Velocity 2X review – Blazing Action Indie Game Feels Natural on the Switch

Velocity 2X is a perfect sequel to its predecessor, taking the simple concept of blazing through a level at maximum efficiency and layering more mechanics onto the formula in a way that feels totally natural. The result is 50 levels of blazing action and complex levels that will take players of any skill level multiple playthroughs to memorize and nail perfectly.

The largest difference from the original game is that it no longer features just classic SHMUP style levels. Velocity 2X adds an entirely new scope for players to mess around in, that being a run ‘n’ gun style not unlike classic Contra games. This new viewpoint opens up the potential for new mechanics, new platforming elements, new methods of combat to use against alien scum, new puzzles, physics, and weapons to design levels around.

And all this is content is added in addition to the original SHMUP levels, which also get an overhaul with new weapons and mechanics. Twin ships that control as if they are mirrored off one another, intense and intelligent bullet hell boss fights, everything you need for a perfect shooter.

I’ll admit, Velocity 2X is very hard to get settled into. There are a lot of mechanics for players to get used to all at once given the speed of the game, and feeling the “flow” that Futurlab wants you to feel isn’t going to come so easily. Practice will have to make perfect here, and after slogging through the intro levels, memorizing the a level or two, getting that first gold medal after rescuing all survivors within the time limit, your motivation will start to kick in.

Before you know it, you’ll be blazing through the stars in your ship, teleporting through walls, rescuing survivors by blasting open their glass cages with multi-directional bombs, docking into space ports, raiding enemy ships for crystals, engaging in epic laser fights with aliens, blasting open locked gates… in the ship, out of the ship, in the ship, FIRE FIRE FIRE, teleport through that wall, out of the ship, blast the lock, blow the base up, kill the boss, escape…

Be water, my friend…

The flow will come to those who earn it, and when you hit that stride, Velocity 2X delivers that same rush and excitement as the arcade classic SHMUPS and run ‘n’ guns that inspired it. It’s one of the most intense action games on the indie market to date, but unlike most arcade-inspired games that require little more than twitch skills and pattern memorization, Velocity 2X dares to be smarter with its level design and multiple objectives within each level.

And thank goodness that it doesn’t rely on randomized levels or procedural generation. Playing through levels carved to precise perfection feels so fresh in 2018.

Article source: https://www.technobuffalo.com/reviews/velocity-2x-review/