Brute

[h1]Brute.... 2017's Precision Platformer of the Year[/h1] I'm particularly loath to picking up on what somebody else has written when reviewing a game. However, in this case, I must agree with Graham Smith of Rock, Paper, Shotgun. He opens his article on Brute by stating that ‘Brute is N with a ship in place of a ninja.’ He's absolutely banging on. There’s really no other comparison to be made to the game. If you’ve seen the front page of the website you’ll know that N++ is one of my all-time favorite video games and currently holds the highest review score in site history. I view N++ as the absolute quintessential precision platformer. The title is stock so full of content that you’d never need another game of its type…. [h1]… But I’m Thankful MGFM Developed Brute[/h1] Brute feels like a genuine sequel to the N games. The name of the game must be based on the difficulty of the game because it’s genuinely brute-al. The bright mixture of colors used throughout the levels, which change every time you die (which you will a lot) are the first things that force you to draw the comparison. Brute feels like a genuine sequel to the N games or at the very least a significant source of inspiration. First, the bright mixture of colors that are used throughout the levels, changing every time you die, the similarity to dying as soon as you hit any obstacle and the types of enemies are the primary similarities. Brute much like N++ is excruciatingly difficult. It is so difficult that this is clearly where the source of the title originates because it truly is brute-al. This is the long and short way of suggesting that the two games are very close to being and the same. Yet, that would be selling Brute extremely short. [h1]The Differential[/h1] Where Brute is very different to N is in its physics system. This gives Brute a fantastic point of difference. Now, I’m not suggesting that it makes it a better game than N but rather that it is what makes it different. It is something that hardcore platformer fans will crave when playing this. To move your craft the player presses the right mouse button or the W button on their keyboard. I personally found that using the mouse to steer and the W to thrust was better in some levels whereas in others I felt using the right mouse button was favorable. The player must always consider the amount of thrust used and to quickly head in the opposite direction if they want to slow down. The left mouse button allows the player to shoot. Of important note is that the player has a finite amount of fuel to thrust them around the level. This only adds to the tension and forces the player to consider his every move not only in a sense to avoid enemies and obstacles but also to ensure that you save enough fuel to get to the end of the level. There were times where I relied upon drifting to get a fuel pick up or into final position to shoot the end level target. Some of the most exciting times that I had in the game were those extremely close calls and agonizing near misses. Conversely, the player has an infinite number of bullets that they can fire. Players use bullets to interact with the level. At first, you’ll use it to bring levels to a successful close. Then the game introduces traps, switches, triggers and enemies that you need to shoot to proceed. [h1]Intelligent Level Design[/h1] One of the more appreciable strengths of the game is in its level design. Brute is the type of game that could frustrate players more than what is necessary. It is already a game that will have players rage quitting so implementing new traps and mechanics to the player required a lot of thought. Thankfully, the developer got it spot on. There is a total of 100 levels (50 base levels and 50 secret levels). The developer understood that they had time and content to spread these elements out evenly enough to provide the player a constant challenge without being overwhelming. This is exactly how the game feels. Just as you become expert at the current game a new challenge is added to the fray. It’s easily some of the best level design that I have seen – to the point where game design courses should implement this game into their theory. There’s more than enough content featured in the game with all of its levels for the game to last five to ten hours dependent upon skill. [h1]Presentation[/h1] Of course, I wrote about the color alternating between various bright colors after every death. However, the graphics overall have been well designed and thought out. Every little design decision within the game has the touch of a Picasso about it. This shouldn’t be a shock given Michael Manning is a professional sound designer. As streamlined and brilliant as the graphic design choices are it is within the sound engineering that the game gets that extra kick to put it over the top. The way in which the player’s engines thrust, the sound of the weapon firing and the background music combine gave me an immediate appreciation for the game’s sound. Others may find it simplistic – and it is – but that is a very complimentary term in this game. [h1]Steamified[/h1] Brute is a part of Steam’s Trading Cards program. However, I wouldn’t say that the game is Steamified as a result. I would urge the developer to implement Steam achievements and to consider a way in which he could implement a global leaderboard. There are several ways that achievements could be implemented. There could be achievements for successful completion of each level, for the combined amount of fuel remaining at the end of each level, etc. The fuel left over would be an interesting statistic for the leaderboard. Perhaps too would introducing a clock for each level to see who can complete each level in the shortest amount of time. I argue that both are tools that the Steam community would rather enjoy seeing added to the game. I would also like to see the addition of a level editor. If the community was put into a position where they could create their own content for the game it would extend the title’s longevity. As it is, however, I don’t see many players being skilled enough to complete every level that this masterpiece has to offer. However, it would be bloody nice. [h1]Conclusion[/h1] After enjoying N++ so immensely last year I never would have thought that my favorite game to date this year would be a game so similar in simplicity, difficulty, and reward. However, from all of the new games that I have played in 2017 so far without doubt Brute is it. It’s almost impossible to fault. If anything, I’ll give it a tick off the score I gave N++ simply because of the significant amount more content that N++ had. I very much look forward to future DLC or a legitimate sequel. Thank you MGFM you have created a legitimate master class in game design and presentation. A genuine Steam game of the year contender. 9.4/10