Posted December 06, 2015
So, I've beaten several levels with each character and... I still don't quite know what to think of this game. It's certainly very different from what I had expected. It's riddled with unique ideas, some good, some bad.
Only after several hours I finally noticed why the gameplay seems familiar: first I noticed that it's very similar to Unreal Tournament 2004's Invasion mode and then I had a eureka moment during which I noticed that it's actually very similar to Killing Floor which happens to be based on UT's Invasion mode. Some of the enemy designs and environments are kinda similar, not to mention that both games have global character progression. Killing Floor almost feels like a spiritual successor to Firestarter, now that I think about it.
Anyway, first I thought the game was confusingly weird but decent, then I hated it when I lost for the nth time due to one of those flaming bastards blowing up or due to missing an artifact but then I whooped some serious ass which was a very satisfying experience. And I really love the perk system which, from what I recall, is almost identical to the one in Crimsonland, a game I really love. Also the special abilities are a very nice touch.
The game is definitely very quirky, badly balanced and often frustrating but I must say, after having played five levels into the game with different characters it appears like one of those widely misunderstood and underrated games to me. I only wish the levels weren't quite as narrow and weapons and ammo wouldn't stop spawning as new ones appear elsewhere. Other than that I'm having a really good time. Heck, it feels like some minor modding could already turn this into a really fantastic game. Too bad it seems that a modding community never emerged for Firestarter.
Anyway, I'm wondering what some other people's thoughts are.
Only after several hours I finally noticed why the gameplay seems familiar: first I noticed that it's very similar to Unreal Tournament 2004's Invasion mode and then I had a eureka moment during which I noticed that it's actually very similar to Killing Floor which happens to be based on UT's Invasion mode. Some of the enemy designs and environments are kinda similar, not to mention that both games have global character progression. Killing Floor almost feels like a spiritual successor to Firestarter, now that I think about it.
Anyway, first I thought the game was confusingly weird but decent, then I hated it when I lost for the nth time due to one of those flaming bastards blowing up or due to missing an artifact but then I whooped some serious ass which was a very satisfying experience. And I really love the perk system which, from what I recall, is almost identical to the one in Crimsonland, a game I really love. Also the special abilities are a very nice touch.
The game is definitely very quirky, badly balanced and often frustrating but I must say, after having played five levels into the game with different characters it appears like one of those widely misunderstood and underrated games to me. I only wish the levels weren't quite as narrow and weapons and ammo wouldn't stop spawning as new ones appear elsewhere. Other than that I'm having a really good time. Heck, it feels like some minor modding could already turn this into a really fantastic game. Too bad it seems that a modding community never emerged for Firestarter.
Anyway, I'm wondering what some other people's thoughts are.
