Hextreme Void is a such a simple concept, it is a wonder why a game like this wasn’t released years ago. Mixing the brick breaking gameplay of Arkanoid with the leveling mechanics of a Survivors clone, this single player experience is entirely passive but still is oddly satisfying while it lasts.
Other than selecting which power up you want, this auto-brick breaker has no user input. In summary, this is a Survivors game that you don’t actually play.
When you first start, a single ball auto-launches and bounces around the single-screened stage, destroying any brick it touches. Eventually that ball will multiply, get stronger, move faster, and gain a higher chance of critical hits and power-ups. The goal is to clear each series of stages before the timer expires. In other words, the first couple of times you play, you won’t be able to reach the finish line. However, after a couple runs, permanent upgrades will be unlocked from the main menu, allowing for the auto completion of the first series of stages. Within a short amount of time, the player will have everything unlocked and then steamroll the last couple stages within seconds.
Unlocking everything maybe takes half an hour, and there is no replay value beyond clearing the five stages. So this short-lived experience, that you don’t play, means players can earn all 1,000 gamerscore without any work and in a short amount of time; achievement hunters take note.
Even though you cannot control the balls, it is still memorizing to watch. For some reason, watching 100 bouncing balls destroying dozens of hexagonal bricks in a couple seconds is stupidly satisfying even though you had nothing to do with it. It is sort of like watching an aquarium filled with exotic fish or watching a cozy fire place at Christmas; it is there for passive, visual stimulation.
There are a couple of annoyances that need mentioning. First, the menu system is difficult to distinguish which option is being highlighted. Also, the generic free-to-download soundtrack is terrible. The good news is, the game is so short, it sort of doesn’t matter.
Even though Hextreme Void comes recommended for those wanting a Gamerscore boost in a short amount of time for little money, I feel like there is a solid foundation for a future game here. It will be curious to see if a sequel gets mad or if someone rips off this formula to create something a little deeper. It is perfectly fine as is, but this low cost EastAsiaSoft download is like the free sample at the store. It tastes good, you want more, it will leave you hungry, but know you already have dinner cooking when you get home.
SCORE: 7.5/10
By: Zachary Gasiorowski, Editor in Chief myGamer.com
X/Twitter: @ZackGaz
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