Classics never die, and that statement holds strong with the genre of the twin-stick shooter. From the bit-blasting of Robotron 2084 to the violent robots of Nex Machina, twin-stick shooters are golden, and perhaps, all that a player really needs to enjoy a game. #Funtime harkens back to that golden age of twin-stick shooters, a time in which the ultimate objective was to rack up scores and climb the leader boards for bragging rights amongst friends. It’s a crowded market out there with all the big releases happening this summer, but #Funtime heats things up with incredibly engaging gameplay and a sharp visuals style that will have you coming back for more.
#Funtime is a twin-stick shooter in the vein of the classic Xbox Live title, Geometry Wars. Players pilot their neon-colored starship through various mazes, levels, and challenges, fighting waves of ships and shapes across a bright-sparkled cosmos. #Funtime consists of eight gameplay modes to play, each of them completely different from the next. Challenge Mode puts players through a series of 25 challenges, with everyone striving for the high score and gaining all-stars. There are different takes on the challenges, including mazes and bosses, making for an interesting array of playtypes. Several of the modes are variations of the existing survival mode. Small survival takes place on a small map. Large survival takes place on a larger map. Open survival takes place in an open asteroid belt. There is also a wrecking ball mode, which turns your ship into a true platform of bright-colored destruction. In addition to the gameplay modes, #Funtime features an upgradeable ship. Every time a play session ends, money is earned. That money can be saved to afford upgrades, and those upgrades can make one’s ship incredibly formidable, especially when conquering higher scores. This adds some replay value to the arcade mode.
#Funtime feels extraordinarily tight and polished, smooth to a tee, and energetically responsive. Playing with the different colors takes some getting used to, but before long, players are likely to experience what the name of the game implies: a fun time. The controls are tight and responsive, with no delay or lag. The color-changing mechanic is fascinating and does keep players on their toes. The color change mechanics makes #Funtime slightly strategic as well, but strategic in a way that requires thinking fast. Shooting a red enemy while white might net you points but shooting a red enemy while red nets you more points. This is essential to remember, especially in the challenge rooms that are loaded with score potential and goals to complete. Movement feels incredibly smooth as well, and the use of color is visually charming. The twin-stick gaming mechanics give the sensation of that white-knuckle gameplay sensation that so many games aim to get to but few rarely achieve. It feels instinctive, engaging, and the game constantly asks the player to play “one more time.”
#Funtime is a solid gameplay experience, and the leaderboards will keep players coming back.
A dynamic, pulsating soundtrack not only amplifies the engagement of #Funtime but also turns it into a “chill” experience. #Funtime is extraordinary in the weaving and threading of creating an exciting and engaging twin-stick shooter, but also a depressurizing experience. I found myself relaxed but intrigued, excited but smooth. When it comes together, #Funtime greatly reminds me of the colorful, dazzling displays of older arcade games that loaded the screen with color and particles. Keep in mind, with those looking to acquire #Funtime, #Funtime is strictly an arcade experience. There are no single-player campaigns to choose from or overarching adventures. #Funtime is about arcade fun, and fighting to top the competition.
As for presentation, the biggest setback that can be made in #Funtime are the asteroid levels. In these large areas, the player can move freely about in space but must avoid smashing into asteroids floating about. Perhaps this is part of the challenge, but the asteroids are rather difficult and hard to see, even with brightness settings turned up. Additionally, I feel the framerate could have benefitted from being slightly smoother and faster. It runs steadily on PlayStation 4, though it dips just a bit from time to time. However, overall, the presentation is solid. It’s colorful, cheerful, cosmic, and reminiscent of the days of old arcades.
#Funtime is a fun time! Its twin-stick shooting mechanics, coupled with explosive colors and effects, along with an inviting soundtrack that drops beats left and right make #Funtime well worth one’s time.
More information can be found on the official website. A digital PS4 copy was provided for the purpose of review.
