A frenetic action FPS where you kick and shoot hordes of enemies? Don’t tell me anymore, I’m in! That was my first impression when I first saw Free Lives’ Anger Foot a few years ago. This game is incredibly simple, but it hits the spot that made Hotline Miami such a feast for the eyes. The goal is to get through small and dizzying levels like “Anger Foot”, as the protagonist is also called, kicking, flying into a thousand pieces and shooting the various enemies that get in your way, raw and twisted in a John Wick-style style. . It’s crazy, turbulent, and a perfect example of how a game system can be taken to another level and used for something completely fast-paced.
The gameplay experience is exactly as I described it before, think of Ghostrunner with a tripod on it. You complete a level (one of more than 60) that lasts about two minutes and the goal is to fight your way through different rooms, defeating enemies and avoiding hazards without them doing you much damage. You are the definition of a glass cannon and if you take too much damage you are eliminated from the game and have to start the level over. In theory it may seem simple but in practice Anger Foot is a game of reflexes, running and speed. As soon as the enemies see you they start shooting at you with precision without blinking, meaning you are not paying attention or are not getting ready to die more often than you can imagine. Often this design can be a headache and lead to frustration, but practice makes perfect. If we go back to the John Wick comparison, imagine John without a bulletproof suit protecting him from gunfire. That’s what Anger Foot is all about. You must be faster and deadlier than the hordes of enemies or you will lose.
It’s an extreme game in many ways, but Free Lives isn’t out to ruin your day with an overwhelming and difficult challenge. Anger Foot is a god among men. The protagonist confronts the mafia after they steal his prized sneaker collection, but realises it’s a brown, rabid beast that will kill you with a single kick and can effortlessly pick up one of the many weapons and charge at anything that moves. This is where flow comes into play again, as you manage to get through the levels using only melee attacks, you can also swipe with a 9mm cannon and take out five enemies, throw the weapon to stun, grab a shotgun, repeat and blow up an explosive barrel before swapping it for a crossbow that impales another row of enemies. Player control in Anger Foot is excellent. The game is all about completing the task at hand the way you want to, although Free Lives does offer you some challenges along the way.
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As if that wasn’t enough, Anger Foot offers you 60 levels in four main areas that take around four hours to explore. For collectors (and masochists), each level has two secondary challenges that combine at the end of the level to unlock one of the three available stars. These challenges are mostly brutal and will push you to your limits. Sometimes you’ll be asked to complete a level in a ridiculously set time, not kill an enemy, complete the level while wearing a specific unlockable shoe (which you get by earning enough stars and adds an extra perk that Anger Foot can use, like slide attacks or a second life), kill enemies with a shot to the melon, and more. Importantly, these challenges change the game from simple survival to absurd challenges that will likely be impossible for many. But if you’re up to the task, go for it!
It’s not just about the gameplay – which, no matter how you enjoy it, always remains engaging – but also the audiovisual presentation. This game features a very simple HUD that never overwhelms the player and, frankly, it’s easy to forget it exists, which does wonders for immersion. The art direction is vibrant and colorful, if very rough and so twisted that you sometimes have to do a double take. The soundtrack fits the dynamics of the game perfectly, with powerful bass to get the blood pumping. The whole concept of Anger Foot feels incredibly organized and tight, and remains a great example of how simple mechanics can shine when heavily refined.
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The only parts of the game that I never really liked were the boss encounters. At the end of each main area, there is a confrontation with a crime boss from that part. These are usually multi-phase encounters that are not comparable in terms of challenge or difficulty. Aside from being somewhat different from the rest of the game, they are less stressful and easier to get through. Rather than serving to test your qualities to complete the level, they seem to be a ploy to add some girliness to the plot, as this aspect is conspicuous by its absence in Anger Foot. Free Lives offers an absurd game, they know it and so do we, so there’s no need to beat around the bush on these issues. It’s a bizarre game about a criminal who kills hundreds of criminals living in a fictional metropolis, Shit City, for stealing his sneakers. If you were expecting a deep and surprising plot, you’re in the wrong game.
It’s partly this self-awareness that makes Anger Foot a blast to play. Its absurd nature makes it stand out and shine, although it’s not the only thing that stands out. It doesn’t drag on for too long, constantly adding extra challenge and variety through new enemy types, more weapons, and new biomes, all with top-notch presentation and measured, impeccable performance, yet with the thoughtfulness to offer truly hard-hitting additional activities. Challenging for those who want to push themselves to the limit. If you’re looking for a high-energy, loud, and violent action experience this summer, Anger Foot is the game for you.