What makes a good video game is different for different people. Some want a graphical showcase, others an in depth story, whilst many now want endless hours of online multiplayer. Personally I enjoy all types of game but no matter how good the story or how impressive the lighting effects there is one thing that must always come before all else. The name of our hobby gives it away, gameplay. Gameplay should always be at the heart of the experience regardless of what other bells and whistles come along with it. Resogun thankfully has great gameplay in spades. The story is as simple as ‘Save the last humans’. This is all you really need to know. Each of the five levels has ten imprisoned humans which can only be released by eliminating the highlighted ‘keeper’ enemies or maintaining your score multiplier. Collecting the recently escaped humans and dropping (or throwing) them in to one of the levels escape pods will bag you an upgrade to your ship, weapon or an extra life. This is just the start of the beauty that is Resogun.

Your first task is to pick one of three ships, each to suit a different play style and significantly they way should play to succeed. There’s no tutorial or instruction manual, a few basic tips on loading screens is as much help as you’re going to get here. Your first few bumbling attempts are likely to result in multiple human casualties and pitiful scores but slowly the intricacies of the systems at play begin to surface. You start to read enemies patterns as they spawn in the background, planning your approach accordingly. Then you learn to use the screen clearing bomb for when things go pear shaped. Finally is the boost which begins as a last ditch effort to flee encroaching enemies but soon becomes another offensive weapon as you chain boost kills together.

Like the games of my youth Resogun is so compelling because whilst at its simplest level of shoot the baddies and don’t die anyone can play and enjoy the game but as you put more time and dedication in to the game it becomes much more complex and interesting as your reflexes develop to the level of a free running monkey scampering up a sheer wall. Some may complain that five short levels are too few but that doesn’t mean there aren’t hours and hours of fun to be had here. I have multiple platinum trophies but earning the Resogun platinum was one of the most enjoyable. Not only that but unlike every other platinum under my belt which signalled the last time I booted the game; my first thought with Resogun was to start another round. Even at 100% completion there is plenty of fun to be had chasing high scores, learning the intricacies of each ship or for the really brave attempting the game on the hardest difficulty.

If Resogun was a colour it would be all of them exploding at once. So does that mean it’s for you? Well you’ve probably already answered that but if not I can’t recommend it highly enough. Ok it may not be for everyone but if you like playing games you’re doing yourself a disservice not to at least give it a good go. For those who gravitate towards score chasing or just plain old simple shooting harking back to the games of the ’80’s but with a next gen polish this is nothing less than essential, another classic from Housemarque and with DLC confirmed I expect to be playing for a good while yet. Go buy it now. Go on off you go. The review is finished now so no need to hang around, buy it.