Kong: Survivor Instinct marks the latest addition to the official Monsterverse gaming franchise. Developed by up-and-coming indie studio 7LEVELS, this title bridges the narrative gap between “Godzilla vs Kong” and the recent “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.” However, players might be surprised to learn that they won’t be stepping into the massive footprints of Kong or any other Titan in this adventure. In fact, the game takes an unexpected direction that sets it apart from what fans might anticipate. Let’s dive deeper into what Kong: Survivor Instinct offers and what players can expect when they first launch the game.
So first of all let’s look at the story we are being told and what features the game offers. The game itself is a 2D side-scrolling platform experience. Not only that it is offering a Metroidvania type exploration and we can upgrade our gear along the way. However, let’s look at Steam to see more on the story and features. We get told that a “sudden Titan attack prompts massive evacuation efforts not everyone makes it to safety before the devastation ensues”. Residents have been trapped in the ruins after the monsters fought and your character’s daughter is one. We also see the listing tells us the game is a “2.5D action-adventure game that combines realistic platforming, challenging combat, and Metroidvania-style exploration”. Along with it being a “thrilling quest of survival worthy of the Monsterverse franchise”.
True Monsterverse Adventure
Influence the Titans with Monarch tech and use their enormous strength to your advantage as you navigate a treacherous maze of collapsing buildings, toxic leaks, and raging fires. Scavenge for resources, weapons, and tools to solve environmental puzzles and defend yourself against both human and monster enemies
Face The Legendary Kong
Explore and survive as you encounter Kong in all his majestic glory, face the formidable Abaddon, and confront other new and returning superspecies and Titans! Whether you scavenge through half-destroyed buildings or fight off mercenaries, these enormous monsters are nearby, directly or indirectly impacting your gameplay. Though the Titans pose a lethal threat, you can – and must – influence their behavior with the ORCA Σ, a new prototype inspired by Monarch’s technology.
Alan Jonah Returns
Discover an official Monsterverse story set shortly after the events of Godzilla vs. Kong. Stand your ground against the Hyenas, a mercenary group led by Alan Jonah. Reemerging after the events of Godzilla: King of the Monsters, the former eco-terrorist leader returns to Kong: Kong: Survivor Instinct with a new villainous scheme.
A Father’s Mission To Rescue His Daughter
Take on the role of David, an oil rig worker braving a crumbling city to find your only child, Stacy. Make your way through the districts while encountering fellow survivors taking shelter among the rubble, mourning their loved ones, or on the verge of giving up hope. Feel the awe-inspiring terror Titans bring upon a city through the eyes of a father desperate to find his daughter!
Kong: Survivor Instinct And How It Plays
So I’ll start off by saying this style of game is not a genre I normally look at. In fact, the platforming side would normally put this game lower down my list. I watched some early gameplay and decided to try the game out. The opening of the game can be seen below which is more of a tutorial to the basics you’ll use.
Now the big question we can see how it looks and is the game enjoyable to play. Bear in mind this is a style of game I normally bypass. However here I found the game easy to play and smooth to play. That’s even with some jumping frames in animation on odd occasions. Another thing the game has been really addictive and fun to boot. This is one key reason for playing games, and especially ones like this. Visually it looks really good with some impressive textures and lighting at play.
The platforming side of the game is well-designed as well, you don’t need to be proficient at it to enjoy it. Also, the Metroidvania-type approach to exploration is not over the top and I have yet to find it frustrating at all. In fact the in-game map makes the world we explore seem very easy to understand. Puzzles are usually straightforward and the answer has been explored a little more if stuck. Combat is simply designed but so effective in its implementation.
A Summary
So far it’s been a fantastic game to play. All this when considering it’s a genre I try to avoid normally as I previously said. It’s a very polished end product that is well-designed in all its areas of gameplay mechanics and features. It’s also a game that has clearly had a lot of love put into the development. The approach to how the game is played may be a surprising one but it very much works. It’s reasonably priced as well, with it having a pre launch discount before going back to the price of $24.99 in November. It’s also a game I would recommend considering as a purchase.
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