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SUPERHOT
Platform: Xbox One
73
Reviewed on PC

Superhot Preview - E3 2015

Trying out to the new slo-motion shooter for Xbox One

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Superhot is the FPS where time moves only when you do. Interesting concept, right? But more about that shortly.

Superhot has an interesting history. It started as a 7 Day First Person Shooter (7DFPS) game jam project made by a group of friends in August 2013. After polishing the game, they presented it for the WGK Conference in September of that year, winning the Developer Showcase award. The team released the initial build, which quickly gained traction on the internet by press and players. Then, it passed Steam Greenlight in one week.

Superhot game

Next came the Kickstarter campaign to fund the rest of development. The target of $100,000 was reached in less than 24 hours. By the end of the campaign, the team had surpassed $250,000. Not bad. Now, as part a Microsoft's indie commitment, Superhot will be coming to the Xbox One.

The game's premise is pretty simple: you appear in a number of scenarios, like snippets from a gunfight, and have to defeat the enemies that swarm you. Environments can be small, say, a bar, or they can be larger, like a parking lot or ballroom. The best way to imagine Superhot's gameplay is as if you're progressing through a gunfight one keyframe at a time. Every step you take, every pull of the trigger, every turn of the head progresses the action by a frame.

So, everything should be simple if we're moving so slowly? In the first couple of levels, I was getting used to how the game plays. I grabbed a pistol from the trunk of a car, and could already see a couple of red, polygonal foes rounding the corner. I went in shooting, which got me killed. Then I started thinking of Superhot as a slow-mo shooter combined with an algebra simulator. You have to plan a formula for each stage or you're not going to get far. You then have to remember the formula as you're playing.

A level would go like this. Pick up the gun; enemy one comes from the left. Tap the analogue stick twice to the left, aiming where he would be; glance around to ensure that other enemies are/aren't in your area. If the answer is no, then you shoot; if the answer is yes, then you shoot but immediately dodge.

Superhot game

Throughout Superhot you're constantly planning, adapting and searching your environment. What would be a frenetic shooter in any other sense turns into a strange gunfight directing simulator. Ammo for your pistol is limited, so you can toss your weapon at a foe and then grab theirs, or you can dodge gunfire and punch them.

To doge enemy fire, you have to anticipate the red trail that accompanies each bullet fired. This should make it easy, but when there are multiple foes - appearing from all over the level - it becomes increasingly difficult. Frustration and replay is the name of the game. It's very unlikely you'll complete a level on your first try. You die, add another equation to your formula, then repeat, hoping for a better result.

With Superhot, there is a sense of "just one more go" as you're playing. Enemies will appear from every direction - you have to remember each, and track their movements. You'll encounter katana-wielding foes, then have to throw them into the mix. You're always learning something new and adapting which keeps Superhot feeling very fresh and engaging.

Obviously, something has to be said about Superhot's art style. The very bright, almost monochrome pallet of white, red, black, and various grey hues make for a pristine environment. A "training room simulation" vibe bleeds through the game. The simple polygonal characters in their angular worlds ranging from ballrooms, to hospitals, to the streets have a distinct feel. With slow-mo in general, watching bullet streaks, glass (and opponents) shatter - all in freeze frame - exudes a certain silent beauty.

Superhot game

Superhot was an enjoyable experience, and the success of the game is rightly deserved. From what began so simply has progressed into a cool indie game that has obviously resonated with fans and critics alike. Players can expect to be the director in their very own John Woo flick on PC / Mac / Linux and Xbox One in Q4 2015.

Comments
Superhot
Superhot box art Platform:
Xbox One
Our Review of Superhot
73%
Good
Reviewed on PC
Game Ranking
Superhot (PC) is ranked #1016 out of 1957 total reviewed games. It is ranked #66 out of 138 games reviewed in 2016.
1015. Cyberpunk 3776
PC
1016. Superhot
1017. Halo Wars 2
Xbox One
Related Games
Superhot: Mind Control Delete Superhot: Mind Control Delete
Platform: PC
Released: July 2020
Developer: SUPERHOT Team
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