Platforms: PC (reviewed), PS4
Developer: Hypersect
Publisher: Hypersect
MSRP: $14.99
Introduction:
I’m not sure there’s ever been an indie game that I want to see succeed more than Inversus. It’s one of those game design ideas that manages to balance simplicity and complexity so finely. The best part about it all is that the game is incredibly accessible whether you are looking to play with friends or by yourself.
You take control of either a white or black cube, each of which comes with five bullets to fire. You can either tap one of the face buttons to fire a single shot, or hold the button down for a triple shot. Effectively managing your shots and knowing when to unload provide an incredible amount of depth within a game that looks and plays so simply on the surface.
The game started as a side project for Destiny developer, Ryan Juckett, who stated that he really emphasized the “feel and feedback in gameplay”, and it’s instantly apparent that Inversus succeeds in that aspect. Multiplayer matches can last mere seconds, with 1 minute being considered a “long” affair. And it’s the little dances of back and forth and weighing the consequences of your actions within seconds that create an incredibly tense atmosphere.
The big question with every multiplayer game comes down to longevity, and the answer to that (IMO) is entirely dependent on whether the game can build up its online community. As a single player game, and (especially) a local multiplayer game, Inversus is incredible.
As the saying goes, Inversus is easy to learn and difficult to master.
Seriously, anyone can play this game. Movement is tied to the left thumbstick and shooting is your typical North/South/East/West configuration on the face buttons. As you fire a shot, it simultaneously opens a pathway for you to travel. So not only are you trying to destroy the other player, you are trying to make sure you don’t get boxed in for an easy kill.
Maps are varied and mostly pretty straightforward, with each one offering you different types of cover (or none at all) and ways to navigate them. Although, one of the most difficult maps in the game creates two mirror images of the player, so you are simultaneously controlling and dodging with three cubes instead of one. Accuracy on shots doesn’t require much in the way of skill, but defending yourself (by using your own shots to deflect your opponent’s) does, which is one of the biggest things that adds depth to the game.
Single player mode provides a great way to learn the game
While Inversus is primarily built to be a multiplayer game, it does come with a pretty solid single player mode. You could more or less call it a “horde” mode, as you face off against an ever-escalating number of colored cubes. You can chain together explosive kills when enemy cubes cluster together, which can instantly clear out an escape lane when you are surrounded.
The only problem with the mode is that it doesn’t quite simulate the speed of a multiplayer game, so if you spend enough time with it before jumping into a multiplayer match (or vice versa), the speed change can be a little jarring. However, in the grand scheme of things, this is hardly a big deal.
Finding an online multiplayer game is…tough
Here’s the thing about Inversus right now; not enough people know about it. And as a result, getting into a multiplayer match can be a bit of a wait. Fortunately, Developer Hypersect has recognized this and has patched the game since launch to allow players to play the game’s single-player Arcade Mode while they wait.
The only thing that Inversus has working against it right now is the anonymity of being an indie title. I sincerely hope that Hypersect recognizes the game’s potential and can tough out the player drought until they can get more recognition.
Verdict:
Inversus is not just one of the best multiplayer games I’ve played this year, it’s one of the best games overall. While it likely won’t win any major awards for being focused on multiplayer (and being indie), it’s worth any gamers time and money considering the price of admission.
If you’ve been looking for a game to play with friends on the old couch, Inversus will serve you well. It’s a shame this game isn’t as well known as it should be, but hopefully, with time, its community can grow to at least be able to reliably jump into an online game. Well played, Inversus.