Esse Proxy

If you are a fan of cyberpunk-themed games, then you might want to take a closer look at hidden gem Esse Proxy. Released in 2022 by FromSouthGames, Esse Proxy has gained a bit of a reputation as a hidden classic of the cyberpunk genre. Thanks to a certain major cyberpunk release at the time, many other games in this theme were lost to the wind. Esse Proxy definitely suffered from that issue.

What you do get if you give this game the time, though, is a highly satisfying experience. Three different characters take part in a confusing and intertwined story, with each of the characters providing their own skills and abilities to keep a playthrough as each fresh. Like many games that Esse Proxy is based on, you spend a lot of time learning, dying, repeating, and improving until you can complete its engaging story.

A challenge that is worth the effort

Immediately, Esse Proxy might remind you of something like Hotline Miami or even something like Enter the Gungeon. The top-down nature ensures that each moment of gameplay is fun and engaging, and you are always able to see a lot of what is around you and what is coming around the corner. That is fun and can ensure that you spend plenty of time getting used to an engaging combat system that asks a lot of you.

One thing to note about Esse Proxy is that it definitely can fall under the ‘bullet hell’ category as most of the time the screen is just a litany of bullets of a hailstorm of gun fire. The story and world moves at a fast enough pace, though, that you can find yourself going from clearing out bustline city blocks to riding a bike and facing off against foes at breakneck speed.

This is both a blessing and a curse. This game is very intriguing, albeit not without having enough confusing challenges to keep you on your toes. There is something really enjoyable about Esse Proxy, though, giving you something like a happy blend between Hotline Miami and Alien Breed. The results are impressive.

Engaging combat let down by a generic story (7.5/10)

There is much to love about Esse Proxy – sadly, few of that revolves around its storyline. There are limits to what kind of story can be told in such a world, but the story to Esse Proxy can feel generic and obvious throughout. Yes, there are many positives to this game, but it does lack a certain freshness in the storyline. That can make it somewhat dour and dull to play through the story as the parts of the game where you are not simply blowing everyone away are definitely among its weakest moments.

Pros

• Fun and addictive gameplay that keeps you coming back for more throughout its levels
• Characters are unique enough that they do not feel like retreads of one another
• Monet to moment combat is excellent, with very smooth gunplay and chaotic fun

Cons

• Story is not the worst, but definitely among the weaker elements of Esse Proxy
• World is impressive but can be hard to navigate, making it too easy to get lost

Violent games are all over the place, but something pretty important is to actually make them pleasing, and this means that the game usually has to go through heavy stylization. Top POV games have been certainly good at delivering this type of game for a long time now, and Esse Proxy could be the next hit game in this style. This violent, top-view game brings action, violence, and style, to a new level. Developed by FromSouthGames takes us once again on a cyberpunk adventure, but let's see what's game is all about!

About the game

A dystopian future, gangs, weapons, and several characters are all that Esse Proxy needs to present its credentials. The title, developed alone by a "one-man team" that answers to the name FromSouthGames have perfectly defined its aesthetic and mechanical references, picking up elements from here and there. And it's not just the setting: the characters are inspired by movies like Blade Runner or Sin City, while the whole visual aspect is based on an exaggerated art style with neon lights and black backgrounds.

The first thing that stands out about Esse Proxy is that he knows where he is coming from. His references are clear, but he also knows the disciples of the original. In times when the pure and hard arcade is dying, it is always a joy to find proposals that try to revitalize it from a more contemporary perspective.

Violently similar

As soon as we start playing Esse Proxy we notice the immediate similarities it bears with Hotline Miami. and it's obviously inspired by this amazing title, which is near to becoming a classic now that it's 10 years old.

The shadow of Hotline Miami is tremendously long, although I'm not sure if it's for the right reasons. Dennaton Games' classic has left a long trail of imitators, most of which chose to focus on picking up mechanics without stopping to think about the purpose of those mechanics. Dennis Wedin and Jonatan Soderstrom's title was a masterclass in which to take the player's mood, which is essential for the rest of the game to work.

Of course, the visual style reminds us of indie games like Akande, which follow some similar lines but also include the cyberpunk art style. even though Akane is a much simpler version of this game, made to pass some time mostly.

Pros:

• Good graphics
• Fast-paced gameplay
• Excellent music
• Nice designs

Cons:

• Can get to be a bit frustrating
• A bit short