HyperDot (2020)

Fans of games like Geometry Wars, Super Hexagon, and maybe even Super Meat Boy will find lots to love in this minimalist arcade game that has you dodging through over 100 challenging, bite-sized levels of shoot-em-up-like enemy waves. But like the pacifist modes in Geometry Wars 2, you’re not going to be fighting back.

Each level starts with a list of rule modifications limiting things like your movement, size, visibility, etc. and an objective, like surviving for 30 seconds or weaving through enemies to collect 10 time-limited tokens. Modifications might include making the ground slippery like ice, making your character really slow, or making you gravitate toward the outside of the ring. Enemy types each have a unique look and movement pattern that can create some really fun and difficult patterns. One benefit of this rule-based level system is that the game actually includes a custom level editor. There are also various endless / arcade-style modes that add even more replayability.

The game is easy to get into thanks to strong visual communication of different threat types / goals / power-ups, and quick restarts after you die. Restarts are just randomized enough to keep things interesting. The game introduces new enemy types and patterns at a great rate to keep things fresh and challenging, and it seems aware that I would try overly safe, cautious strategies and keeps me moving and engaged by throwing in twists.

The only real downside of the game is that its visuals and music feel pretty flat and sterile. But it gets the job done and doesn’t mean this isn’t a super fun, addictive game that anyone who likes fast-paced arcadey experiences should check out!