Loopmancer

After meeting an untimely end, private detective Xiang Zixu discovers that his life – and his quest for revenge – is only just beginning. That’s the plot of Loopmancer: a stylish action platformer that combines the magic of ancient Eastern traditions with the cold steel of a cyberpunk dystopia.

Hacking and slashing your way through Loopmancer’s colorful levels can be a whole lot of fun. Thanks to the developers’ immaculate taste in aesthetics, this is a gaming experience that will stick with you long after you’ve beaten the game. It also helps when the plot is as engaging and fascinating as it is here.

Where the Future Meets the Past

The game takes place in the somewhat distant future of 2046, in the East Asian Dragon City. A futuristic melting pot, Dragon City combines the neon-lit aesthetics we’re used to seeing in cyberpunk games with a more traditional Asian look. The result is a vibrant city that oozes with charisma, where neon lights and paper lanterns mix up together every night, delivering all the visual spectacle you’d ever want.

In the midst of this city, like in every good piece of cyberpunk fiction, there’s corruption abound. Xiang Zixu, a renowned private eye, is tasked with investigating the disappearance of a female reporter. Unfortunately, he dies during the investigation. That’s when he discovers he’s trapped in a constant loop of death and resurrection: a curse that might just help him solve this case.

Live, Die, Repeat

At its core, Loopmancer is a 2D action platformer that lets you perform a whole selection of stylish combat moves. In this regard, the game looks and plays very similarly to My friend Pedro, with the added complexity of a robust weapon and inventory system.

The increasingly difficult levels that can be found in Loopmancer are great to test Xiang’s resurrection powers. Dying is not the end here, as it allows you to replay difficult segments after powering up your character, much like a 2D version of Dark Souls.

Every reincarnation unlocks new abilities and weapons for your arsenal. With over 100 weapons and a rich variety of cybernetic enhancements at your disposal, there are all sorts of unique combinations and possibilities when it comes to combat.

All of this freedom of combat is elevated by the game’s excellent visuals. From the detailed character models to the vibrant environments, every little detail is brought to life using the powerful Unreal Engine 4, resulting in a very professional look that will have you wondering if this is a AAA game or not.

Gorgeous in Every Regard

Thanks to the UE4, Loopmancer looks absolutely incredible. The neon lights of Dragon City emit a bewitching glow that reflects gorgeously on every surface, not to mention the impressively detailed character models.

While some of the most obnoxious limitations of the engine are still present – namely slow streaming textures and some minor performance hiccups –, you simply can’t argue with the results. In the end, this is a game that not only plays flawlessly, it also manages to look fantastic doing so.

Pros

• Exceptional gameplay
• Impressively detailed environments and characters
• Fun gameplay loop

Cons

• Some very minor performance issues