Rogue-likes have become popular in recent years, finding life again and again on the digital marketplace. Loopmancer by Chinese team eBrain is an action platformer rogue-like announced last year, one which holds an intriguing narrative of a detective finding himself caught in a loop while investigating a missing reporter. The game boasts realistic graphics and a rich cyberpunk setting with a gameplay focus on action and platforming.

When starting the demo, the first thing players will notice is how nice the game looks, so long as the models aren’t in the frame. It’s evident the character models could use work looking a bit less like plastic, but players will not be noticing those for most of the game anyway. The eBrain developers did a fantastic job creating an atmospheric cyberpunk setting full of gorgeous neon lights and detailed backgrounds. The setting has become the backdrop for popular games such as Cyberpunk 2077, mostly due to the gorgeous visuals that can accompany it. Loopmancer doesn't disappoint in its environmental designs.

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Once the demo begins, players are given the story in bursts of exposition. The player starts Loopmancer as Xiang Zixu, a grieving father who is trying to find out the connections behind his daughter’s death. Currently, he is investigating a missing reporter, who was last seen talking to a criminal who has a heavy grudge for the protagonist; a fact that Loopmancer will drill into the player's head before they’ve even finished the first loop.

loopmancer early access preview

During the first run, Xiang dies and starts back in his apartment at the beginning of the day. In the apartment, the player can upgrade abilities, change clothes, and give themselves randomized buffs by petting the cat, which is the perfect way of encouraging the player to interact with the environment, especially later on, even if it might lead to ruined runs if one buff isn't as effective as others.

The next stopping point is the detective agency, where the player can figure out what area to choose through the intelligence specialist, or buy/upgrade weapons through the weapons expert.

This is how each loop will start, running through both the apartment and detective agency just to get to the gameplay. Along the way, the player will see multiple cutscenes and be stopped to have conversations with characters. This can be especially grating on repeated runs, where most players just want to make the choices on what to go in with and then go in. Shortening this length of the game, or having a way to skip it all, would be preferable to get the player right back into the action without anything to interrupt them.

Loopmancer takes a more focused approach on both the action and the platforming. Although it wasn't as pronounced in the early stages played in the demo, there is an emphasis on performing platforming throughout the entire level. Moving fast and platforming is important to getting through each run, with the player having the ability to wall jump and utilize a grappling hook that is required to move on to the next area. The skill required is not at the level of fast-paced platforming like Ghostrunner, but at some points, the player will have to link moves together, such as grappling twice in a row.

loopmancer early access preview

Overall, traversal feels satisfying to perform, making moving around the world fun and quick. Movement and the ease of using the tools given are smooth, which is important in a game with more weighing on the platforming than most other rogue-likes that like to lean more towards action.

The areas the player will explore are vast and are subject to differ from loop to loop, so exploration during each run could prove fruitful for any who wants to find better items. Luckily, if the player wants to go back in the same loop, they can teleport via machines that also offer a small amount of healing, usually accompanied by the merchant Funk.

Loopmancer has a heavy focus on it, making sure that there is enough depth to make running each loop fun and engaging. The way this combat felt was nice and quick, and once players get the hang of it, decimating enemies in an instant with all the player has available can be incredibly satisfying. Players may be able to compare it to something action-heavy like Dead Cells, where the player is mainly running through and slicing their enemies to bits.

The way a player takes on a situation will depend on the weapons they have and the abilities they equip. Throughout the levels are machines known as PUT machines, that allow players to transfer Loopmancer’s currency, known as eCoins, into it and invest in a new weapon. These carry over to the next loop, so it’s smart to invest early.

loopmancer early access preview

The weapons players can attain in Loopmancer are diverse, from more damaging weapons like katanas and fire axes, to improvisational or joke weapons like a folding stool or salty fish. They can also include special attacks, like the golf club being able to launch projectiles at enemies. From what was seen of the stats on these weapons, they are viable for combat, so, potentially, a player could complete the entire game holding a seasoned salmon.

In addition to this, players can carry a firearm, a prosthetic ability, and a piece of equipment such as mines or grenades. Being able to sufficiently use all of these in the heat of battle is key to survival. There are limited supplies, but Loopmancer includes supply boxes from time to time to replenish anything lost. This helps encourage the player to more frequently use the items they have without the fear of needing them later, a problem players can have in many RPGs and rogue-likes. Also, the player will find booster orbs throughout their playthrough that will give them the choice between two stat increases, like maximum stamina or health bottles.

One important matter that was a real surprise is that the environment genuinely matters in the face of battle. This mostly comes in the way of explosive barrels littered throughout the area, which can cause great damage to not just the enemies, but the player as well. In addition to that, there are several areas encountered that had environmental hazards such as speeding vehicles on the freeway. While those didn't do a lot of damage to enemies, they always knock them down, allowing for more attacks before they get up.

The enemies can be easy to take down, but require some strategy based on their stance. These are indicated by what color they flash; if it’s red, they still take damage but don’t get knocked back, if it’s yellow they are blocking and thus don’t take much damage. This approach keeps players on their toes, but it would be nice to have a block for the protagonist himself, as attacks can be quick and highly damaging. Having to dodge out of the way is a bit tricky, and a quick block might improve combat.

loopmancer early access preview

Besides that, one of the bigger problems with facing these foes is the fact that enemies love grenades. Inconsistencies in enemy animation and grenade detonation time can lead to some frustrations and result in players needing to restart a loop.

Small gripes aside, Loopmancer is proving to be a promising addition to the action rogue-like genre. With an intriguing premise and engaging combat model, this will be game rogue-like fans will find hard to put down.

Loopmancer is planned for release in 2022 on PC.