I can think of dozens of games that support co-op play, but that given different circumstances, I mostly played them by myself. Sniper Elite: Nazi Zombie Army and Killing Floor were two clear exceptions for me since those experiences can get boring super fast in single player. But they become something else entirely in co-op, especially with a bunch of friends and a few snacks. Hours flew by during Friday and Saturday nights, and I always go back to those times with memories, missing that free time more than I probably should.
Full Metal Furies places itself in a similar vein, but exceeds itself in different ways. Away from being a shooter (although there are guns here and there), it introduces itself as a 2D brawler with a surprising focus on puzzle solving and secrets scattered pretty much everywhere. The game lets you command a group of four women, each with its own playstyle depending on the weapon they carry. And they are all super badass as well.
In here, the focus on multiplayer is not only encouraged, but also tied to the game as well. With a selection of attacks and skill trees to level up and upgrade them, you’ll be kicking the ass of everything that gets on your way. But there are particular enemies that will shield themselves inside a specific color, matching a particular character. As you might be guessing, only them will be able to damage them until the shield finally breaks.
If you’re playing co-op with just one partner, enemies will display two colors at most. But in singleplayer, you can switch between the four characters with just one button, leading for an arsenal of possibilities and the weight of the world on your shoulders.
Whichever you of playing you choose will surely be tied to your preferences, but do keep in mind that Full Metal Furies is a hard game. As in evilish hard. I have mostly played this with just one partner besides me, and even though we were literally next to each other to coordinate and try to organize how to approach that one medkit that suddenly appeared as a last salvation, we had a rough time.
I have played Shank 2, Castle Crashers, and many other co-op brawlers, but Full Metal Furies requires precision and a clear knowledge of what your character can and cannot dude in order to endure. For example, the one I used had the chance to counter attacks, but only if this was done as timely as possible with an incoming blow. My partner was using the sniper, and again, every missed shot was the difference between life and death.
It’s a matter of experimenting and trying to come up with the best combinations in the party, but for me, this game is way more suited for the full experience with four characters on screen. That leads to something more chaotic, since it means the four colors are going to be displayed in shields for most enemies, but having a wider range of abilities at your disposal, along with a clear and constant communication sounds much better than trying to save the world by yourself.
And aside from what happens in the battlefield, Full Metal Furies carries a bigger depth than one would expect, especially for a game from its genre. There’s a central main story lead by the four protagonists and the main villain of the game (oh, and there’s a cat as well) that takes you around a huge map with different locations to get in and explore, some tied to the story and others are secondary, becoming available as you progress.
There’s also a hub that can be used for levelling up the stats and abilities of each character, and if you’re playing with just one or two players, you can all switch characters in there as well. New equipment also becomes available through blueprints that you’ll get as loot or hidden treasure in the game, and from what I’ve played, there are entire sets you can get, along with a lot of abilities to spend your hard earned gold.
But the main selling point, and what could set some players apart, is the strong focus on puzzle solving. In games like these you can expect a few light puzzle sections, requiring you to move crates or find specific keys in order to progress. But we’re talking about puzzles that demand you to take a break, grab a notepad and start looking for matches.
Full Metal Furies is an ambitious follow up to the studio’s previous work that demands even more accuracy and attention from you than you could expect. The music is once again top notch, and all the dialogues and art style carry the same vein of what made the studio so unique in the past, if only increased even further. It’s a tough experience that won’t let you get away that easily, and for those who love puzzles, this is the brawler for you. Just try to have a few friends ready to help.
A copy of Full Metal Furies for Switch was provided by the devs for review purposes. Make sure to visit the official site for more information.
