Unlike the original, where it’s about busting these arachnoids in an urban home setting, and causing as much collateral damage as possible indoors and outdoors. My review of the VR version can be read here, and what’s been expanded upon is an epic cosmic battle with this critter! Although I rarely thought of spiders as truly alien, this game has changed my mind. They exist throughout the galaxy in one strange form or another, including mechanoids. As a result, I’m wondering if there’s a hybrid human and spider creature (known as the Drow in Dungeons and Dragons) lurking around? Maybe they exist, and only time will tell if it’s in the game or will be part of an expansion.
What players can play now is the demo version. And there are enough levels designed to keep most players exploring until the product’s full release. Here, players not only have to clear their home again (it’s the tutorial), but also explore an alien spaceship! And after agreeing to the computer’s offer of a job to exterminate all the spiders across the multiverse, that’s when the fun really begins!
In this expanded world, players get to explore strange new worlds in the style of Stargate Universe. What’s funny is that the machine spiders are replicators, so I suspect the homage is intentional. Other genres are represented, as the next scenario includes clearing out these buggers in another home! Because of all the visual tropes used to design this level, I suspect it’s more than haunted!
I wouldn’t be surprised if the larger narrative involves searching for these creatures’ homeworld. And what we learn in this update (there’s audio logs you have to listen to) is that they’ve been spreading their reach throughout since the dawn of time!
In terms of mechanics, I still find the handling of objects janky. It’s tough to pick something up and put it back as I found it, without falling. Throwing objects around is just as hard. A VR port will no doubt be coming, and I’d play it again–where holding objects should feel more intuitive. One tip I’ve discovered in continued gameplay is to not do too much in a single sitting. I noticed ammo refreshes after closing and reopening the game, and I love my makeshift flamethrower!
In terms of what’s new are tougher puzzles, co-op and PvP modes. The latter is far more fun than playing the Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed mostly because there’s fewer mechanics to worry about when it comes to the healing and eradication process! As more players get hung up in this delightful web of a game, I’ll be looking for teams. And I’m sure more players will jump in once the full release comes available. After all, the queen lays thousands of eggs, and it’s best to work as a large group to find these sacs before they all hatch!
In what I’ve played so far breathes new life into a product that I’ve set aside since first hearing about it. Finishing the game once is enough, and I’m glad there’s a sequel. Without it, I doubt I’d be playing this game again.
4 Stars out of 5
Kill it With Fire 2 Trailer
Pros
- New level designs perhaps inspired by many popular movies that feature bugs as an enemy.
- Improved graphics (varies based on platform)
- New weapons
Cons
- Needs a better method to examine picked up items.
- The “intro” can’t be skipped.