Bringing back a movement style that could be considered outdated in the video game industry and putting a modernized touch into the gameplay is something that is both bold and risky. Even so, Fatbot Games definitely seem to know how to keep a game entertaining with a grid-based play style. Launching the second title of their series, Vaporum: Lockdown puts players in a challenging yet entertaining world of steampunk, science-fiction. Add in the RPG elements, various enemy types, and tons of lore bits, and they have created something worth the time to playthrough.

Story

As one of the scientists working within Arx Vaporum, Ellie Teller finds herself trying to survive the disastrous events within the tower. Practically stranded and trapped within this building located in the middle of the ocean, due to the mysterious research behind their latest projects, she must find a way to escape.

Gameplay

Since the entire game is grid-based, you will find yourself facing plenty of puzzles and learning tricks to help you fight the various enemies that you will encounter. I did find it easy for me to fall into holes on the map, but that is due to my naivety to the limitations this movement style brings. Just know that if you see a hole in front of you, chances are one movement is all it takes to fall in and there is no stopping yourself before you finish moving forward.

This grid-based movement does have its benefits though. The puzzles throughout the game get gradually more difficult and more complex. They do end up throwing in science-fiction style pieces into puzzle rooms that you have to figure out yourself, as they aren’t explained, but it’s all part of the puzzle-solving process for this game. By this, I mean that they will include teleporters, pressure plates, energy balls that trigger buttons, opening and closing doors or hatches, and will even go as far as to test your speed and ability to think outside the box.

When it comes to combat, it differs a bit on how you set up your character. While there are two-handed melee and ranged weapons or one-handed weapons and shields to use, I found myself preferring the dual-wielding option despite the fact that they implement a punishment of lowering a percent of damage each weapon can deal. I am a straight-forward player that often doesn’t block but would rather focus on timed attacks and evading. Thanks to the grid-based movement, you can pull off some tricks to get the upper hand on most enemies and make it to where they can’t touch you with well-timed evade tactics. However, there are options for blocking attacks, using secondary attacks, and more, again all depending on the player’s playstyle.

Secondary attacks are the only thing that differs from the rest of the combat options because these are available to all fighting styles. As you proceed through the game, you will find items that look like nodes and all do different attack types, such as electricity, fire, poison, or simply increase your personal attack speeds. If you choose to do one of the element-based attacks, you would equip the proper node and then use the trigger buttons to release the attack. This will put the attack on the ground, damaging any enemies within that small vicinity. I found this attack most helpful when I would end up with more than one enemy attacking me and my evade options were limited, if not nonexistent.

As you defeat enemies, you will slow level up as well. When you level up, you will be given full health, or “integrity” as it is called in the game, and one circuit point to use. These circuit points can be used on a large variety of upgrades for your character, but I ended up using them mostly to increase my attack strength and lower the punishment that comes with dual-wielding. You can also put it on aspects such as toughness, blocking, and a large variety of options.

Searching through every locker and box will end up filling your inventory though and there is no merchant in the game. What I would end up doing is grabbing everything until I only have a few slots left in my inventory and then just filling the next locker I come across with all the weapons I don’t plan to use. I kept all the different armor types, in case I ever want to swap them out since they give different bonuses, but everything else got cleared out. The only items you need are the secondary attack nodes, repair kits for healing, ammo for your guns, and key items.

Visuals

When it comes to games like these, you almost expect the visuals to be limited to only what is in front of you and visible at eye-level. They included an option to look around in this game and when you do the world around you is completely filled out and even animated in various locations. This level of detail was unexpected and appreciated, especially since the graphic level of the game was overall aesthetically pleasing.

Sounds

The various sound effects to represent the many weapons and enemies was a nice touch to the game as it made each one feel unique by more than just the way it looks. Plus, the world had plenty of little sounds that made really seem like I was in a facility that is functioning and active. Not to mention the voice acting throughout the game was all well-done.

Replayability

While the game is actually a bit lengthy on the first run-through, you could go back through this game if you wish to try and find all the collectibles and notes. Other than that, or challenging yourself by beating it on a harder difficulty, there isn’t much reason to playthrough the game after completion.

What Could Be Better

If it is a grid-based game and the d-pad words for the inventory system, I don’t understand why they wouldn’t let me use the d-pad for my general movement. Being stuck using the analog stick just didn’t feel natural and took a bit of getting used to before it became comfortable, but the curious wonder of why they wouldn’t just let me use the d-pad for movement stuck with me throughout my whole playthrough.

Conclusion

Vaporum: Lockdown is a challenging and entertaining title for puzzle and action fans alike! I would recommend this game to anybody looking for a solid single-player game with plenty of lore, good atmosphere, and solid gameplay. I was a bit skeptical about the grid-based movement at first, but these developers definitely know how to make it a fun aspect of their game.