Sometimes a video game comes along that changes how a person views an entire industry. A game that challenges someone’s preconceived notions, that pushes the boundaries of what a game could be and elevates what is usually seen as mindless entertainment into an art form all its own.
“Broforce” is that game.
At its core “Broforce” is a simple game, as it is a loving parody of both super-violent action movies and super-violent video games, neither of which are typically praised for their complexity. The player takes the role of a member of the titular Broforce, described as an “under-funded, over-powered paramilitary organization dealing exclusively in excessive force.” The Broforce is made up exclusively from the heroes of action films of every stripe. Represented in the game are Robocop, Rambo, the Terminator, Chuck Norris and others, all with unique abilities with varying amounts of effectiveness and the word “bro” strategically placed in their names so as to deflect lawsuits (as in, “Brobocop,” “Rambro,” etc.)
The player is then dropped on a map and pointed at a bevy of generic enemies that need a good killin’. After shooting, stabbing, bombing, exploding, dog-killing, airstriking, flamethrowing, lasergunning, giant-stompy-battle-mech-destroying and roast-turkey-with-a-bundle-of-dynamite-shoved-in-it-throwing their way through the level, the player confronts the boss of the level—Satan wearing a business suit. Killing him and touching the last checkpoint (a flagpole bearing the stars ‘n stripes, natch) ends the level and sends in the rescue chopper, allowing the player to fly away unharmed as the level blows up behind them.
Gameplay is fast and frantic, with explosions and gunfire going off left and right. This can be a detriment, however—sometimes a player doesn’t realize that they’ve been hit until they respawn back at an earlier checkpoint. In a game with one-hit kills and limited lives, this can be a problem.
As the player goes through the levels, they can rescue their bros, kept as POWs by the enemy. These translate directly into lives, and rescuing a certain amount of them unlocks new bros to play as. One nifty feature the game has is destructible terrain, a la “Terraria,” that opens up some strategic elements to gameplay. One enemy—the aforementioned giant-stompy-battle-mech—can’t really be harmed by regular gunfire. But undermining the ground underneath them is very effective, and once the pilot is dead the player can take control of the robot for themselves, raining chaos on the enemy. Besides giant robots, enemies include regular riflemen, grenade-throwers, suicide bombers that explode when they die, taking other enemies (or the player) with them and starting explosive chain-reactions, big guys with mini guns that take a substantial amount of effort to kill and dogs that can eat dead bodies to grow larger and more powerful.
There are a number of modes for players to choose from. There are two different campaigns—one taking place on a map of Vietnam, the other an “arcade” campaign that just goes from level to level. Up to four players can join in locally to go through the campaigns or partake of the multiple multiplayer modes, including regular death match, a race mode, an “explosion run” mode where the players run from an ever-encroaching explosion and online multiplayer—but this game is definitely a “couch-play” game, intended for four people sitting in the same room. There’s also a level editor, allowing players to make their own levels. Custom levels and campaigns from other players are available to download and play.
The game was developed by South African developer Free Lives, as part of the Ludum Dare game jam, and published by Devolver. The game was so positively received at the game jam that it was decided to turn it into a full game. There is apparently supposed to be a story, with all sorts of complicated themes and subtle metaphorical statements about important things or whatever, but the game as it stands has no real story beyond killing everything that moves.
But that lack of a story is why this game is so engrossing. It’s simple, to-the-point and direct. There’s no deep thoughts to be had here—it’s just a solid lump of excellent gameplay. In that respect, this game is video gaming in its purest form, fun, frantic and addictive. It’s a must-play.
Admittedly, the game has its problems. Since the game spawns the player as a random character, they are sometimes at a distinct disadvantage in certain situations—some of the melee-combat focused characters seem to be underpowered, with “Indiana Brones” and his whip the biggest offender.
“MacBrover’s” dynamite is useful, but only in certain situations. At other times, it’s far too finicky to use in a game such as this. Sometimes all the player wants (And indeed, needs) is a good, ol’ fashioned shotgun, but what they get is “Mr. Anderbro” and his Kung Fu. And since it’s an early access game, some of what’s there seems unfinished or rough, or could be better realized. But even with those minor criticisms, “Broforce” is an excellent game that is definitely worth playing.
“Broforce” is $14.99 and is available on the Playstation 4, Playstation Vita and through Steam on the PC and Macintosh. A free version of the game intended as a marketing tie-in for the latest Expendables movie is also available until Dec. 31.
