Intro:
HyperDot is a rather tricky game to talk about. There is so little to discuss that I suspect it will one of the shorter reviews I have done. However, it is an entertaining game. A fun, challenging title to test your reflexes and pattern memorization.
Gameplay:
HyperDot is an avoid-them-up bullet hell...thing. There is no story to be found here. Never the less, the levels are varied enough to where the game does not get boring. Multiplayer is a thing, but it is only local, and I have no one else to play the game with so it’s not getting talked about today. The player spends each level trying to avoid the various projectiles. While solving whatever task required going onto the next stage. These can be anything from outlasting the hell that is bullets, collecting items, or staying in the magic circle filling a bar. The challenge revolves around staying alive and adapting on the fly, as you can die within a single hit.
The patterns
Pattern recognition is key, as you cannot do much else apart from following the former. For example, pink triangles act like heat-seeking missiles while red squares function purely as straightforward, predictable hazards. Along with this, each level offers a different selection of gameplay augments. One being Superdot, it’s Superhot but with a dot. Blocks only move when you do. As a result, the player has to think about the best means to survive or complete the task required. Another can be speed or size increase/decrease. Hampering or hindering the player from level to level, along with the gradual incremental inclusion of multiple augments, allow for a vast combination of patterns and puzzles for the player to dig their teeth into.
Difficulty jumps
For the most part, HyperDot’s difficulty curve is competently curved. But there have been at least two instances when the game decides to lock you in a level where you are supposed to survive. All the while being machine-gunned with projectiles in such a tight pattern, you have no chance of escaping it. I genuinely had no idea what I was supposed to in those situations, that being the constricted levels of 62 and 82. No matter where I moved or the speed at which, I just got trapped in a corner and died. These levels were frustrating as there didn't appear to be any solution and were jarringly difficult in stark contrast to the levels pre and proceeding it. I kind of wish they made up the final levels. Such as levels 95 or 99 as opposed to 62 and 82.
Art style and Graphics:
Colors are soft and varied, the audiovisual design has a laid-back feel that is strangely relaxing even when you are banging your head on a wall. The minimalistic visuals compliment the gameplay perfectly. They ensure that everything is signposted and maintain a relaxing vibe to make sure that the player does not quit in anger.
Performance:
Perfect
Conclusion:
HyperDot is very fun but it does not leave much of an impression. If you want to test your skills and reflexes, give this a shot. If not then please look elsewhere.