Broforce - Beta Impressions

Such is our affection for Broforce that it's going to be an effort to refrain from making bro-jokes throughout the duration of this preview. Having to show restraint isn't normally an issue for us when writing about games, but Free Lives' action platformer is so much fun that it's almost impossible not to be won over by its charm, and consequently start riffing bro-related quips and one-liners ad infinitum.

If, like us, you're a fan of 80s and 90s action movies, then there'll be a huge amount of homage that you'll be able to appreciate in Broforce's explosive levels. The premise is simple, in that you control a bro based on a character plucked from the testosterone fuelled cinema of our collective youth, and using that character you blast seven shades of crap out of henchmen, dogs, vehicles, and bosses, as you push through each level to the flag at the end and the choppa that comes down to pick you up and whisk you off to the next challenge.

As you blast your way through each stage, there's cages that can be blown open, revealing another character, except you can't see who it is. By opening the cage and walking up to the bro, the new character is revealed and the one you're controlling is gone, converted into a spare life for use later on (although, it's worth noting, that when you cash in the next life - that is, when you die - you won't get the hero you had previously, but another randomly plucked from the roster). If you find yourself in control of an action hero that you enjoy playing with, you subsequently start weighing up whether or not it's worth grabbing new lives, as there's a chance you're going to get a character you're less comfortable with.

Regardless of which bro you get, there's a few constants. For a start, all the levels are highly destructible; using guns, bombs and melee weapons you can chomp through scenery, blowing up red barrels, setting off gas canisters like fireworks, and tunnelling down into the ground to avoid attacks when required. Sometimes a well-placed shot can be enough to kickstart a devastating chain of pixelated explosions. Sometimes you do that purely by accident. Simply put, it's onscreen carnage of the highest, most satisfying order.

One of Broforce's selling points is the variety of different characters, and the distinct approaches that must be taken when handling each one. Every character has a different basic attack, and their own special move that they can use to get them out of a tight spot. Each attack and special move is linked to the character's cinematic roots, and it's clear that Free Lives has an incredible amount of affection for their source material.

But the appeal of Broforce isn't just tied to the game's reverence of 80s and 90s action movies; it's a hugely enjoyable platformer from a mechanical perspective too. There's so much going on in the screen, but the visual language is clear and concise. You intuitively know how the features in the environment are going to work, and the movement of the heroes is balanced and precise. The levels are designed in such a way that they're quick to navigate, but full of possibilities depending on personal style and the hero you're controlling.

Levels start to get challenging pretty quickly, but it's so much fun that pushing through the pain barrier becomes a necessity, and the Russian roulette of which character you get ensures that each run is different from the last. At the end of each there's a bloody roll call of destruction, where the devastation you inflicted on your enemies is demonstrated to you via a gory summarisation. Getting to checkpoints and hoisting up a flag aids your progress and anchors you mid-level, but completing a stage and jumping on the rope ladder that dangles from the helicopter sent to retrieve you is utterly satisfying.

There's a Brototype out there that's free to try, and acts as a demo of the game by offering a chance to try out an early build. For a more feature complete experience you can buy access to the beta, or even wait for it land on Steam Early Access (it's going to be launching there any day now).

The beta version that we've been playing has plenty to offer, including a level editor and the chance to play through community built levels. Given the source material, we're envisaging a future filled with a wealth of player-generated content that pays further homage to the heroes in the game. We played through a few of these levels, and some of them contain devilish challenges, and they'll potentially add tons of longevity to the package for dedicated fans.

More interesting are the multiplayer options. Local co-op is a blast, with players working together to take down the different stages. If you've got a grudge to settle there's a local deathmatch mode where each player has a handful of lives, and must take each other out in a small multi-leveled arena. Every time a player dies, their next life is flown in by a chopper and battle commences once again. The other multiplayer mode that can be played locally is the 'Explosion Run', where players have to charge through a literal minefield of explosions and enemies before the screen catches up with them.

There's online co-op too, but we had a few issues with the netcode that rendered it unplayable at times. It needs work, but hopefully it'll be a fully functional sooner rather than later, because this is one game that we want to be playing with our friends online.

If you haven't already guessed, we like Broforce. As Free Lives irons out the little kinks, it's only going to get better (if it gets worse there'll be hell to pay). We like the different modes, we love the visual style, and we can't get enough of the different bros and the unique way that each plays. Even in its current state, it's worth your attention. Get on the Brototype today, and if that satisfies your lust for explosive, pixelated 80s-inspired action, don't be afraid to invest in the beta. Bro.