Futurlab’s sci-fi platformer and shoot ‘em-up hybrid Velocity 2X is now available to purchase on PS4 and PlayStation Vita. If you’re after stylish, fast-paced action that’ll test your thumbs it’s worth considering.
Unlike previous games in Futurlab’s Velocity series (Velocity and Velocity Ultra), 2X lets you play as Lt. Kai Tana outside of her spaceship, as well as within it. With her being more visible, the story is a little more prominent in 2X than in previous games in the series, but it’s restricted to skippable cutscenes so it only interferes with the action if you want it to.
Despite adding an extra genre to the mix, Velocity 2X loses none of its series’s reputation as a “high-speed playground”. What’s come to define Velocity is the teledash ability that sees you warping short distances through hazardous surfaces. It emphasizes dodging and spatial positioning while maintaining a breakneck speed. Futurlab says that the main goal is for the game to be like “Metroid on steroids.”
On foot, Lt. Kai Tana retains this teledash ability just as her ship, but must navigate the narrow spaces of gauntlets blasting enemies with an explosive laser. Velocity 2X also has you melting the insides of humongous bosses, racing against the clock while blasting the Vokh scum, which may or may not mean you have time to admire the low-detail, high-style environment art.
Velocity 2X has released with Day One DLC called Critical Urgency that features six speed-run levels that are designed to teach you new tricks and push your skills.
You can purchase the game for $19.99 for PS4 and PlayStation Vita, and it comes with cross-buy and cross-save, so you need only to purchase it once. Saying that, if you’re a PlayStation Plus member you can get this new game for free this month.
