Summary
CyberCorp shows flashes of potential, but until it fixes its flawed in-game economy and makes the loot system feel more rewarding, it remains a lukewarm entry into the world of loot shooters.
Developer – Megame
Publisher – Megame
Platforms – PC (Reviewed)
Review copy given by Developer
When you think of loot shooters, you probably immediately jump to games like Destiny or The Division, but CyberCorp wants to jump into the genre with a more top-down approach. Set in a cyberpunk world, the game attempts to combine frenetic combat with an endless cycle of loot hunting and customization. The game delivers on its promise of fast-paced action and chaotic encounters, but unfortunately, it falters in some of the key areas that make loot shooters so addictive.
To briefly describe the story of the game, CyberCorp is set in a future controlled by powerful corporations, where CyberCorp has developed Synths—artificial soldiers controlled remotely by operators via neural connections. These Synths are more advanced than traditional robots, giving CyberCorp an edge over rival company Solar Industries. You play as a newly hired operator tasked with investigating a spike in criminal activity in the city, navigating through dangerous missions while uncovering the corporate power struggle, all within a cyberpunk world filled with action, intrigue, and witty dialogue.
The visuals and combat mechanics are solid, with an isometric viewpoint that gives you a great overview of the battlefield. The flow of the game can be exhilarating at times, especially when you’re mowing down waves of enemies and upgrading your cybernetic character. However, the real issues start to creep in when you examine the loot system and in-game economy.
The currency in CyberCorp feels almost pointless. While loot shooters are usually defined by the allure of grinding for better gear, here, the currency becomes obsolete all too quickly. You’ll often find better items simply through looting than what you could buy in the shop, which renders the entire economy somewhat moot. There are times when you’ll loot equipment with superior stats directly from enemies or chests, bypassing the need to spend money entirely. It diminishes the value of the items available in the store, leaving players feeling like the game lacks the depth and satisfaction found in other titles of the genre.
Some other minor annoyances are the horrible Google Translate voice acting, and the overall laggy and buggy interface mixed with poor controller support that seems like an afterthought on how to properly use the controller with the key mapping. There were also several instances where the text blended too much into the background, like the second objective in the image above.
Ultimately, CyberCorp shows flashes of potential, but until it fixes its flawed in-game economy and makes the loot system feel more rewarding, it remains a lukewarm entry into the world of loot shooters. While the game is technically still in “Early Access” according to Steam, the game has been in a beta/early state for some time with the dev dedicating a lot of focus on player feedback which is appreciated, but the game, while good for a short time between others, still just isn’t there yet in my opinion.
