Heavy Bullets (PC) Review

One of the most striking things about Heavy Bullets upon first inspection is the immensely vivid colourful world that it is set in. It would have been easy to make some bland Tron-esque computer world with a never-ending abundance of pale blue LED lights everywhere, instead Heavy Bullets ditches the clichés in favour of splashing a drug-fevered mix of colour and a randomised world that resembles some futuristic jungle.

Inside this jungle are a number of 'nasties' ready to chip away at one of the few precious hearts/lives. At first, some of the creatures look like loveable children's characters, but they soon prove to be utterly terrifying and infuriating in equal measure. There is a decent amount of enemy variety within the game's eight levels, from the common "Imp" creature at the start, to robot security turrets, as well as a couple of boss battles. A prime example of the most annoying includes the worm-like creatures hiding like snipers in the grass, ready to pounce on the unnamed lead character.

The map designs equally play into the game's strengths…and also weaknesses. On the one hand there is a feeling of fear and tension when sneaking around every corner, looking for a well hidden enemy that will jump out and potentially send them back to the beginning of the game. On the other, with so much on the screen, it is a real challenge to see everything and can result in absurdly cheap deaths.

Thankfully, although it is likely that much time will be spent viewing the start of the game, Heavy Bullets throws some bones the player's way to make the experience more pleasant by allowing coins to be banked for the next playthrough from vending machines that also sell extra bullets and items, such as bombs or knives, which are useful for the adventure.

The actual gunplay feels great and it is incredibly smooth and fun as an FPS title. Aiming is accurate and it manages to balance the need for a fun arcade type of FPS against one in which the fear is that aiming feels loose and irritating. The true point of this being important is so the precious six bullets are never wasted. Enemies die in one hit, bar the boss battles, and spraying bullets is not a good idea considering they need to be picked up again.

The music and sound in Heavy Bullets fits the setting perfectly. The soundtrack is especially good at creating an exciting backdrop to the madness, as well as complementing the computer world with pounding jungle beats mixed in with high pitched tones and old-school beeps; it is a real eclectic mix.