Software:HyperParasite

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Short description: 2019 video game
HyperParasite
Developer(s)Troglobytes Games
Publisher(s)Troglobytes Games
Hound Picked Games
Programmer(s)
  • Matteo Alessandrini
  • Nicola Loglisci
  • Luciano Iurino
Composer(s)
  • Joe Kataldo
  • Van Reeves
Platform(s)
Release3 April 2020
Genre(s)Multidirectional shooter, bullet hell
Mode(s)Single-player, co-op

HyperParasite is a roguelike shooter video game developed and published by Troglobytes Games. Early prototypes of the game were distributed through Steam's early access program in 2019. The game was released on 3 April 2020 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, which was followed by a physical release for the Switch on 19 February 2021.[1][2] The game received generally positive reviews, earning praise for its uniqueness and design and criticism for its difficulty.

Gameplay

HyperParasite is a top down roguelike twin-stick shooter with perma-death mechanics. The game can be played in single player or in local co-op. Players play as an alien parasite who needs to possess humans to survive. Without a human host the alien parasite is weak and easily defeated. The game has over 60 different humans to possess and collect. All of them have unique attacks and traits that help the player. The unlocked characters are kept even after death. Furthermore, levels are procedurally generated making the objectives and the amount of enemies, upgrades and items different every run. Creating near limitless replayability.

Plot

After World War III the earth is threatened by a parasitic alien organism capable of controlling humans as living hosts and using them to destroy earth. To combat the alien parasite martial law is declared starting a global hunt to destroy the parasite.

Development

HyperParasite is developed by Troglobytes and co-published by Hound Picked Games. The game was first released on the steam platform as an early access game in 2019.[3] After a successful early access launch it was announced[4] that the following year the game was to be released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on 3 April 2020.[5][6][7]

Voice actors

Most voice acting was done by actors Vincent van Ommen and Joey Sourlis. With Van Ommen voicing the title of the game, the stage names and various characters.[8][9] And Joey Sourlis voicing President Ray Gunn.[10]

Soundtrack

The original soundtrack for HyperParasite was created by Van Reeves and Joe Kataldo. The synthwave music was made to fit the 1980s look and feel of the game. On 3 April 2020 the soundtrack was released on Valve's digital distribution platform, Steam, as additional downloadable content for the main game. The soundtrack contains 13 tracks, available in MP3 320 kbit/s format.[11]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
MetacriticNS: 71/100[12]
PS4: 79/100[13]
XONE: 74/100[14]
PC: 74/100[15]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Famitsu30/40[16][17]
NintendoLife7.0/10[18]
SwitchPlayerStarStarStarStarStar[19]
Screen RantStarStarStar[20]
PSXExtreme7.8/10[21]

HyperParasite has received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Critics praised the gameplay, uniqueness and presentation, but criticized the steep difficulty level for casual gamers. Many critics praised the game for its addictive gameplay.[22]

Lorenzo Lombardi of PSX Extreme rated HyperParasite a 7.8/10, concluding: "HyperParasite is a frenetic, fast-paced roguelike that is not for the faint of a casual's heart. Its uncompromising action keeps you on a razor's edge, and the sixty characters ensure every playthrough is not the same. But most importantly, it is a pitch-perfect love letter to the 1980s."[23]

Screen Rant gave HyperParasite 3 out of 5 stars writing "Everything about HyperParasite feels fresh and vibrant." and that the game "sports an incredible soundtrack and retro graphics that remain upbeat and energetic throughout each of the game's levels." Noting that the difficulty level and perma-death mechanics could be too harsh for casual gamers.[20]

Dominic Tarason of Rock Paper Shotgun gave an overall positive review. However, he refrained from giving an actual score based on the game's early access status at the time.[24]

Matt Gardner of Forbes named HyperParasite his indie game of the year for 2020, adding "I'd go so far as to name it my favorite game of the year outright."[25]

In the May 2020 edition of PlayStation Official Magazine UK Aaron Potter concluded: "Body-swapping for new powers never gets dull. HyperParasite is creative roguelike with major progression issues, but heaps of derisive charm and tight twin-stick shooting".[26]

References

  1. ↑ "HyperParasite Releases April 3 For Windows PC, Consoles" (in en-US). Niche Gamer. 2020-03-04. https://nichegamer.com/hyperparasite-releases-april-3-for-windows-pc-consoles/. 
  2. ↑ GALA-MOS (2020-12-08). "HyperParasite Physical Edition Launches 19 February 2021, Pre-Orders Now Open Via Nicalis" (in en-US). https://nintendosoup.com/hyperparasite-physical-edition-launches-19-february-2021-pre-orders-now-open-via-nicalis/. 
  3. ↑ "'HyperParasite' Available On Steam Early Access". www.worthplaying.com. 3 April 2019. https://worthplaying.com/article/2019/4/3/news/113662/. 
  4. ↑ "HyperParasite release dates". www.gametyrant.com. 3 April 2020. http://gametyrant.com/news/hyperparasite-leaves-early-access-with-full-launch-on-pc-and-consoles. 
  5. ↑ "HyperParasite released on Nintendo Switch". https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/hyperparasite-switch/. 
  6. ↑ "HyperParasite released on PS4". https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP1951-CUSA19108_00-HYPERPARASITEANA. 
  7. ↑ "HyperParasite release dates". https://www.gameinformer.com/product/hyperparasite. 
  8. ↑ "Vincent van Ommen voices HyperParasite title". 13 June 2019. https://twitter.com/_Troglobytes_/status/1139216905913491461. 
  9. ↑ "Nederlandse acteur spreekt in voor nieuwe Nintendo Switch game" (in nl). thatsgaming.nl. 14 June 2019. https://thatsgaming.nl/nederlandse-acteur-spreekt-in-voor-nieuwe-nintendo-switch-game/. 
  10. ↑ "HyperParasite – Voice Cast". Mobygames. https://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/hyperparasite/credits. 
  11. ↑ "HyperParasite Soundtrack". www.steampowered.com. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1243190/HyperParasite_Soundtrack/. 
  12. ↑ "HyperParasite for Nintendo Switch Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/hyperparasite/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch. 
  13. ↑ "HyperParasite for PlayStation 4 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/hyperparasite/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4. 
  14. ↑ "HyperParasite for Xbox One Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/hyperparasite/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one. 
  15. ↑ "HyperParasite for PC Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/hyperparasite/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  16. ↑ "HyperParasite Reviews". Famitsu. 31 March 2020. https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/40081/reviews/. Retrieved 28 April 2020. 
  17. ↑ "Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1635". Famitsu. 31 March 2020. https://www.gematsu.com/2020/03/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1635. 
  18. ↑ "HyperParasite – Proof That It's Fun To Be Bad". Nintendolife.com. 8 April 2020. https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/hyperparasite/. 
  19. ↑ "HyperParasite Review". SwitchPlayer. 5 May 2020. https://switchplayer.net/2020/05/05/hyperparasite-review/. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "HyperParasite Review". 14 April 2020. https://screenrant.com/hyperparasite-review/. 
  21. ↑ "HYPERPARASITE REVIEW". psxextreme.com. 2 April 2020. https://psxextreme.com/reviews/hyperparasite-review/. 
  22. ↑ "Review: HyperParasite". Forbes.com. 12 April 2020. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattgardner1/2020/04/12/review-hyperparasite-is-the-best-indie-game-youve-probably-never-heard-of. 
  23. ↑ "HyperParasite PlayStation 4 Review". psxextreme.com. 2 April 2020. https://psxextreme.com/reviews/hyperparasite-review/. 
  24. ↑ Tarason, Dominic (3 April 2019). "HyperParasite infests early access today" (in en-US). https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/body-snatching-shooter-hyperparasite-enters-early-access. 
  25. ↑ Gardner, Matt (19 December 2020). "The Top 10 Indie Games Of 2020 On Consoles And PC, Ranked" (in en-US). Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattgardner1/2020/12/19/the-top-10-indie-games-of-2020-ranked/. 
  26. ↑ Potter, Aaron (5 May 2020). "HyperParasite" (in en-US). PlayStation Official Magazine UK. https://www.yumpu.com/news/en/issue/25379-official-playstation-magazine-2020-05-05. 

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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