If you’re looking for something fast, furious, and fun to get stuck into with friends this weekend, then look no further than Strike Force Heroes, the new 2D arena shooter independently developed by Sky9 Games and published by IndieArk.
With its tongue planted firmly in its cheek, this mile a minute shooter throws you into the midst of the chaos as a core member of AlphaSquad. Choose to play as Riggs (Commando), Toad (Medic), Shadow (Assassin), or Bull (the hamburder-obsessed Tank), and get stuck into the action over a dozen colorful maps that will see you and your squad battling zombies, duking it out on an aircraft wing, hacking your way through the jungle, escaping a locked-down secret lab, and more.
These classic character classes are brought to life by some humorous voice acting for each character, and a story arc — complete with comic book-style cutscenes — that follow you as you progress through each new level. A little like Team Fortress meets Bro Force, the emphasis here is on colorful familiar-feeling characters, run and gun bullet spray action, and playing to your character class strengths.
Each main mission is clear in its stakes — rescue the scientist, survive the plane crash, Kill Jenkins (sorry Jenkins!), and more — while side ops cater to purists with a slew of optional Capture the Flag and Domination missions.
As you play you can unlock passive skills (ultra sight, absolute precision, blur etc.) and special hero abilities (extreme focus, full radar, smoke bomb etc.) that can provide a much needed edge during frenetic combat. Each of the character classes can also be levelled up with weapons and outfits. Found loot can be used to purchase new weapons, and if you aren’t feeling the love for a particular load out you can ‘sell’ it back to the store for something better. (Note: it’s an in-game store that allows players to spend their collected loot, and not a micro transaction system!)
In fact, careful consideration of your load out is crucial to your play style. Players can choose to participate with a safer load out, or create a clever setup that synergizes perfectly with all your equipment for risky but deadlier results. In addition, every mode supports both PvP and co-op, enabling teamwork with friends or bitter rivalries with your frenemies.
For those old enough to remember 2012’s hit flash game, this new modernized version of Strike Force Heroes feels like a fuller, and more fleshed out experience. This is definitely one to pick up and play for an hour, or to organize a session with your buddies online. There are no player limits either, so have at it!
Strike Force Heroes launches today on Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, with a price tag of $24.99 USD / €24.99 EUR.
Thanks to IndieArk for the review key.
