Geneshift‘s focus is providing a fun experience that’s enjoyable both in single player and in multiplayer sessions and while it may still be in its early access version it’s already clear that this could achieve what Left 4 Dead did for first-person shooter multiplayer games in the top down running and gunning genre. Geneshift may not be completely finished yet but I’m hoping that a multiplayer community builds up around the early access version so that we can see this game reach its fullest potential and in the best environment possible. My time with the game was in a single player setting and I really enjoyed myself. I’m excited about diving into this and losing a few hours here and there with a few friends.
Geneshift is a top-down shooter where you’re tasked with running through levels and gunning down enemies while you earn cash, new abilities, and better weapons. You’ll also end up jumping into vehicles and gunning through waves of enemies. As you progress through the game you’ll pick up new and better weapons while you also unlock new mutant abilities for your character. There’s a lot happening and for the most part, it seems to work well. There were times it felt overwhelming with all the different things you can do and objectives you’re able to complete. It’s mostly a good thing though as there’s plenty to do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOFMNI4Wh88
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There’s a lot to do in Geneshift. The core campaign mode can be played single player or co-op and it’ll have you shooting your way through levels while you destroy zombies, pick up new weapons, and unlock new abilities. This is a pretty entertaining mode. Levels do feel a little disjointed at times but overall they’re enjoyable enough. There’s an arrow that will help direct you levels which can be useful if you’re not completely sure where to go. This is really helpful because the level design isn’t always the most intuitive. There were plenty of times where I wanted to explore a bit more and would get off track and begin to get a little lost or just not be one hundred percent on where to go. The arrow helped make sure I didn’t stray too far from the path though. The level design works well enough though.
The graphics have a good level of charm about them. Polygons may be present and effects may seem a little limited but Geneshift does a great job of wearing the charm on its sleeve and it makes for an enduring experience. There’s plenty to experience in the main campaign with up to four friends but the developer made sure to toss in some other content to mix up the action. From ‘Capture the Flag’ to racing vehicles to just destroying the zombie outbreak that’s attempting to wipe out the world, there’s so much to do in Geneshift. One of my favorite parts about Geneshift is that it supports user generated maps. I don’t think fans of the game will ever really get bored with how much the developer has put into it but if they ever have any ideas they can create them and enjoy them in single player or with friends.
There are a lot of things to do in Geneshift and I think it’ll be a large reason for its success if it takes off in the multiplayer community. The amount of options it possesses also makes it a great pick for YouTubers to pick it up. I’d love to see SomeCallMeJohnny and other YouTubers do some Let’s Plays with it. The user generated content and the sheer amount of options could be really fun in the right hands. Before we even get to see what the community creates for us to experience though there’s already a plethora of great things wrapped into Geneshift. Multiple difficulty levels, the ability to play single player, 5v5 multiplayer matches, a campaign that supports up to four players, leaderboards and the ability to keep gaining new abilities as you play through the campaign mode should keep Geneshift fun and interesting while we wait to see how it continues to grow and what the community does with it.
The game does feel a little limited right now but it’s also a very ambitious project that’s still early in its development, despite it existing for about eight years. It’s clear that creator Ben Johnson cares about Geneshift and wants to see it succeed. He’s active on discord and very engaged with the community and I’m excited to the continued collision between Ben Johnson and the community and how it helps the game continue to grow.
At this point in the development it’s difficult to see how far Geneshift will go but in its current form, it’s entertaining enough with plenty of room to continue to grow. It does feel a bit shallow in its current form and I think it’s due to just how far stretched it is but at the same time Ben Johnson’s ambition is as bold as it is clear. I’m positive that this game can continue to grow in both scope and quality with the right community and dedication from the developer, and it’s clear we already have the latter. Now is a great to invest in Geneshift, blow stuff up with friends, and be a part of the growth that is sure to happen with this hidden gem of a game.
A Steam Early Access Review key for Geneshift was provided by Nik Nak Studios for the Purpose of this Review
Geneshift
Pros
- Plenty of different game modes to enjoy both in single player and with friends
- New abilities and weapons can be acquired to up your arsenal
- User generated content could really help bolster this experience if the community latches onto it
- Developer Ben Johnson is both dedicated to Geneshift and very involved with the community
Cons
- Geneshift could be tighter and more polished if it wasn't stretched as thin but the ambition and scope may pay off over time
