When Foamstars first splashed onto screens earlier this yr, the preliminary response was that it desperately desires to be Splatoon. Now, having performed a handful of matches, I can verify that, though it tries a number of new issues, the comparisons with Nintendo’s inky shooter are utterly legitimate.
Truthfully, enjoying 4 matches of a single mode throughout gamescom is nowhere close to sufficient to get a correct really feel of the sport. It’s barely lengthy sufficient to familiarise your self with the controls. But having performed a bunch of Splatoon 3 just lately, the exact same mechanics of taking pictures brightly-coloured goop and transferring rapidly across the enviornment is on the centre of what Foamstars does. Naturally, there are delicate variations: the froth you hearth has a way more three-dimensional impact on the match – a lot so it’s attainable to put down a wall of bubbles that present a barrier between you and the enemy – however the best way it impacts motion is equivalent to Splatoon’s paint. You can transfer rapidly and freely throughout your workforce’s color, however scooting by the opposition’s foam is like wading by treacle. Similarly, you don’t dive into the froth like Splatoon’s Inklings however surf throughout the floor as a substitute, however the mixture of laying down hearth after which zipping in the direction of your goal could be very acquainted.
The mode I performed was a four-vs-four battle known as Smash the Star and the purpose was easy sufficient: ‘kill’ gamers on the opposing workforce seven instances, at which level their finest participant turns into the ‘star’; knock them out and it’s recreation over. There have been eight characters on supply, break up into 4 varieties: some carry rapid-firing blasters that supply a superb steadiness between firepower and pace, whereas heavies carry shotguns that fireplace bubbles able to pushing the opposition again. There are precision characters who depend on laser-guided pictures to extend hit price, and lastly Foamstars who carry large cannons able to laying down a ton of froth. Each additionally has two distinctive particular assaults too, like grenades that ship a burst of froth on influence to an enormous shark torpedo the launches on the opposition.
There’s lots happening and rapidly it turns into a sea of pastel blue and pink, with little distinction between your team-mates and the opposition
There’s clearly a candy spot when it comes to workforce set-up, utilizing assist characters to cowl as a lot of the sector in foam to permit the sooner gamers to maneuver extra simply, however understanding the meta of every character takes time – one thing that wasn’t afforded for this demo. Instead it felt chaotic, even after we tried working collectively as a workforce. This is partly because of the presentation: there’s lots happening on-screen and rapidly it turns into a sea of pastel blue and pink, with little distinction between your team-mates and the opposition.
I discovered this probably the most difficult if you or your team-mates are coated in a ball of froth, which occurs if you take too many hits. It’s Foamstars’ equal of being downed and also you’re left to slowly roll round in a giant ball of bubbles till both an opposing participant surfs into you – which knocks you out totally, costing one of many seven lives and forcing you to restart from the sting of the sector – or one in every of your team-mates will get to you first, placing you straight again into the battle. But downed enemies are coated within the same-coloured foam as what covers the battlefield in order that they’re arduous to select within the frenzy of a firefight, and moving into the rhythm of attacking and conserving your team-mates up and operating was more difficult than it ought to be.
Undoubtedly that is one thing that can probably get simpler over time, and there’s additionally the chance it could be adjusted throughout the the rest of growth, however it’s positively a downside within the demo I performed. That stated, Foamstars does have the muse to be a enjoyable recreation. The gunplay feels tight and the motion is fluid, and the thought of dramatically altering the battlefield by making bubble mountains that should be clambered over is one which has large potential.
Visually it has loads of aptitude, mixing the type of Persona with the pace of Jet Set Radio, and it ran easily with no stutters, regardless of the arenas being swamped with foam that always adjustments the form and floor of the battlefield.
There are extra modes to be revealed too, together with a single-player recreation I’m hoping will assist gamers get conversant in the intricacies of Foamstar’s mechanics. Will or not it’s sufficient to tug gamers away from Splatoon? I believe that’s unlikely, but when it may possibly fulfil its potential within the run-up to launch, it’d catch the attention of those that don’t have a Switch.
Alex is IGN’s Features Director and Head of UK Studio, and has an unhealthy obsession with LEGO. He used to have a Twitter account earlier than it was shut down.
