It’s a good sign when the only problems I have with a game are of my own making. In CRYPTARK it’s a case of trying to keep my cool when faced with a barrage of bullets and drones surrounding me in confined spaces. I must remember to use the right weapon at the right time, follow the plan, and not make any silly mistakes. With practice I’m getting there.
The scenario is simple. You have been conscripted by a shadowy corporate figure to disable alien spaceships and recover their technology. Hinting at a fascist dystopian future. To complete the contract you must loot six ships including the enormous cryptark.
Target ships are procedurally generated; check the map to plan your attack route through the interconnected computer systems. Buy weapons, ammo and equipment from your funds. Then smash your cybernetic opponents and make bank. Hunt for tech upgrades and fulfil secondary objectives for additional rewards including the retrieval of alien artifacts which unlock new mech suits. Rinse, repeat.
Combat can quickly become intense. Some ships have drone factories and defensive systems that will swamp you over time if you don’t prioritise them for destruction. There are weapons and suit options for stealth and tank tactics. Personally I love to go all guns blazing because the feedback from weapons and recoil feels great. With a huge arsenal to try out. However, sometimes the best plan is one of cunning; sneaking between objectives and setting strategically placed remote nukes for a hellish chain reaction. Get enough upgrades and you’ll be firing off nuclear rockets with abandon. In addition to the main campaign there is rogue mode, a sort of survival experience, where you top up supplies by yourself as you move from alien ship to ship.
Frankly the execution in CRYPTARK is near perfect. It ticks all my boxes. The brutal high energy and deep bass soundtrack adds heaps to the already tense and frantic atmosphere. The art is both colourful and moody. All the voice acting is on point, especially that of the contractor who absolutely drips evil. Using only a handful of key details and descriptions the world feels complete while also unobtrusive so as to stay focused on gameplay first and foremost.
I’ve been eating up CRYPTARK and quickly found myself clocking over 10 hours playtime. If you like roguelikes, twinstick shooters, and this aesthetic, I would think it is a slam dunk.
Available from GOG, Steam and PlayStation stores.
mishmash 