Hypercharge: Unboxed | Xbox Review

Being an Elder Millennial on the cusp of his 40s, and with the world becoming more complicated and uncertain by the day, there’s something undeniably soothing about taking refuge in the simple joys of our youth. Hypercharge: Unboxed, a unique blend of first-person shooting and tower defense, taps into that sentiment. Developed and published by British studio Digital Cybercherries, players take on the role of tiny action figures defending their bases against waves of enemies in everyday environments that become gigantic battlegrounds.

Your Favorite Characters Come to Life!

The narrative of Hypercharge: Unboxed is steeped in the essence of childhood memories, building on the premise that our toys come to life. On one Christmas morning, two brothers receive action figures from the same toy line: Max Ammo and Max Damage. While the younger brother eagerly opens his Max Ammo figure, building years of imaginative adventures, the older brother preserves his Max Damage in its pristine packaging, which happens to be a limited edition collectible. 

Over time, Max Damage’s resentment grows as he feels trapped in packaging, fostering bitterness towards childhood innocence and fun. His envy drives him to break out of his packaging and target the hypercores, the vital energy source that fuels children’s imaginations. Recruited by Max Ammo, players embark on a heroic quest to defend the hypercores and thwart Max Damage’s destructive ambitions, engaging in thrilling battles against his corrupted minions to preserve the innocence and wonder of childhood. 

Though the story of Hypercharge: Unboxed has an imaginative and clever premise, it isn’t the central focus. Instead it simply and effectively ties the stages together. The story of Max Ammo and Max Damage adds a nostalgic and charming backdrop, enriching the gameplay experience without getting in the way of the action, and provides just enough context to make the battles feel meaningful and connected.

Includes Secret Surprise Accessories!

Hypercharge: Unboxed combines first and third-person shooter mechanics with tower defense strategy, creating a unique and engaging gameplay experience. Players must protect hypercores scattered across various parts of each level, by placing and upgrading defenses to fend off waves of enemies. Set in ordinary environments that feel enormous from the perspective of pint-sized toys, the game encourages exploration and strategic planning. Coins scattered around the map can be collected and used to buy and build defenses and traps. Players are given roughly 3-4 minutes between waves to reinforce any damaged defenses and prepare for the next assault. 

Weapon upgrades and attachments are also scattered around the maps or can be purchased from your packaging, which acts as a storefront. Though you only have one weapon, you can add different attachments to it, allowing you to switch between configurations such as an assault rifle or a shotgun, adding a layer of tactical versatility to the gameplay. The game’s fully customizable character creator allows for a wide range of personalization, drawing inspiration from different toy lines such as Army Rangers, Ninja Warriors, Medieval Knights, or fantasy characters akin to the likes of He-Man or ThunderCats. You can also choose a name for your character from a list of prefixes, adjectives, nouns, and suffixes, resulting in hilariously awesome combinations like my chosen moniker, Sgt. Human Rage.

Batteries Not Included

Hypercharge: Unboxed shares similarities with another toy-themed game I reviewed, Stuffed, but features a completely different vibe and atmosphere. Unlike that game which focused more on direct combat, Hypercharge emphasizes building defenses and laying traps, adding tactical aspects to the gameplay. Just as the game’s setting pays homage to the bygone eras of the 1980s and 1990s, so too does the gameplay itself. With its arena-style levels inspired by classic shooters like Quake III Arena, combined with the frenetic action of Unreal Tournament, the game captures the spirit of those iconic titles. I truly enjoy Hypercharge: Unboxed for its addictive gameplay, making it a standout title that keeps me coming back for more.

Despite the gameplay being extremely addictive and fun, it’s not entirely perfect. I personally found navigating in Hypercharge: Unboxed to be a bit challenging due to its floaty and awkward jumping mechanics, particularly when attempting precise jumps onto tight platforms or narrow areas. Additionally, the game’s button layout presents another hurdle, with sprint mapped to the Left Bumper and jump to the Right Bumper, which initially feels unconventional compared to similar games. While these aspects aren’t gamebreakers and become more manageable with practice, they can be somewhat jarring for newcomers.

Now We Know…

It’s immediately apparent that the style and atmosphere of Hypercharge: Unboxed are heavily inspired by the likes of G.I. Joe, perfectly capturing that sense of retro appeal with its characters and story. The game’s locations, particularly those set inside a toy store cleverly named “We R Toys” as a nod to Toys R Us, are meticulously designed to evoke childhood memories. Speaking of, I spotted numerous winks and nods to various products with humorous and legally distinct sound-alike names, such as “Legs and Elbow” for Head & Shoulders shampoo, “Nahbro” for Hasbro, and “Buildo” for Lego. This attention to detail adds humor while enhancing the immersion of this world.

The graphics are bright and colorful, but don’t aim for the technological realism seen in games like Call of Duty or Battlefield. Instead, they embrace a more whimsical and vibrant aesthetic that suits the toy theme perfectly. The game maintains consistent performance and never dips in quality, ensuring a smooth experience throughout. The sound design is impressive, with weapons that pack a punch and convey a satisfying heft despite being made of lightweight plastic. The music accompaniment fits the military action while maintaining a quirky, lighthearted, and cartoonish tone, adding to the overall charm. I had immediate recollections of my days playing the Army Men franchise, specifically Sarge’s Heroes.

…And Knowing Is Half the Battle

Hypercharge: Unboxed offers more than just a game; it’s a journey back to simpler times, where finishing homework, playground adventures, and beloved TV shows were our primary concerns. While appealing to gamers of all ages, it’s clear that Millennials, like myself, will especially relish the nostalgic charm woven into every aspect of the game. 

I was fortunate to receive an advanced review copy for this Xbox Review, yet I enjoyed the game so much that I also purchased the Nintendo Switch version. Playing it on the go adds a new dimension to the experience, and it’s another way I can support the efforts of the team at Digital Cybercherries. Speaking of other platforms, I should mention the game supports online cross-play multiplayer, in addition to offline local co-op.

So, in a nutshell: if you were born between the years 1980-1994 and remember Hot Wheels, G.I. Joe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, He-Man, ThunderCats, Transformers, Army Men, Cabbage Patch Kids, Pound Puppies, Lite-Brite, Madballs, Micro Machines, Skip-It, Super Soaker, Glo Worms, Pogo Ball, Tamagotchis, and Non-Expanding Recreational Foam, you owe it to yourself to check this game out. Your inner 7-year-old will thank you!

To hear me talk more about Hypercharge: Unboxed, be sure to listen to the May 30, 2024 episode of The Gaming Outsider podcast around the 1:31:33 time stamp.

This review is based on an Xbox copy of Hypercharge: Unboxed provided by Stride PR for coverage purposes. It is also available on Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.