Plain Sight

For Reasons Best known to themselves the sword-waving robots of whatever world Plain Sight is set in are locked in a perpetual deathmatch.

It seems they kill each other, because killing each other gives them energy and makes them bigger. As you grow bigger, the energy reward for killing you is greater. So, it's a matter of storing as much energy, and as big a multiplier, as you can before you bottle it. When you're a big enough target that everyone's after your energy, it's time to commit explosive suicide.

Suicide cashes in your energy points, along with any multiplier you've picked up from chain kills, and another multiplier for any enemies who got destroyed by your nuclear seppuku. Banking your points lets you upgrade your tin fella - adding shields, speed, a warning indicator that tells you when someone's locked on, and various other bonuses, such as reducing the time taken to detonate (during which you're completely prone).

Suicide Is Hilarious

So far, so conkers. But Plain Sight is set over a number of retro 3D maps which work like Mario Galaxy spheres. You attack another player by locking on, constantly running, jumping, and swirling your mouse, and holding down the left button to lock on and build up a charge. Once the orange reticules align and turn red, you're in with a chance -release the mouse button to launch yourself into a lethal boost. Assuming they haven't disappeared halfway around the planet by the time you let go.

A helpful touch is the trails players leave. Colour-coded by the energy level of their owner, they give you a sense of direction and purpose in a world that would be blank and baffling otherwise. Five modes mix up the gameplay - from classic deathmatch, to causing the biggest explosion, to Ninja! Ninja! Ninja! Robozilla!, in which you take it in turns to wreak as much carnage as possible before the other players whittle your health away. Practice mode is good for teaching yourself the basics, against some competent but unchallenging AI. It's online where you'll get your skills flexed, your wrists tested, and your inner ears screwed with. It's frantic, non-stop action that leaves you with the perfect combination of exhilaration, satisfaction and a nugget of injustice that makes you want to play again.

Plain Sight is a simple little game that's polished and varied enough to compete with the big boys in terms of pure, joyful fun.