SFERA

Action platformer with wall-jumps, aim-based shooting, key-hunting across five planets, but also broken achievements that don’t reward your efforts. In this action-packed platformer, you step into the shoes of a space bounty hunter who belongs to an elite squad specializing in tracking down rogue robots. That’s about all the narrative you’re given, and frankly, it’s all you need. The game wastes no time with the story because it’s all about the gameplay. The brief introduction simply gives you a reason to pick up your shotgun and start blasting anything that stands in your way. The core gameplay revolves around running, jumping, and shooting across a series of levels. Jumping is intuitive and satisfying, with both a standard jump and a wall-jump mechanic that allows you to climb any vertical surface. Standard jumps help you avoid environmental hazards like bottomless pits, which are often marked with exclamation points to warn you of the danger below. When it comes to combat, the game breaks from traditional run-and-gun mechanics. Instead of firing while moving, you need to stop, plant your feet, and enter aim mode before you can shoot. This might sound clunky at first, especially when dealing with enemies right in front of you, but it pays off in other areas. Aim mode gives you full directional control, allowing you to target foes from above, below, or across the screen. There’s no need to reload and ammo is unlimited, so once you get used to the rhythm, the combat feels rewarding. Your journey spans five different stages, each composed of several stages that vary in size and layout. While these stages are mostly linear, they often contain branching side paths. Your main objective remains consistent throughout: collect three keys scattered across the level and reach the exit. To make navigation easier, the game provides a full map of each stage. This map not only displays the entire layout but also highlights essential items, such as keys. It's especially helpful when tracking down secret rooms hidden behind fake walls. These walls can be nearly indistinguishable from the rest of the environment, so the map becomes a crucial tool for finding them. Visually, the game features an eye-catching blend of styles, placing 2D character sprites within fully rendered 3D environments. While the planetary themes follow familiar platforming tropes, like icy landscapes or high-tech space stations, each location feels distinct. The same can’t be said about enemies, which mostly repeat with a different color. Progression through the game is fixed; you can’t pick your next planet but must complete them in order. At the end of each planet’s stages, you face an easy boss before launching into a brief flying mini-game. In this sequence, you blast through asteroid fields on your way to the next planet. It’s simple and not particularly exciting, but it helps maintain the sense of progression rather than just teleporting you between worlds. Beyond the main objective of collecting keys, you’re encouraged to explore every corner of the map to collect resources. Common gems frequently drop from defeated enemies and destructible crates, but you’ll also come across rarer items like minerals, chips, and wood. These resources are used to craft new gear, including five additional guns, a grenade, and upgrades for your drone companion. Each weapon has three defining stats, such as damage and rate of fire, but the firing style tends to be the deciding factor. For instance, while a laser weapon is slow but bounces off surfaces, the fast-firing machine gun quickly becomes a favorite for its efficiency and high damage. In the end, although it doesn’t bring anything new, this is a well-made and entertaining shooter. Unfortunately, the game stumbles when it comes to rewarding your efforts: many achievements are broken, including major ones for defeating bosses or racking up kills.