SPRAWL is a first-person shooter game that is inspired by old-school shooters like Quake, Half-Life, and Deus Ex. The game is developed by Nightsprawler and was released on August 23, 2023. The game is set in a cyberpunk dystopia where you play as Seven, who is hunted and chased by the authorities of the walled city. You are tasked with bringing an end to the military Junta’s rule. To do so, you’ll have to obey the commands of a mysterious voice invading your mind.
The game is full of style, challenge, and retro charm. It has a lot of high pedigree to channel and it delivers on its source material. The game has a stellar, headbang-worthy soundtrack that should have all the hallmarks of a great game. In the five hours it took me to finish the game on Normal difficulty, I can safely say it’s scratched the corpo itch.
SPRAWL nails its fast-paced, balls-to-the-wall action like a headshot from a Barrett 50. cal. Verticality and mobility are king in this game, meaning you need to be constantly on the move if you’re going to survive the threats that await you. This military Junta ain’t here to play, they want your head. You can select from your arsenal of firepower on the fly via a weapon wheel.
The story plays second-fiddle to the gameplay, which I’m fully okay with. It’s non-invasive enough that you can safely ignore it, confident in the knowledge that your bullet-inspired carnage through the city is worthwhile. For those looking for a bit more depth in the narrative, you won’t find it here. Instead, the environments and exposition are there to provide a platform for your bullets, grenades and fluid movement antics.
SPRAWL is an awesome throwback to old-school FPS games that fans of Doom and Quake should not miss. The game’s soundtrack is stellar and its gameplay mechanics are top-notch. While the story takes a backseat to the gameplay, it’s still engaging enough to keep you invested in the world of SPRAWL.
In conclusion, SPRAWL is an excellent first-person shooter game that delivers on its promise of fast-paced action and retro charm. If you’re looking for an old-school FPS experience with modern-day mechanics, then SPRAWL is definitely worth checking out.
