Endurance: Space Action Review on Xbox

Endurance is a story driven top-down twin stick shooter with a 2D pixel based art style and is the prequel to the developer’s first game Aliment. All reviews (unless stated otherwise) are based on the Developer/Publisher providing myself with a review code, which i am grateful for, but does not influence my outcome.

The premise is that you are a crew member of the star ship Endurance, when a strange virus breaks out that turns your fellow crew insane and against you.  The main character and his friends then have to fight their way through the laboratory spaceship in a bid to call for help and find out how the virus spreads/who is responsible.

The game boasts a light RPG system, NPC sidekicks, brutal animations, a plethora of weapons, simple controls and hard-core gameplay, if you so choose. 

Gameplay

I haven’t played the original game Aliment, so I went into this with no knowledge of the game at all. From the start you get to choose your character from a small selection of people each with their own stats. The characters stats are speed, shield regen, health regeneration and trap detection. Regardless of whom you choose these elements can be raised as you progress, so it essentially comes down to what de-buff do you wish to start with. Each person name is a variation of Sam, which Is ideal, as it means that the games story and NPC interactions wont have to change how they interact with you regardless of person you choose.

Once you have chosen said person, the game starts with you without a weapon and soon all hell breaking loose as your fellow crew attacks you. You soon find a gun and in doing so a new aspect of the game opens up. You see, as you progress you will find/unlock weapons, but also you can at any time with the right amount of credits buy the unlocked guns. Now this may seem strange at first as why buy weapons, when you can find them. Well above the weapon itself is a bar which indicates its useability, as every time you use it, it slowly degrades. You don’t have to keep an eye on your ammo, but instead its health, as once its gone the gun breaks and is lost from your inventory. 

There is a large array of weapons to get to grips with and each has their own stat in terms of damage. And depending on the enemy type, its effectiveness. I found bullet orientated weapons good on the average crew, but not so good on drones. Electrical weapons are the role reversal, and for me the best boss weapon, was the homing rocket launcher. As you progress through the game, these things soon become second nature to you.

To purchase said weapons, you need credits which you can find in lockers or trunks around the map, but most will be from the enemies you kill. Credits is life, not only does this allow you access to better guns, but also can be used to increase your stats permanently and replenish health. Speaking of health, you cant upgrade how much you have, as this booster is only found as an item, hidden within the levels. And I would recommend upgrading your health regen as quick as possible, as its very easy to be swarmed by loads of enemies and killed. You are given 2 lives per level, however, you can only access them by using 200 credits, so again keep some aside just in case.

To progress through the game you are often tasked with objectives, and these often mean opening a door that’s blocking your way by the use of a terminal found in a different part of the level. This is also here to encourage you to explore, which I suggest you do as you as if you don’t your miss the valuable health booster and good amount of credits. This isn’t the only objective you need to do, with others being speed runs to the exit, escort of crew members, survive an encounter and boss battles, thrown in for good measure. For me the survive an encounter was abit bland, as I soon found an exploit of just waiting outside the designated area till the timer finished, and then mopped up any remaining enemies. Boss encounters can also be exploited with a similar solution if you have the homing rocket launcher.

Level design is pretty well done, and with a enlargeable map as well, it means the frustration of going to your target objective, is often easy. The control system is simple, with the left stick used for movement, and the right used to rotate where your gun is aimed at, in the environment. Shooting is on triggers, with the button B for accessing gun purchase and button X for Stat selection. The Y button has been left for a pop-able shield which you only get about half way through the game.

Overall though I did enjoy playing the game and whilst I found some exploits to some situations, it didn’t dampen the experience of the game. It’s a fun title that you can sit down and play without too much thought and just murder your fellow crew members, safe in the knowledge your helping them move to a better place.

Graphics

As stated previous the game has a lovely 2d 16bit retro style that have been implemented. One aspect which the developer has gone quite in-depth with, is the brutal death animations of your enemies, from the varied weapons. This alone make it fun to go through, and see what these gruesome scenes which you can bring upon your fellow crew members. The game has about 30 levels in total and these vary from locations such as sewers, offices, laboratories, engine room and the bridge. Each are a collection of detailed template tiles put together to make the level, and thankfully has enough different tiles to ensure that things change enough to ensure the landscape doesn’t become stale.

The story itself is nothing too out of the ordinary, but has are some great pop culture references for you to chuckle too as you make your way through the game. 
 
Sound

There is no voicework with the story being preferred to be told by text, however, in this instance I did prefer it this way. With regards to general Sound, the design has been to limit what can be heard, with generic rattles and little hums of the ship as the basis for the atmosphere. Only guns sounds are loud and varied and in that regard, playing it helps push the game along with sounds of gunfire as you main preference. Overall the sound provides a good atmosphere, but its really there as a second element to the sounds of your weapons,  which are best experienced over a good gaming headset.

Verdict 
This leads me onto the rating of the game:-
Now I rate games in order of, avoid, on sale, great purchase and must own. My rating for Endurance is "On Sale".

For me, the was game is fun, smooth and enjoyable in every way and has made me want to try out the developers first game, Aliment. However, my sticking point is that I do think the price is abit high for the content you are getting. Regardless I must praise the lone developer for his skill and look forward to seeing what they can produce next.

The game is currently priced on Xbox at £6.69 or approx $8, and depending on skill and patience would give you about 6+ hours worth of gameplay to potentially clear the story, and the replay ability factor of doing the hardcore mode if wanted.

For me the price is a bit high, and when checking the other platforms this currently exists on, console is by far the most expensive. Mobile platform coming in at a quarter of the price at £2.39, for what I see as the same game with no major improvements or extras. Note this is probably more to do with the publisher than the developer in terms of price setting. Is the game fun, yes, but in this instance, id recommend supporting the lone developer on a cheaper platform or wait till the price comes down on Xbox