Hyperslice is a fast, focused and extremely fun action arena roguelite

Hyperslice released recently and has easily positioned itself as one of my absolute favourite arena-arcade style action roguelite games. Note: a key was provided to GamingOnLinux by the developer.

This one has you repeatedly upgrade a small ship, as you take down enemies in tight arenas across various waves. It can be a bit of a bullet hell at times, especially in the later levels and it gets pretty chaotic. To be clear it's not a shoot 'em up though as unlike others in the genre, you don't actually have any main firing weapons. Instead, your ship is your weapon as you have to bump and dash through enemies to slice them up to keep increasing your score as the run goes on. So in a way, it's a little bit like Geometry Wars and others similar (like the truly brilliant Sektori) except without the constant pew-pew coming from you.

Developer MrEliptik describes it as an "action arena roguelite" and that seems appropriate enough in this case

The action is extremely focused, intense and most importantly - a whole lot a fun. A real challenge too, it has been repeatedly kicking my arse something fierce. Even at the very start of the game, there's rarely a second to think. It's not blazingly fast (at least not initially), but fast enough that it will keep you firmly engaged with it to progress through later waves where it throws in more game mechanics.

YouTube videos require cookies, you must accept their cookies to view. View cookie preferences.
Accept Cookies & Show   Direct Link

The basic idea is that you bump into enemies to stun them or remove their shields or turn them into a projectile, and then dash to slice through them to destroy them. But, it's what it does with this that makes it so fun with the sprinkling of different enemies during various waves. Some might be linked to extra enemies you have to bump and slice through first, while big bombs and rocks fly across the arena from outside that might devastate your run if you're not quick enough to move out of their way or destroy them.

On top of that it will throw in turret-styled enemies that sit still but shoot big laser beams across the tiny arena that follow you, while spinning blades fly around to try and cut through you while you're dashing about trying to bump them all out of your way. A game of constant movement where you have to give it 110% of your attention.

As you progress you get to unlock upgrades and abilities for your ship like extra health or a more powerful bump, along with unlocking more types of ships to play as that have an assortment of different ultimate abilities / speed / health and so on. So there's a nice bit of variety on offer with it too.

With a normal price of £5.89 it's definitely worth grabbing. It's pure and simply just good fun. If you love a challenge and enjoy games that don't take forever to get through - it's one for you.