Walk tall and carry a big sword.
Furi is by far one of the most interesting titles to release this year. It landed on PS4 a while back as part of the PS Plus lineup, and now before year’s end, Xbox One owners will have a chance to give it a whirl. The game combines several genre types and a unique art style to create an experience all its own.
Think of Furi like a boss rush mode, where the main goal is to take down themed enemies one at a time. Each one employs new tactics, and outside of combat, there is no exploration or collectibles, just a long walk, where our character is given some back story on his next opponent. It is weird on so many levels, but also hugely interesting. The combination of cryptic dialogue and a stellar soundtrack mix together to craft a world full of intrigue.
MSRP: $19.99
Platforms: XB1 (reviewed), PS4, PC
Price I’d Pay: $19.99
As I mentioned, there is zero exploration in the game. In between each fight my character, known only as The Stranger, just walks to the next arena while being given back story by The Voice. There is even an auto walk button. Combat is where this game shines, and also where it derives most of its personality.
The Stranger can slash with his sword, but also has a gun that can fire at enemies by using the right analog stick. There is also a parry button, a dash, and everything can be charged. It is a deep combat system, and each enemy I encountered had a unique fighting style, and waves of attacks. At the outset of each fight both combatants have a series of energy bars, and each wave knocks one off. Fail enough to lose them all, and the battle starts over. This can be extremely defeating when making it to the final wave of a boss fight and losing, but learning their patterns and strategies is pretty much the entire game.
What I really love about Furi is its style. The game features a colorful visual look that really stands out. Each boss features their own color palette and environments. The designs are very eccentric and look really great in HD. The music is also outstanding. Tracks that mimic 80s synthesizer tunes really fit the world. The Stranger never speaks, but The Voice’s somber tones really mesh well with the world as well.
Furi is a game all about style and combat, and it nails both of those aspects perfectly. For Xbox One owners that didn’t get a chance to check it out when it hit PS4 earlier this year, I highly recommend diving in now. The combat is fun, and the world is interesting. It actually works in combining several game types and making them work. It is challenging for sure, but never unfair.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
