Hard Reset

For the computing process, see Hardware reset.
Hard Reset

Developer(s) Flying Wild Hog
Publisher(s) Flying Wild Hog
Kalypso Media
Distributor(s) Valve Corporation (online)
Director(s) Michal Szustak
Designer(s) Michal Szustak
Klaudiusz Zych
Artist(s) Pawel Libiszewski
Zbigniew Siatecki
Lukasz Zdunowski
Composer(s) Wojciech Blazejczyk
Engine RoadHog Engine
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
Release date(s) September 13, 2011
Genre(s) First-person shooter
Mode(s) Single-player
Distribution Download, DVD

Hard Reset is a first-person shooter for Microsoft Windows, developed by Flying Wild Hog.[1] The game features a cyberpunk plot. It draws inspiration from the works of William Gibson, Neal Stephenson, and Philip K. Dick (especially Blade Runner). The game received an expanded re-release, called Hard Reset: Extended Edition.

Story

Major Fletcher of the CLN protects the futuristic city of Bezoar against attacks from the Barrens, territory conquered by machines.

Gameplay

Hard Reset is modeled on "old school" video games such as Quake and Unreal, which results in more straightforward gameplay than most modern first-person shooters. The various stages have secret areas with hidden pick ups such as health and ammunition. The environments are designed similarly, as there are explosive barrels and various vending machines outfitted with electro-shock anti-vandalism defenses, that can trigger splash damage by being shot at, scattered throughout the levels, which the player can use by luring enemies near them. The game lacks a multiplayer mode, which was a chief criticism.[1]

Unlike most old school first-person shooters, which feature a liberal variety of guns and throwable weapons that can be stored in a magic satchel-like inventory, Hard Reset features only two weapons, the CLN Modular Assault Rifle, and the EEF-21 Plasma Rifle. Both weapons have unlockable firing modes, the Modular Assault Rifle including the option to strap add-ons such as grenade and rocket launchers, and the plasma rifle allowing railguns and stasis modules.[2]

Exile and Extended Edition

Hard Reset: Exile is a free expansion for Hard Reset. It was first released in April 2012 as a part of boxed Hard Reset re-release called Hard Reset: Extended Edition. The expansion is available for all Steam owners of Hard Reset for free since May 2012. Hard Reset: Exile features a few new weapons, levels, enemy types, and a boss. It further continues the story of James Fletcher, as he journeys into robot controlled territory.


Reception

Hard Reset was released on Steam on September 13, 2011[7] and received slightly mixed, although mostly positive, reviews.[3] Reviewers cited the visual quality and the intensity of the gameplay as strong points, evoking comparisons to other "old school" shooters as Serious Sam or Painkiller. Common points of contention were the game's relatively short length, and the perceived difficulty.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/hard-reset/news/6326099/hard-reset-qanda-whats-old-is-new-again?mode=previews&page=1
  2. "Hard Reset Weapons Trailer". Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Hard Reset Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2011-10-05.
  4. Biessener, Adam (2011-11-09). "Hard Reset". GI. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
  5. Onyett, Charles (2011-09-13). "Hard Reset Review". IGN. Retrieved 2011-10-05.
  6. Cobbett, Richard (2011-11-13). "Hard Reset Review". PCGUS. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
  7. Fahey, Mike (2011-08-29). "Hard Reset Gets a Firm Release Date, Solid System Reqs, and Sharp New Screens". Kotaku. Retrieved 2011-10-05.

External links