Review

Hard Reset review

Hard Reset fully embraces old-school shooting mechanics from the 90’s and eschews many of the modern tropes found in today’s games. There’s no cover system, no melee combat, and no regenerating health.

Ozzie Mejia

September 14, 2011 3:00 PM

Flying Wild Hog are no strangers to shooters. The studio is largely comprised of former designers from People Can Fly, the developers behind Painkiller and the more-recent Bulletstorm. So it’s no surprise that Flying Wild Hog has arrived on the gaming scene, guns blazing, with Hard Reset. Hard Reset takes place in a dystopian future, where machines have taken over and humanity is largely in hiding. While Hard Reset’s story is set in the future, the gameplay mechanics are inspired by the past. This game fully embraces old-school shooting mechanics from the 90’s and eschews many of the modern tropes found in today’s games. There’s no cover system, no melee combat, and no regenerating health. Instead, I had to ration health pack use, and manage my limited sprint to escape attacks. In many ways, Hard Reset feels like a horror game, with machines ready for ambush around every corner. I could always hear the whirring and clicking of nearby machines. As soon as the music would intensify, I knew dozens of small killer machines would start stampeding in my direction. The constant ambushes made me feel like I was taking on a malevolent AI, one that was enjoying making me sweat. Thankfully, smart players will be able to take advantage of the surrounding environment. In a future where everything is run by machines, there’s ample opportunity to shoot a nearby electrical post and destroy enemies with the resulting discharge. While the game's survival horror feel is one of its strengths, it's also one of its weaknesses. Fletcher’s movements feel stiff, and become especially problematic during boss fights. Bosses often tower over Fletcher and use attacks that follow his every movement. Many of the game’s bosses use heat-seeking lasers and missiles and Fletcher’s clumsy movements made it incredibly difficult to dodge these attacks, especially since I often found myself sprinting myself into a wall or a corner.

Hard Reset

The plot also falls short. While its familiar premise starts simple enough, the narrative goes off on several nonsensical tangents. Thankfully, none of the plot elements that unfold affect actual gameplay, outside of taking Fletcher from point A to point B. But, the story feels like a chore to sit through. It’s a shame, because the cutscenes are beautifully illustrated with a keen graphic novel style. An art style such as this deserves a more coherent plot. In spite of its flaws, Hard Reset is a fun throwback to the 90s, powered by current-gen tech. A good number of today's FPS titles feel formulaic, in terms of control mechanics and features. Hard Reset brings a distinctly different style to the table and it's a welcome change from the norm. [The Hard Reset review is based on a final version of the game, provided by developer Flying Wild Hog.]

Ozzie Mejia

Senior Editor

Ozzie has been playing video games since picking up his first NES controller at age 5. He has been into games ever since, only briefly stepping away during his college years. But he was pulled back in after spending years in QA circles for both THQ and Activision, mostly spending time helping to push forward the Guitar Hero series at its peak. Ozzie has become a big fan of platformers, puzzle games, shooters, and RPGs, just to name a few genres, but he’s also a huge sucker for anything with a good, compelling narrative behind it. Because what are video games if you can't enjoy a good story with a fresh Cherry Coke?

Filed Under

From The Chatty

Refresh Go To Thread

Shacknews

 reply
September 14, 2011 3:00 PM

Ozzie Mejia posted a new article, Hard Reset review.

Hard Reset fully embraces old-school shooting mechanics from the 90’s and eschews many of the modern tropes found in today’s games. There’s no cover system, no melee combat, and no regenerating health.
- [deleted] 355768971
  
   reply
  September 14, 2011 3:23 PM
  
  [deleted]
- Milleh
  
   reply
  September 14, 2011 3:47 PM
  
  Unfortunately, this reads like a glorified preview based on a demo or a developer walk-through, rather than a full review based on the final product :\
  
  I suppose that the demo is all that I need to determine whether or not I will like this game anyways.
  - XAVdeMATOS
    
     reply
    September 14, 2011 4:34 PM
    
    This review is based on a final version of the game, played in its entirety.
    - Milleh
      
       reply
      September 14, 2011 4:43 PM
      
      I don't doubt that, at all. It's just a feeling that I got from the lack of depth in the review.
      
      I could be in the minority though, I like my reviews long and informative, but many would consider that unnecessary.
      - XAVdeMATOS
        
         reply
        September 14, 2011 4:46 PM
        
        Our reviews are, and have been for a while, based more on the experience and impressions. We don't tend to dwell on technical things unless they hinder/enhance the experience.
        
        Just the way we do it here.
        
        Nitrium
        
         reply
        September 14, 2011 4:56 PM
        
        I don't like it, but I respect that and I think it's cool that you guys are trying that angle.
        
        Milleh
        
         reply
        September 14, 2011 4:59 PM
        
        I am in the same boat, I just wish that I could use the shack as a one stop shop, which would include reviews. BUT, thank you Ozzie for elaborating for me in another thread, cool of him to do that.
        
        Mecha Tofu Pirate
        
         reply
        September 14, 2011 5:09 PM
        
        Yeah, I learned a lot more about the game from the thread (which was really awesome of him btw) than from the review I think.
        
        Mecha Tofu Pirate
        
         reply
        September 14, 2011 5:07 PM
        
        I don't really care for it either :(
        
        I mean, I still get a basic idea of what the game is like and if it's any good but I wish some things in the review were elaborated on some more.
  - jacobvandy
    
     reply
    September 14, 2011 4:35 PM
    
    Yeah, these reviews are getting shorter and shallower by the day...
    - ryuuseki
      
       reply
      September 14, 2011 4:54 PM
      
      Kind of like games?
  - [deleted] 686487397
    
     reply
    September 14, 2011 4:46 PM
    
    [deleted]
    - BlockheadBrown
      
       reply
      September 14, 2011 4:56 PM
      
      Oh, to be a popped kernel...
    - MercFox1
      
       reply
      September 14, 2011 5:09 PM
      
      http://chattypics.com/files/Popcorn15ScaryMovie_rfb2blner5.gif
      - Mr. Monday
        
         reply
        September 15, 2011 2:14 AM
        
        Wheres the Michael Jackson gif?
- isochronous
  
   reply
  September 14, 2011 5:19 PM
  
  Wow, a whole 25 sentences scattered among 7 paragraphs. I know you guys are going for more of an "experience and impressions" take on reviews, but seriously, give us SOME detail. How were the weapons? Was the voice acting good? Was the enemy design memorable? In trying to simplify your reviews you've managed to eliminate the elements of game reviews that I look for when making a buying decision, forcing me to go elsewhere to find useful write-ups.
- ghndndb
  
   reply
  September 14, 2011 7:58 PM
  
  Come go and see, will not regret it Oh look
  
  http://www。benzlogo。com
- soundcreepy
  
   reply
  September 14, 2011 10:31 PM
  
  anyone know if this game is really only 4-5 hours?
  - Zips
    
     reply
    September 15, 2011 2:29 AM
    
    I'm, I think, over four hours into it and really only had one major boss fight so far. Maybe I'm just taking my time though I don't think I am, but I hope that I don't have only about an hour left of gaming.