect enough. It’s more of a boomer shooter with a cyberpunk skin. Being a boomer shooter in itself isn’t a bad thing but I couldn’t help but keep thinking back to an old game I played, System Shock 2. I longed for ways to customise the character more than merely unlocking more guns.
Speaking of guns, I will say I do quite like what the game does there. You see, throughout the game you collect a currency called Nano. You spend the Nano at upgrade machines unlocking new weapon modes and gear. The part I find interesting is that you actually only have two weapons, (well three actually but the third is a sword with no modes to buy) in the game; a rifle and an energy gun. Rather than find or buy a grenade launcher as a separate weapon instead I spend the Nano to buy the grenade attachment for my rifle. While its functionally the same as having a different weapon it adds to the futuristic feel. Why be bogged down with eight guns when two will do it all?
So… my overall thoughts. I personally think this game isn’t worth the price tag, there are better, longer and newer titles that are only slightly more expensive and give the same experience without the cyberpunk aesthetic.
