Hard Reset Redux

Hard reset Redux is what I call ''a missed opportunity'', the idea and some of the mechanics are fun and interesting, but it could be so much more. Unfortunately, the game fails to deliver, although that doesn't mean the game itself isn't enjoyable or truly lacking something. So, a good fps, with some interesting mechanics, and some ideas that could help distinguish the game itself, but in the long run, it just becomes repetitive, both in mechanics and in story.

pros - very well optimized game , runs well tons of destruction interesting weapon system cons - the story weapons feel weak gets old fast holds your hand to an insulting degree unimaginative environment

AMAZING! Absolutely fantastic game, with stunning visuals, and more importantly, a very defined and beautiful cyberpunk artstyle and enviroment. There is really nothing objectively "bad" with this game, the gameplay is frenetic, fast paced, the shooting is solid an feels great, beautiful graphics, and a meh story, but the other aspects more than make up for it. My only complaints would be the following: 1) Sometimes the graphical effects (specially lens flare and bloom) can be just too much, and can actually impair your ability to see the surroundings, I did not find a way to completely turn those effects off without messing witht the feel of the game. 2) The enemy hit boxes (and yours, for that matter) are inconsistent, sometimes you would swear a projectile hit an enemy, but nope, it just grazed its body so it doesnt count. Also you have a huge hitbox and somehits you swear you dashed away from, connect. All my complaints and problems with this game are offset by the fact that it cost me $1.66 on a sale, less than I normally spend on my damned lunch, now that is value! Thank you Flying Wild Hog, now on to Shadow Warrior 2013!

Hard Reset Redux is an FPS set in a dystopian sci-fi world. The player takes the role of Major James Fletcher, a corporative enforcer called on to fight the menace of a machine invasion on Bezoar City. The story has a few twists, and even though they are vairly obvious to any sci-fi fan, the tropes work well here. The scenario reminded me a lot of the first Blade Runner movie, as well as the original book (Do Androids dream of Electric Sheep? - by Phillip K. Dick); the plot itself seems to borrow several concepts from Second Variety (one of Dick's short stories), as well as some from Farenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury's famous story on the death of contemplation). For a sci-fi reader, these elements are enough to create a very immersive experience, although some choices might break the experience a bit. In between missions, the story is told by comic-book-shaped scenes. the aesthetics are interesting, but the dialogue is rushed for some reason, making the story convoluted at times, even though it isn't that complex to begin with. Small matters aside, it's a very interesting plot, coupled elegantly with the missions. It's a shame that the story ends on a cliffhanger. Even so, it made me wish for a sequel, a feeling that rarely strikes me in such situations. The game itself seems to be shaped around the idea of old FPS. I haven't played the original Hard Reset (it is said to have been far more tactical than the Redux version). In here, though, the old strafe mechanics are heavily present, even more so on account of dodges (easy to pull and very useful). At times the game shows discrepancies with what I imagine was its original version, since the dodge allows the player to easily avoid most attacks while shooting enemies without much problem. Also, weapon variety grants a nice arsenal, with a weapon mode for every situation. As the player progresses through the game, he'll be able to mdify through upgrades his two main weapons (also, at some point Fletcher finds a sword, which he can use for direct melee attacks in a surpirsingly satisfying ballet of destruction). Fletcher can use a SMG and a laser gun, being able to unlock RPGs, grenade launchers, shock mods, beam mods, electric mortar mods and, of course, a shotgun. It is hard to find a favorite weapon mod, since each situation begs for some mods to be used. (Even so, I'd rather run around with the shotgun, like in old Doom and Blood games!) Some of these modifications will cause distinct effects upon the enemies, stunning, delaying or exploding areas they pass through (such is the case with the mine launcher). The maps are linear for the most part, but they branch out in creative ways, holding a few secrets (mostly, nanites you collect to upgrade weapons in purchase stations). There's a bit of backtracking, but for the most part maps flow quite well. Models and scenario are used to tell the story and showcase enemies you'll find later on. The scenario is used in interesting ways, helping to develop the story and giving the impression of a lively setting. Maps are constantly made of partitions that won't open up until you kill all enemies in the area. This is adequately merged into the game, for example, since everything around simply stops working as AI driven machines are detected (for public safety and in order to help fend off the menace). Some parts are a bit immersion-braking, though. For example, the character can't crouch. Several parts of the map are made so small machines can pass through, creating unreachable areas and spawn points. All in all, it still maintain balance, and this is a very minor thing. Overall, the game is great, delivering an old sci-fi story through an old FPS style. Damn shame it's too short - a straight playthrough took me 4 hours. Still, it's just so good that I'm going back to find all secrets in a new game plus playthrough. Highly recommended!

An exemplary game in efficiency, smoothness and no BS in my opinion. You boot it up, you get one Flying Wild Hog logo, no 50 companies having to introduce themselves, and afterwards you're straight into the main menu, which is very clean in my opinion showing resume game, new game, setting and a few others like credits and extras. After I press resume game I'm into the game in seconds, with smooth 141 framerate at 1440p ultrawide ultra settings with my GTX 1080 around 56% (Apparently with no AA since I turned off FXAA ingame, I think I meant to turn on AA in Nvidia control panel but apparently didn't however turning it on in Nvidia control panel doesn't make much difference on performance with my GTX1080 it appears). Lowest 0.1% while playing (so not when opening menus etc) I noticed was 137 I believe and when manically jumping around moving the camera and maybe shooting around trying to tank the framerate 0.1% of 139 was lowest I got. So smooth. I personally love this style of graphics. Makes me wonder why games like Agents of Mayhem (which I enjoyed) run at 70-80 FPS unless cranking down settings more. One odd thing is that I have to rebind the flashlight each time I play, it's unbound each time I start the game again. Game is also fun and straight forward in my opinion. I would not mind more enemy variety. Rest you can probabbly easily read in other reviews I think. Game 4 stars, smoothness and presentation 5 stars so a final score of 4.5 stars I'd say.