As I shoot and slice my way through hordes of sci-fi soldiers and mythical demons, I'm in awe of Bright Memory: Infinite. This slick, ambitious title takes all the positives of its predecessor, Bright Memory, and adds a more refined feel to its two-hour campaign. While that may sound short to some, I can assure you that it’s all but infinitely replayable.
Watch our gameplay video of Bright Memory: Infinite here
You play as Shelia, an agent of the Supernatural Science Research Organization (SRO). Shelia (that’s not a typo), is tasked with investigating an apocalyptic phenomenon, and to do this she’ll need to eliminate waves of enemies. This is where you come in, wielding bullets and blades like the perfect killing machine.
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Story aside, Bright Memory: Infinite is all about the arcade-like gameplay. The violent harmony as you swap between weapons in order to spectacularly put down your opponents is so epic that it almost feels like you’ve entered first-person perspective in a Devil May Cry title. Squeeze off some rounds, dodge an attack, stun a foe with a special ability, unleash your futuristic sword, and before you know it, you’ll be surrounded by an array of corpses from different eras.
You see, you’ll fight a welcome array of enemies in Bright Memory: Infinite. Some of them are basic FPS fodder, like the enemy grunts in their unsettling, astronaut-style suits. But then you have giant Chinese demons, capable of flattening you with a single throw of a boulder. The variety of baddies keeps you engaged all the way, even if some of them are ridiculous bullet sponges.
There’s a whole host of references visible when playing Bright Memory: Infinite. The sci-fi FPS feel evokes the Crysis series, as well as SEGA’s cult hit Binary Domain. The smooth, fast-paced movement brings to mind the Titanfall games, as well as some Call of Duty titles. Then there are the Dark Souls-esque enemies, from sword and shield-wielding warriors, to enormous, monstrous bosses. This string of influences is numerous, but it all combines into a unique gaming experience.
Sadly, it’s not all smooth sailing. During the review phase, Bright Memory: Infinite crashed several times. Each one forced a reboot of the game that wasn’t too bad to live with, but one happened just as I’d beaten a boss and sent me all the way back to the start of the fight. Given just how arduous a scrap it was on my first go, I was understandably annoyed.
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However, publisher PLAYISM has confirmed one patch already to deal with the issue, and one would assume more fixes are on the way. Here’s hoping developer FYQD-Studio gets on top of this, because Bright Memory: Infinite really is superb when it’s running properly.
There’s also the issue of quick time events. This staple of ‘00s gaming feels long past its welcome at this point, and its presence in Bright Memory: Infinite is no exception. Add to that the fact all cutscenes are unskippable (including those without QTEs) and you’ll find repeat plays lack the ideal pace.
Despite these drawbacks, there is an awful lot to like about Bright Memory: Infinite. Fighting crowds of enemies never gets old, especially when it’s broken up by superb boss fights, a thrilling car chase and some visually spectacular set pieces. More of it would be nice, but this instalment in the Bright Memory franchise is enough for now.
For a short, replayable FPS game, Bright Memory: Infinite really is a stunning creation. Like its prequel, it is engaging, exciting and extraordinarily fun. Similar to many Resident Evil titles, it’s perfect for playing through multiple times, and it’s a game I urge any first-person shooter fan to play.
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Pros: Frenetic gameplay, variety of weapons, memorable enemies
Cons: Crashed multiple times, some players may prefer a longer runtime
For fans of: Bright Memory, Crysis series, Titanfall series
7/10: Very Good
Bright Memory: Infinite releases November 12, 2021 for PC via Steam. Game tested with code provided by the publisher. Find a guide to GAMINGbible's review scores here.
Featured Image Credit: FYQD-Studio, PLAYISM