Developer: Flaming Flamingo
Publisher: Artifex Mundi
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch
Tested on: PC
Hot Shot Burn – Review
Yes, it’s time. Time to invite your friends and time to make your little brother cry. Time to add another game to your party game list, because Hot Shot Burn is here and it tempts you to play it with your friends like Medusa would tempt you to look into her eyes. Flashy visuals, check. A commentary that’s supposed to draw you in, check. Get ready to rumble and run to be the last man standing and claim victory!
Story
There’s… no story in Hot Shot Burn! Which actually is quite a shame. Because of the premise that’s all about some intergalactic entertainment show where creatures fight each other and the multiple unique characters in Hot Shot Burn, the game actually could do with some story. With some better A.I. differences, there could be a campaign or something which would greatly benefit the game as a whole. Instead, all the focus is put on it being a party game. This is fine, in a way but perhaps it’s still possible to add something in the future?
Graphics
Graphically, Hot Shot Burn has a lot to tell by keeping it simple. The level design is about as easy as a dumbed-down version of Bomberman, but you can move in all directions and sometimes there are teleporters and/or boobytraps. Yet, because of the fast characteristics the game holds, this simplicity is actually a very good thing. Whatever deserves attention visually, gets this attention. Stuff such as the characters which each are one-of-a-kind with a lot of personality in their pictures and weapons really pop out as an example.
By keeping it plain and simple, there’s also some room for playful extras such as special levels underwater or in the grass where you can the bush for your advantage. There are some small mishaps graphically that are noticeable when i.e. a transition to such foliage isn’t flawless, but those are very minor details that do not ruin the gameplay. So overall the graphics are communicative and clear, which is exactly what a game like this needs.
Sound
The sound design is also toned down to about a single soundtrack that nicely goes from full-on blasting your ears off while in-game, to ”located in a basement” muffled sound while in the after-battle menu. On top of that, there are small sounds that enforce the battlefield, as well as a commentator that will say something funny or actual about what’s happening on the screen. The only remark here is that the commentary is actually very limited, and quickly goes to repeat itself. By doing so, it occasionally feels more lazy than intentionally designed simple.
Gameplay
The gameplay is very solid for what it is. It’s a lot like other arcade shooter/brawlers but the unique component that makes Hot Shot Burn its own type of arcade shooter party game is a controller addition. Best played with a controller with analog sticks, the game doesn’t allow you to walk around with one stick and use the camera with another. Instead, it binds these two functions together in a single analog stick, forcing you to think before you walk or shoot, and testing your reactions in battle when facing an opponent.
Hot Shot Burn has multiple characters that you can choose from. Each character has one unique skill such as rushing towards a specific point or blasting defensive needles outwards of yourself to block bullets or hurt enemies. This gives each player a unique strategy as well, where you might have a shotgun-type of character who needs to get closer or a sniper with limited bullets. Once you are out of bullets, you will have to reload and during this time you are vulnerable. These gameplay aspects can be enhanced by elements on the map or power pick-ups, but most rounds won’t last long enough to think a lot about such strategies.
You all get points depending on what you did during each round. Did you pick up a nacho laying there on the floor, (ew, you filth) you will get one point for each of those. Did you kill somebody? Three points. Survived? Five points. Once you get to fifty you have to be the last man standing to win the game, giving other players a chance to gank up on you and reach fifty points as well. This is a very solid concept, and you can also rather quickly unlock stuff such as new playable characters, levels, and outfits, thus making the game more (re)playable.
The biggest point of criticism for the entire game of Hot Shot Burn is that the A.I. is pretty rusty and sometimes even buggy, which makes it an especially fun game when you play it with (only) friends. If you don’t have those, the game quickly takes away a lot of your fun, even if you play online. That, and the content that’s being unlocked just doesn’t make up for longer sessions to be fun enough to stick around. Hot Shot Burn really could use some guided type of progress, such as solo/co-op campaigns.
Conclusion
Hot Shot Burn is a solid party game. We’re emphasizing party, because the A.I. isn’t that much fun. What it does good is creating a simple game that’s easy to understand and fun for everybody to join in. What it lacks is some type of progress/campaign that’s more than just unlocking content by playing. Yet overall, it’s good for a fun night.
Hot Shot Burn - Review,
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