PGC NEWS

The rogue-like genre, inspired by the 1980 game Rogue, continues to evolve and captivate players. With no strict definition, rogue-likes offer diverse experiences, as seen in popular titles like Dead Cells, Darkest Dungeon, and Enter the Gungeon. Building on this legacy, HyperParasite offers a unique take on the genre. But does its overhead gameplay translate into a compelling experience? Let’s delve into the world of HyperParasite and uncover its strengths and weaknesses.

Addictively Challenging Gameplay

True to its rogue-like roots, HyperParasite embraces challenging gameplay. As a parasitic organism, your mission is to eradicate humanity, starting in the grimy “Down Town” area. You’ll face a constant barrage of enemies, from street thugs to police officers, all united against you. One hit means instant death, raising the stakes considerably.

Your key to survival lies in your ability to possess enemies. By absorbing their brains and spending in-game currency, you can unlock the ability to inhabit their bodies, utilizing their skills and durability. This core mechanic is crucial for navigating the hostile world of HyperParasite.

Down Town Enemies

While you can possess almost any enemy (except bosses), unlocking new hosts requires collecting their brains and accumulating currency. The compact maps mean frequent boss encounters, and early deaths are common, especially as new, un-possessed enemy types appear. This leads to a cycle of death and retry, pushing you to upgrade your parasitic abilities, particularly the crucial enemy latching skill.

Possessing enemies allows you to leverage their skills and durability, preventing instant death.

Possessing an Enemy

A Blast from the 80s

HyperParasite’s soundtrack pulsates with the energy of 80s synthwave, its driving rhythms urging you to keep moving. The game’s visuals reinforce this retro aesthetic, from neon-lit alleyways to character designs reminiscent of classic arcade games.

The “Down Town” area evokes memories of titles like Double Dragon and Street Fighter, while the sewer sections recall the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series and its 1989 video game adaptation. Boss encounters feature familiar faces, including John McClane, Shredder from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and even a certain hat-wearing, electricity-wielding warrior.

HyperParasite‘s meticulous design, from its music and visuals to its gameplay, evokes nostalgia for classic NES games.

Frustrating Randomness

In an attempt to keep gameplay fresh, HyperParasite incorporates a heavy dose of randomness. Levels are procedurally generated, and item drops are unpredictable. While the loop of death and retry encourages collecting items and currency to unlock new characters, the low and inconsistent drop rates for essential items, like brains, can become frustrating.

This is compounded by the fact that the final area of each level is always a boss fight. If you haven’t acquired enough upgrades or suitable hosts, you might find yourself facing a formidable army with only your weak parasitic form, especially in later levels.

Parasite Form

Facing the Boss

Hours can be spent replaying “Down Town” or struggling against the third boss with limited options. As the game progresses, enemy strength and abilities increase, while your character’s progression is hampered by the random drop system. This imbalance can make extended play sessions feel repetitive and less enjoyable.

The game’s excessive randomness, coupled with the low drop rates, can hinder character progression and lead to frustrating gameplay.

Game Information

• Developer: Troglobytes Games
• Publisher: Troglobytes Games
• Genre: Adventure, Action
• Release Date: April 3, 2020
• Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Switch

Minimum System Requirements

• OS: Windows 7, 8.1, 10 64-bit
• CPU: Intel Core i5-760 or AMD Athlon II X4 645 AM3
• RAM: 4 GB
• GPU: GeForce GTX 460 (1024 MB) or Radeon HD 6850 (1024 MB)
• Storage: 3 GB

Recommended System Requirements

• OS: Windows 10 Home 64-bit
• CPU: Intel Core i5-9300h 2.4GHz
• RAM: 16 GB
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660ti 6 GB
• Storage: 512 GB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen 3×2 SSD

Game supported by Troglobytes.
Game played on PC.