Boomerang X

When it comes to first-person shooters, we’ve come to expect a certain degree of sameness among the many titles in the genre. Boomerang X, however, is a wholly original experience that aims to match the fluid combat of an FPS with all the flair and style of a character action game.

Developed by DANG! And published by Devolver Digital, Boomerang X has all the markings of a successful indie game. Its non-stop action and stylish visuals, coupled with some solid physics-based gameplay, promise to be some of the most intense we’ve seen in a game like this in a while.

Always on the Move

Movement and momentum are the keys to Boomerang X’s gameplay. Players control a warrior traveling through the ruins of an ancient civilization that has fallen victim to a horde of nightmares. These gooey creatures corrode everything on their path, including you, so keeping on the move becomes second nature if you want to stay alive.

To help you move through this ravaged land is your amazingly versatile magic boomerang. This edged tool will let players jump, dash, and whatever they can think of stylishly. Once you throw your boomerang, you’ll then be able to slingshot directly to it, propelling yourself with dashing speeds.

The sense of momentum and fluidity on display here is amazing. Experimenting with the game’s mechanics is highly encouraged, with the movement and the overall action being heavily reminiscent of games like Ghostrunner.

However, there’s an area where Boomerang X excels and becomes a truly unique gaming experience, and that is its gorgeous art style.

Art in Motion

The combination of simple textures and solid cel shaded environments work together to provide Boomerang X with a unique and gorgeous look. The way how colors contrast with one another works flawlessly and considering that the enemies are usually black blobs, the colors actually help players locating enemies quickly as they keep moving.

Locations are varied and demand the player’s attention; ironic, considering that, most of the time, players will be moving too fast to notice anything about their surroundings. That said, the developers still took their time to provide Boomerang X with a rich mythology and visually impressive characters – and that’s an absolutely commendable effort.

We also have to mention how amazing the enemy designs are. Not only do the bad guys contrast perfectly with the game’s environments: each enemy comes with their own quirks and abilities that the player must learn to properly deal with them.

Considering Boomerang X’s emphasis on fast-paced action and constant enemy encounters, it’s impressive how accessible the game actually is. DANG! Seems decided to make their game playable by as many gamers as possible, with a plethora of difficulty options accessible from the get-go.

Things like gravity tuning, enemy damage output, and downright god mode are available for casual players. These options also give Boomerang X an extra amount of replayability; considering the game’s short length, this might be a deciding factor for players still on the fence about getting this game or not.

Pros:

• Incredibly fluid gameplay
• Rich backstory
• Gorgeous visuals
• Solid controls
• Multiple accessibility options

Cons:

• Short campaign
• Some odd textures here and there