KIBORG
" Relentless rogue-lite beat'em up with deep cybernetic upgrades but frequent bugs disrupt gameplay "
KIBORG Review
KIBORG is a beat'em up roguelite that blends fast-paced, Arkham-inspired melee combat with a robust upgrade system featuring implants, augmentations, and mutations. Players ascend a tower, facing evolving enemies and bosses, unlocking new gear and story snippets with each difficulty level. The gameplay loop is addictive, with a variety of weapons and build options encouraging experimentation and replayability over 15-20+ hours. The graphics and cybernetic aesthetics are praised, though voice acting and story presentation receive mixed feedback.
However, the game struggles with technical issues such as bugs, glitches, and performance drops, especially with particle-heavy effects causing frame rate stutters. Some players report game-breaking bugs and a lack of polish, while others find the combat satisfying despite occasional jankiness. The upgrade tree and meta progression add depth, but the limited enemy variety and repetitive arenas slightly diminish long-term engagement. Overall, KIBORG offers a solid foundation for fans of melee roguelites, best enjoyed on sale while awaiting further polish and content expansions.
Highlights
Players highly praise KIBORG's crunchy, fluid combat mechanics reminiscent of Batman Arkham games, combined with a rich upgrade tree that allows diverse build customization. The game's graphics and cybernetic aesthetics are considered visually appealing and fitting the brutal, violent theme. The addictive gameplay loop and variety of weapons and implants keep players engaged, with the announcer's voice acting adding a unique charm. Unlocking new gear and progressing through difficulties adds satisfying depth and replayability.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include performance issues such as frame rate drops and stuttering during intense combat moments. Players report bugs and glitches that can disrupt runs or cause game-breaking scenarios. The story is minimalistic and lacks depth, presented mostly through brief slides. Some find the voice acting, especially the warden's, annoying. The arena and level variety is limited, leading to repetition at higher difficulties. Additionally, the inability to rebind keys and clunky UI elements detract from the experience.
Pros
- • Engaging melee combat inspired by Batman Arkham series feels satisfying and fluid.
- • Deep upgrade tree with implants, mutations, and augmentations allows diverse builds.
- • Visually appealing cybernetic graphics and brutal gore enhance the game's atmosphere.
- • Addictive gameplay loop encourages repeated runs and experimentation with builds.
- • Variety of weapons including melee, pistols, and heavy guns adds combat depth.
- • Meta progression unlocks new gear, cosmetics, and difficulty levels for replayability.
- • Unique announcer voice acting adds humor and character to the experience.
Cons
- • Frequent bugs and glitches disrupt gameplay and sometimes cause run-ending issues.
- • Performance problems such as frame rate drops and stuttering during effects.
- • Limited story content mostly delivered through brief slides with minimal depth.
- • Repetitive arena designs and enemy types reduce long-term engagement.
- • Annoying voice acting for some characters detracts from immersion.
- • Lack of key rebinding options limits control customization for players.
- • Some combat mechanics like combined block/parry feel clunky and imprecise.
Rating Criteria
KIBORG is a relentless rogue-lite beat’em up where you enhance your body with new cybernetic implants each run. You’ve been sent to the worst prison in the galaxy for crimes you didn’t commit. Death won’t provide an escape, but a violent reality show may offer a way out.