Futuridium is the latest in the long line of high score chasing shooters to arrive on Sony platforms. A super colourful, retro looking game, Futuridium is certainly striking in its appearance. Imagine if the original Starfox took place in an 80’s disco and that’s sort of what you have here.
The main aim of the game is to destroy cubes on each level, which in turn reveals the core which also needs to be shot. Simple concept, but like so many of its ilk, very difficult to master. Controlling a spaceship you’re travelling down a lane, with the square button used to do a 180 and travel back to destroy any cubes you may have missed. Levels start off simple with a few nimble manoeuvres required to get the last cubes, as you progress however the level layout becomes increasingly dastardly with hazards and even moving platforms. Get some friends on the leaderboards and you’ll have a great time battling it out.
If avoiding all hazards wasn’t hard enough, you also have a time limit to worry about. Energy will start to count down and once it depletes then unless you have a continue, it’s game over. Destroying cubes does fill it ever so slightly, but you need to be quick to complete later levels. Particularly as getting destroyed results in a hefty chunk being taken away. Speed also playing a part in medals that can unlocked after each level. Medals for speed, chain and, well, not dying can be awarded. Managing to chain cubes together proving the most difficult as you only get a short window before the chain is reset. This is also important for obtaining high scores. As you can see, those craving high score challenges are well catered for and that’s really what will keep bringing you back.
Futuridium as a whole is presented quite wonderfully, and we’re not just talking about the graphics. The soundtrack is quite exceptional, and makes this game perfect to play with headphones on. A weird techno beat; there are a good number of tracks that fit in perfectly with the style of the game. And with a quick press of the D pad you’re able to select your favourite songs.
There are a couple of issues with Futuridium, a minor one is that at times everything can almost be too colourful so it can be hard to actually pick out the cubes. But maybe that could be considered part of the challenge. One major problem we were having to begin with was the shooting. The ship seems to have a range on its shots, so there are many moments when you’ll be cursing at the TV after a shot you think should’ve connected, didn’t. It takes a while to get a grasp on things and understand the shooting mechanic. So people picking it up for the first time may find it a little unfair. But once you start to understand it, it becomes a treat and you’ll be flying up that leaderboard.
So where does it play best, PS4 or Vita? This is a difficult question really. On the one hand the PS4 version will allow you to see more and get a lock on those more covert cubes, but on the other hand this seems a better fit for quick handheld play (hardly surprising due to the games iOS routers). That being said, whichever platform you have, you’re bound to get plenty of enjoyment out of it.
Futuridium EP Deluxe may take a little longer to click than the likes of Resogun, but once it does it’s an absolute joy to play.
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