Footgun: Underground [Review]
Footgun: Underground is a soccer action roguelike with wonky controls.
Credit: Turtle Knight Games / Cobratekku Games
Turtle Knight Games’ and Cobratekku Games’ Footgun: Underground is a small but very different roguelike with a unique combat mechanic. Though the gameplay is innovative, the game is a bit one-note despite the large variety of unlockable characters and balls, and I felt frustrated by its controls.
In the game, you’ll ride subway network to different stations in five biomes, where you must kill all the enemies an ultimately a boss to progress. The spin here is that to do that, you’ve got to masterfully kick a high-tech soccer ball. Aiming becomes like a game of pool, where you’ve got to calculate how the ball will bounce off the walls to hit your targets. Die, and you’re sent back to the beginning, as you’d expect from a roguelike. Over the course of the game, you’ll unlock new characters, balls, and equipment that will let you update your build and vary your playstyle to improve your chances of survival.
Credit: Turtle Knight Games / Cobratekku Games
You can run, double jump, and juggle or kick the ball. Aiming is done by juggling, which to me was frustrating. You’ve got to modulate the speed of your movement and juggle control of the ball to aim your kick. Players should be able to use the right stick to aim. This is a case where the game’s controls are a barrier to playing because of the unnecessary difficulty and imprecision of the controls scheme. Some might accuse me of having a skill issue here, but really there’s no good reason to exclude the broadly accepted use of the right stick.
Credit: Turtle Knight Games / Cobratekku Games
The game’s graphics are serviceable pixel art, with especially good work done with the bosses. I didn’t find the music or sound design notable. Story isn’t a factor in this game, but it’s frankly not necessary. The game performs flawlessly on Steam Deck.
I know I would have enjoyed Footgun: Underground far more if it had a different control scheme. As it stands, I didn’t have a very good time, but I’d love to revisit the game if the control options are updated.
Footgun: Undeground will be available for PC on Steam on April 30, 2024.
Overall Score: 4/10
Played on: Steam Deck
