Review - SPRAWL zero
Developer: MAETH
Publisher: Kwalee
Available on: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam)
A few years ago, SPRAWL from developer MAETH took players on a rich cyberpunk journey, very much inspired by classic first-person shooters and mid-90s sci-fi. The game was unique in its gameplay and storytelling. Now, developer MAETH is back again to revisit the world of the SPRAWL. Only this time, it's a tale that takes us back to the beginning.
With a unique first-person gameplay hook, SPRAWL zero is a prequel that is kinetic, exciting, and fresh, with moment-to-moment gameplay that is unique and impactful, even if the experience is a little on the short side.
Enter The Sprawl
SPRAWL put us on a journey of freedom and rebellion, as players took on the role of former cyborg soldier Seven on their quest for justice. Now, players are on the other side of the tracks, playing as the villain. As a heavily augmented cyborg soldier, there is nothing except the mission. A religious techno cult is threatening the SPRAWL and must be wiped out. A massive operation is underway, and you are the tip of the spear. What unfolds is a journey of violence and darkness, but perhaps a bridge into hope for the future.
SPRAWL zero is set within a dystopian cyberpunk world. Players play as FIVE, a literal walking weapon with most of your humanity being stripped away in favor of cold steel and rich circuitry. The goal is to execute orders without question.
SPRAWL zero bills itself as a “Y2K” shooter, which isn’t something you hear every day. There are the retro boomer shooters like Cultic and Agent 64: Spies Never Die and roguelite shooters like Deadzone: Rogue, but a Y2K shooter evokes a different kind of experience. Shooters used to be corridors and mazes, but there was a time when they shifted to being more than that. Shooters went through an evolutionary period in the very early 00s, where a living world was part of the experience. Games of this caliber included Halo and Half-Life 2.
Time To Split
SPRAWL zero is a fast-paced shooter inspired by the aforementioned titles, but I couldn’t help but feel the game is inspired by the likes of TimeSplitters as well, especially with its presentation. While the game is more brutalist and grim than the TimeSplitters games, the momentum and shooting elements feel remarkably similar, from its silky-smooth framerate to fast-paced mechanics.
The game mechanics in SPRAWL zero are unique to the genre. There is no reloading with any weapon in the game whatsoever. However, as a walking weapon, you are armed to the teeth with the latest upgrades and equipment. The game starts players off with a devastating one-hit punch that obliterates enemies into a pulpy mess. However, the melee attack charges and leaves players vulnerable to enemy fire. This is where the gravity gloves kick in.
Power In Your Hands
In the spirit of the Half-Life 2 gravity gun, players have gravity gloves. These gloves allow players to pick up objects, destroy objects, and pick up weapons with the push of a button. Each area of combat is littered with debris that can be used against the enemy, from boxes to explosive barrels, and even barrels filled with poisonous gas. Most importantly, the gloves can retrieve weapons, which are essential to fighting and survival.
There are over 40 weapons in SPRAWL zero. Assault rifles, miniguns, several types of shotguns, burst rifles, thermal chainsaws, the works. The key in this game is to keep finding weapons and experimenting with their different abilities. No two assault rifles are the same. SPRAWL zero uses a color system, with grey being common and purple being rare and powerful. In a world with no reloading whatsoever, the gameplay in SPRAWL zero is all about running and gunning, while using the gravity gloves to grab weapons and shoot back. As the weapons run out of ammo, players quickly pick up another weapon lying on the ground and continue wreaking destruction.
Lock And Load
The cult may not be as technologically advanced as Five, but they are nonetheless dangerous. They are a cross between stormtroopers and the Helghast from Killzone. Once spotted, the enemies maneuver, flank, and pursue players with aggression and lethality. They start off as typical soldiers but soon evolve into hammer-wielding brutes and nimble martial artists.
SPRAWL zero scratches an itch I didn't know that needed to be scratched. It has gameplay that has momentum and kinetic energy, but also is easy to understand and use, even as the game moves at a breakneck pace. It's fully vibrant, even as the environments feature browns and greys of a dystopia. The environments do diversify as the game progresses.
I found myself experiencing a euphoric jolt playing SPRAWL zero. As I played, I couldn't help but remark at the speed, chaos, and moment-to-moment gameplay of the shooting and gravity mechanics. I got myself stuck in incredibly dangerous situations, only to grab a weapon and blast my way out in a pinch.
The best way to describe SPRAWL zero is if Timesplitters had no reloading and was much faster. I couldn't help but be reminded of that particular title, which means developer MAETH succeeded in capturing the speed and essence of early 00s shooters. That doesn't mean SPRAWL zero is anything like Unreal Tournament, but it does succeed in feeling like Timesplitters and, to an extent, Halo.
Run And Gun
When the shooting and music combine, SPRAWL zero is unlike anything I have played all year long. Its speed and tenacity are unique, but the music just absolutely crushes it! It's a euphoric mixture of speed and energy that shooters seem to be missing today, and also shooting in a pure form. There aren't any wild entanglements or mechanics. Just run, shoot, pick up weapons, and decimate the enemy. This makes SPRAWL zero enjoyable and approachable, whether players long for the games of yesteryear or are tired of the modern shooter experience and want something new.
Checkpoint
If things are a little too fast, SPRAWL zero does have guidance on where to head next and checkpoints. Anytime players pass through a green gate, the game saves. This makes the checkpoint system generous, especially when in a pinch. As mentioned before, enemies crawl through each level and spread about the stage. Checking corners and staying on guard is the best way to survive, but the checkpoints help.
SPRAWL zero gives a few more tools to use. Bullettime does what it says, slowing down time for players to dispatch enemies in quick succession. A ballistic energy shield absorbs enemy fire and returns that fire back at enemies. SPRAWL zero is very successful in making the player feel powerful, but the journey is far from easy.
Glitches in the system
If there's anything that holds SPRAWL zero back, it's the length and the repetition. There are moments in the game that do change things up. Different enemy types have players think quickly about how to defeat them. There are boss fights to contend with and some levels where your augments are turned off. However, the core experience remains the same. Run, gun, grab enemies, fight hard, rinse and repeat.
Furthermore, there is the length. SPRAWL zero will take you about 6-8 hours, which is relatively short. Some might be put off by the shorter length, but others may appreciate a smaller, more compact shooting experience compared to the more bloated experiences of today. There is also the trade-off of finding secrets and codexes on New Game Plus, as well as gunning for the higher difficulties. This is a straightforward single-player experience, with no multiplayer or co-op.
KMFDM
Visually, SPRAWL zero very much locks in on a very specific period in science fiction storytelling, both in games and movies. If the first game was inspired by anime masterpieces like Ghost In The Shell, SPRAWL zero is inspired by The Matrix and the overlooked Equilibrium. Brutalist, worn-down architecture fills the void. Electric wires and heavy industry show a city at a standstill. This is a land stripped of flesh and humanity, leaving only steel and electronics.
The same can be applied to the music, which certainly nails the more anime and early 00s shooter flair. The early 00s EDM is extraordinary with its charged atmosphere and vocalizations. It absolutely captures the mood and intensity of the fast-paced shooting and cyberpunk atmosphere. The music carries players through the high-intensity firefights and moment-to-moment gameplay.
SPRAWL ZERO
Indie games have a special magic to them. A developer can see a vision and pursue that vision. It's like planting a seed and watching it grow into a forest. MAETH clearly has a vision for Sprawl in Sprawl Zero, and it's great to watch it grow. My hope is that the developer continues to see this game, and any future installments, flourish.
While short, SPRAWL zero is a fast and kinetic first-person shooter that is great for those who are nostalgic and have a hankering for something different. Its quick gameplay and unique presentation make this one worth checking out. Time to jump in and execute the mission.
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