Copy Kitty (PC) Preview

Over the course of 100+ levels, Boki will use her powers to destroy robots and solve puzzles. Whenever certain robots are destroyed, they drop their weapon. Boki can hold up to three at a time. This talent for mimicry is further bolstered by the fact that she can combine weapons. These combination attacks have all sorts of unique properties, and their devastating power is unmatched. The "pretty mean kick" - that can also deflect bullets - rounds out her arsenal.

The opposition is not to be underestimated. Aside from their impressive numbers, the robot army also commands unique and dangerous creations. There are over twenty bosses to contend with, some with multiple forms. Slightly unrelated, but also worthy of mention, are the environmental hazards. While there aren't any bottomless pits, there are still plenty of spikes. Drowning underwater or getting roasted by lava is also something to look out for. Savant takes his VR training very seriously.

Exceptional gamers are going to welcome the scoring system. Playing for points is simple: destroy everything quickly. A multiplier tacks on massive bonuses, provided that Boki doesn't waste too much time or takes a bunch of damage. This isn't required to progress the story, but it's a nice incentive.

This is the type of game that makes its influences pretty clear. Treasure, makers of such classic titles as Gunstar Heroes and Alien Soldier, is Copy Kitty's biggest influence. Alongside its more traditional action games, Treasure also experimented with numerous ideas. This game is much the same way. Combining weapons can create everything from homing lasers, to swords, to even a destructive dragon. The level design range can be straightforward, or their puzzle elements are at the forefront, which enables creative players to solve them in record time.

Playing through Copy Kitty calls to mind the Bangaioh series. Both games rely on their massive assortment of levels, and they also expect players to use everything at their disposal to solve levels as quickly and efficiently as possible. This means avoiding damage, which is a tall order in some cases. The robot army can clutter the screen with a lot of bullets, and their superior numbers can surround Boki at any point. It might seem overwhelming, but both games feature great controls, so it's never unfair.

Alongside the story mode, there's also the endless mode. This portion of the game eschews the plot and level-based design. In its place is a survival-oriented game, where Boki has to destroy wave after wave of robots. While all this is going on, the level is continually changing in layout. Boki might find herself trapped by destructible terrain, or run into a newly-formed wall. It's a cool idea, but it can get annoying at times. Enemies can sometimes get buried in the terrain, but they're still able to snipe at the player. This can also make playing for score unnecessarily difficult. Certain enemy combinations can also be a severe headache. They'll fill the screen with bullets, leaving Boki without any means to escape, let alone to mount an attack.

It's also worth noting that while Copy Kitty is likely to be in Early Access for at least another year, it's absolutely loaded with content. After completing the story mode, the hard difficulty is unlocked. This isn't a bland "everything does more damage" mode, either. Each level has been almost completely revamped. There are new challenges, more adversity, and all of the player's skills are put through the grinder. Savant is also a playable character, and he's as far from a Boki clone as can be imagined. There's even the option to create levels.