In Metal: Hellsinger, players embody a lost soul battling through the treacherous landscapes of the afterlife. A diverse arsenal, including swords, shotguns, and powerful magical weapons, is at your disposal. However, the core mechanic revolves around rhythm; synchronizing attacks with the beat amplifies damage, and maintaining a consistent rhythm unlocks further enhancements. This is a unique FPS experience. The narrative is guided by the distinctive voice of Troy Baker (of The Last of Us fame).
Metal: Hellsinger, developed by The Outsiders, a Swedish game studio, masterfully blends FPS gameplay with rhythm-based mechanics in a compelling revenge narrative. Successfully timing shots, strikes, and reloads enhances weapon damage and overall player power. Furthermore, each successive level introduces new layers to the music. Initially, only a bass line is present. As the player maintains the beat, drums are incorporated, culminating in the addition of vocals at the highest performance tier, reminiscent of titles like Guitar Hero.
The game’s soundtrack is firmly rooted in heavy metal, a genre that typically doesn’t feature prominently in my personal listening habits. However, in Metal: Hellsinger, the act of dispatching hordes of enemies in sync with the music is genuinely enjoyable. Troy Baker’s performance lends gravitas to the experience, elevating the relatively straightforward plot.
A potential drawback of Metall: Hellsinger is its considerable initial difficulty. The game presents a high level of on-screen activity, and the levels prove challenging even by standard FPS metrics, before factoring in the rhythmic gameplay requirement. The learning curve is steep from the outset.
In conclusion, Metal: Hellsinger offers an engaging and enjoyable experience. Despite its initial difficulty, its unique gameplay and compelling presentation make it worthy of recommendation.
Funcom provided a review code for this assessment. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial process.
