Pieces Interactive released their action packed Rogue-Lite game on PC entitled Kill to Collect via Steam which is a futuristic cyberpunk hack and slash game using a top down view. You’re offered online multiplayer with up to three additional players and a choice of four unique characters who each have a specific way to be played. The idea is fairly simple, hunt down gangs and kingpins for a bounty across a number of floors for each hit. Reach the last floor and take down the boss.
The fun lies not only in being able to beat down the opposition but also the random element each time you play. So, between each floor you’ll come to a shop area where new supplies can be purchased with parts gained from clearing enemies from each room (you’ll snag a neat bonus amount if you’re able to do so without taking damage). These are random as well which means you’ll have to take the rough with the smooth here with things like extra speed, shields, projectile weapons and such like. There’s also an option to upgrade the character’s abilities with gained food stamps and includes things like special attack cooldown reduction, increased attack power and reduced cost for replacing lost health. This is random so a bit of luck is involved but adds a touch of mystery to proceedings.
The core fighting gameplay is very different across the four “Hunter” characters which include a sword wielding femme fatale, an enhanced headphone wearing human with robotic like arms for weapons, a hulking well armoured gun toting Corps officer and a crazy looking scavenger type who deploys a turret and attacks with electricity. All of the characters share a dodge manoeuvre and ranged weapons which can be picked up and swapped out during play, but their core moves means players will need to adapt how they approach the enemies – where you’ll learn attack patterns and counter-attack accordingly, or use their own weapons against themselves which is quite neat. There’s a bit of stiffness and timing to get used to at first – for example you cant cancel an attack animation with a dodge roll and vice versa which can lead to an untimely death. There are also occasions where the scenery can box you in against certain foes leaving no room to dodge out the way. These are things to be mindful of, but perhaps the worst cause for frustration and a quick demise are small bots which can basically sap nearly all of your health in one kamikaze style hit. In the thick of the action it’s quite easy to miss these little critters until it’s too late and in this game if you fail there’s no checkpoints so the whole bounty will have to be tackled from the beginning.
In regards to the bounties you’re able to follow a story mode which comprises of a few cutscenes to add a little purpose, but you can skip that entirely and just choose a bounty and get on with the action. There’s a daily challenge mode as well which requires you to complete 8 randomly generated floors – offering two options here, a replayable challenge and a one-time shot challenge with each boasting its own leaderboard to compare with others.
In terms of presentation the game is neatly wrapped up in a synthesiser filled 80s inspired soundtrack which is pretty sweet and suits the cyberpunk theme perfectly. The graphics are functional with basic animations coupled with a decent variety of enemy types but the industrial look of each level isn’t very interesting and could have presented more varied rooms.
For the longer terms there’s the aforementioned multiplayer for four players online – sadly local co-op isn’t an option although might be added at a later date. This seems a shame as the game would have worked very well as a local option. There are also extra difficulties, unlockable weapons load-outs, titles and character skins should these be of interest. The random element also means replay value is high.
Kill to Collect is an interesting and fun to play action game that does have the ability to sink its hooks into you. There’s a definite level of difference between the four characters which might change your opinion about the game, so a bit of experimentation is required to help find your feet. Whilst the game is billed as an online multiplayer game it’s still very cool to play as a solo offering.
If you’re a fan of the dangers rogue-lite games present and can handle close quarters combat a top down view, then you’ll find Kill to Collect is fun and engaging experience. Whilst it’s not the most complex of hack and slash games, it’s simple enough to be a pick up and play offering for anyone willing to give it a shot. With a cool sci-fi theme and rousing electronic music, this is worth checking out on PC despite its generally simplistic visuals.
Score – 7.5/10
