Review - KIBORG

Publisher: Sobaka Studio

Developer: Sobaka Studio

Available on: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC (Steam), Xbox Series X|S

A ruthless planet. Hostile inmates in a maximum security prison. A sentence far worse than the death sentence. There is a way out, however. It involves extreme violence. Should you survive, the end of that path is freedom. However, in order to survive you must embrace circuitry and steel. You must become a cyborg. You must become the KIBORG. 

Short for kill cyborg, KIBORG is a roguelite action game from the developers behind Redeemer, an action brawler with similar qualities. This cybernetic rogue-like deliver plenty on the action and features unique mechanics to keep this one worth checking out among the the crowded rogue-like genre.

Install death

KIBORG is an action roguelike where player battle through many floors of enemies all in an attempt to break free from the prison. The prison broadcasts the player’s trials like a gameshow. Each floor features a multitude of enemies. Every few floors sees new types of enemies, such as mutants, enter the fray. No ordinary human can survive. To make it though, players need to become augmented. 

KIBORG allows players to customize their fighting abilities by customizing their bodies through cybernetic in planet. Arms, legs, head, and torso can all be augmented, making the average human into a deadly death machine programmed for pain and fighting. Customization is more than just body parts but what type of part and how that aides the player in combat. 

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Customizing the body involves choosing the right set of augments. Players can mix and match types and class but each part works best if they are the same type. For example, Fenrir is great for close range combat. You can us Fenrir arms but a guardian head, a torch heart, and Torch legs. Alternatively, you can make all your cybernetic augments Fenrir to give players special abilities and perks in combat. 

In addition to melee attacks, there are ranged attacks. Players can wield a sidearm and use it to eliminate oncoming foes. Eventually, heavier duty weapons are unlocked, such as assault rifles. These do more damage but a little unwieldy to handle. However, they are effective at keeping distant enemies at bay. 

Pow to the Hard Drive

When the gameplay comes together, KIBORG is badass in its execution and gameplay. There is a real-metal-on-bone crunch to every fight and taking down waves of enemies is a thrill. It felt great thrashing every single baddie that came my way. 

Customizing the different cybernetic augments yields different play styles. Some augments ignite enemies on failure and others electrocute enemies. It's possible test enemies on fire and shock them at the same time. It's a brutal combination and it makes KIBORG quite the game.

Embrace the machine

Visually, the game is reminiscent of Redeemer with everything having a sense of weight and depth. Like Redeemed, there is an immense amount of power for players to exercise in KIBORG and the various combos are satisfying to experiment with.  

If there's any drawback, things can get repetitive. Like every rogue-like, each death leads to permanent upgrades that are bought using data tapes. The upgrades do help but this means you'll be seeing the same enemies and floors over and over again. The different cybernetic augments does keep things different.   

Become the KIBORG

KIBORG is certainly one of the better action roguelike out there. It's focus on cybernetic  customization keeps things fresh. The action works and the gameplay loop, while repetitive, is very satisfying. Choose your parts, embrace the machine and fight your way to freedom. 

KIBORG IS RECOMMENDED

A review was provided thanks to Stride PR