In the hustle and bustle of Pax East excitement, it was already Day three and time really flies when you’re having fun. Day three started out with a stop to see the game, Hyper Jam, in the Indie Mini Booth, a part of the Indie Mega Booth. Hyper Jam plays like a four-player free-for-all where you need to destroy your friends before they destroy you, a pretty simple concept.
However that’s where the simplistic features of the game end since you can get upgrades and power ups in-between rounds to help your situation and make the gameplay easier. These abilities/upgrades can range from being able to move faster, become stronger, or use lasers to attack your opponents even after you’ve met your demise. There are all kinds of weapons to use as well in the different arenas like swords, hammers, and bow and arrows to attack your enemies.
You will need to be on your guard because you never know when the next attack will come from as well as different environmental hazards, like giant holes have to be avoided too. You’re trying to get the score limit because if you win after that is achieved, you win the game and have bragging rights over your friends. However, other players can get to that score as well and they will be gunning for you so you don’t win! If you don’t win a round, don’t worry, the perks/abilities you’ll have to pick from will go in a reverse order so if you perish first, you get first pick of the goodies. It allows you to hopefully have better luck in the next round because you had the best choice of abilities to pick from. You have the chance to throw your weapons at your opponents too so you can use your weapon as a literal weapon.
Also that’s the way you exchange your weapon for a new one, either by throwing it or dropping it on the ground but be careful, if you drop it, your opponents can pick it up and use it. I was enjoying the giant hammer, similar to the hammer from the original Donkey Kong and the katana blade as they felt like the simplest to use. It was a little to tough to move and aim at the same time since it was a duel control stick control mechanism but with some practice, that shouldn’t be an issue.
Some of the weapons are ranged attacks and those would take some practice to aim such as the rocket launcher. It will have local and online play so you’ll be able to play with your friends and decide who’s the best of the 80’s looking arena brawler! It can be played with up to four players but with most arena brawlers, the more players you have, the better it is.
You also have the option to change the rules of the game to set weapons for really anything you see fit so it can played really anyway you’d like and every match will be just as crazy as the last. One of my favorite locations was the hotel roof as it looks like it was taken right off of a Miami rooftop, complete with potted plants! Combine the neon lights and music with the fast pace/action and Hyper Jam will be one of the better arena brawlers to come out this year!