Aesthetic Charm

Furi is packed with so much colour and charm that it’s a sheer pleasure to observe. Boss phase transitions allow a close-up look at your foe and animations give a clue as to what you should expect next. Take for example, the scythe wielding prisoner known as “The Strap”. She appears to be wrapped in restraints that restrict certain attacks, but as she moves through her phases, these restraints are released. This allows her to launch new and more powerful deluges of attacks against you.

Bosses are designed by Afro Samurai creator Takashi Okazaki, and each boss is gorgeous to look at. Finishing blow type attacks that trigger when you have depleted your opponent’s health bar during the close-up fights are awesome to watch. Seeing this initially perceived weak stranger performing such impressive attack movements is a feast for your eyes.

Environments you traverse are spectacular and so gorgeously designed that you’ll feel yourself transported into the game itself.

And the music… Oh the music! This is one of those rare games that you should purchase with the original soundtrack. Musically speaking, The Game Bakers have pulled off an incredible OST with the help of electro musicians, Carpenter Brut, Danger, The Toxic Avenger, Lorn, Scattle, Waveshaper and Kn1ght.

Final Thoughts

Furi is going to provide you with heaps of gameplay, and with another difficulty level, “Furier”, to unlock after you’ve completed the middle and recommended difficulty level “Furi”, you’re going to have your hands full with boss fights. After that you can unlock speed runs, so Furi is not going to let you put it down.

The fights are difficult. Just make sure you enter the purchase of this game knowing that. If you don’t have sharp reflexes, there might be a lot of rage quits. But if you want to hone your skills and reflexes, Furi is going to be a good partner.

Sure there are a few boss mechanics that feel a little cheap and almost too hard to counter, but I guess that’s another part that adds to the fun. When you manage to find that pixel-perfect timing and furi-ously counter the boss, your head will grow proportionally.

I feel Furi is aimed at older gamers who like a bit of nostalgia and appreciate darker, mysterious stories filled with exciting challenges. You’ll definitely enjoy playing through Furi if you can take the heat!

Score

4 stars – challenging boss fights set in a gorgeously designed world