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0 KIBORG is a fast-paced, action beat ’em up roguelite. Developed and published by Sobaka Studio, it releases on the 30th of April on console and PC. I mentioned in a recent review about how I seem to be finding myself with an abundance of roguelite games to play lately. KIBORG falls into this category too, though in a fairly different format than those previously.
Brawl to the Top in KIBORG
KIBORG moved up higher on my potential review list after spending some time first in the demo. I’ve actually been finding myself looking into demos more frequently lately as better insight into potential plays. Do you tend to check out demos first or prefer to dive first into the real thing? Check out my thoughts on the more complete game below.
Gameplay
KIBORG is a fast-paced, 3rd-person action rougelite served up in a beat ’em up style. You play as Morgan Lee, an inmate of sorts with only one path to potential freedom at the behest of a grotesque host. Fight your way up through a tower full of bloodthirsty enemies with a slew of weaponry and cybernetic implants at your disposal. Dying merely serves as a source of strength, with each return to the starting platform an opportunity to enhance your abilities for the next fight. You learn more about your abilities and your reality with assistance from an intelligent guide through each run. Personally I did find it somewhat difficult to completely follow along with the story tidbits. Though I was too busy pounding faces to remember everything about these deadly circumstances we find ourselves in.
The combat style in KIBORG reminds me of combat in Batman: Arkham City. I quickly found that the easiest way to travel across each floor and between enemies was to lock onto them and attack. This launches you toward them with that style of attack (either light or heavy) that is much quicker than trying to run over to them. Progression eventually changes the heavy attack into more of an area slam too as a bonus. Primary and secondary weapons also bridge the gap in the room, just not usually in as cool of a way. Combos can also be unlocked for more potential damage, though I found getting the timing down just right for some seem like a waste trying to use on anything but the strongest enemy types.
Pickups and Progression
With each run in KIBORG you collect data as a currency. Data can then be spent unlocking different points within the skill tree to enhance the various aspects of gameplay. For example these enhancements include being able to start the run with weapons, boosting stats like hit points and resistance, and unlocking combos and abilities. Though the different areas of the skill tree do have a different general focus, there’s no set path or direction requiring you to choose one way over another. There are also points within the skill tree that unlock additional features and enhancements to available cybernetic implants and weapons. These include synergetic stats for having multiple pieces of the same set as well as secondary stats on weapons.
Cybernetic implants play a big role in KIBORG, if you couldn’t guess just from the title. However, beyond being able to choose one of three random implants at the beginning of the run (after unlocking via skill tree) for one of your seven available slots, furthering that set is not guaranteed. When selecting each floor, you get to choose between two possible rewards (data, tokens, weapon, etc.). I found the implant reward doesn’t come up as frequently as I would have liked within the first several floors. Even when it does or when you get an implant from defeating what I guess you could call an elite, it’s completely random. So it’s somewhat frustrating when you just want one other piece of a set but another one doesn’t show up after the first few chances.
Graphics & Audio
This review is for the PC version of KIBORG. I was able to play it both on my desktop as well as on Steam Deck. The game plays very smoothly on both platforms with a noticeable difference in visual fidelity between the two. That being said though the game still looks great on either. The player models and environments are very detailed and this is easily seen with the 3rd-person perspective. The effects of carnage, powers, and enhancements combined also seem fairly well optimized at default settings. The environments themselves though could use with more variety. The repetition of fighting on the same floors over and over draws away from their unique details.
The soundtrack in KIBORG is overall fitting. There’s a constant drive that does not distract or draw away from the brutal task at hand. I think the only real criticism I have for the audio in the game is more with a focus on the lines coming from Volkov. His lines feel out of place for someone that would know that my character is being rebuilt and sent through over and over again. It’s not the same as like repeating the same section of timeline, so the repetition in lines in unnecessary. It honestly got annoying to the point that I tuned him out almost completely. I also wasn’t the biggest fan of how the guide’s lines, while providing important info, could be instantly cut off by stepping to close to a door triggering a line from Volkov.
Longevity
KIBORG is one of those games where how much you decide to put into it will determine it’s honest longevity. With over 10 hours into the game I have yet to actually reach the top floor. I have a long way to go before my enhancement tree is complete and my ability as a player to progress quickly is really my only setback. The game also features an arena mode I have yet to unlock along with a solid number of achievements and some cosmetics. You earn several of those achievements by collecting a complete set of implants too, which is easily a good chunk more of time to complete. At bare minimum it will probably be at least 50 hours for me before I have most things unlocked and significantly more for anyone looking to 100% the game.
Final Thoughts
Amongst the roguelites I’ve played recently, KIBORG definitely stands more apart than the others. Not to mention it’s the first complete one in a while. It brings a slick change of pace as more of a brawler than something like a bullet-hell or hack and slash holds. Though the repetitive nature of the genre is there, it keeps you moving along well with bloody, brutal speed and a mix of melee and gunplay combat to boot.
I’m proud to say that KIBORG earns it the Thumb Culture Gold Award from me.
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
If you enjoy this review, check out my other reviews here.
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