There’s something to be said for traditional shooters. Hearkening back to the era of Asteroids and Sinistar, with SketchFighter 4000 Alpha taking elements from both of those and distilling them down into an appropriately minimalistic format.
If you’re a fan of classic shooters like those from Atari, or you want something a little bit different, SketchFighter 4000 Alpha has you covered on both fronts and is one of the more surprisingly charming games we’ve played in a while.
How to Download SketchFighter 4000 Alpha
To download the game, click on the Download button located below this review. Check out also other software by Lost Minds that we have reviewed: Vectoraster, Patternodes, and Dice Bag.
The Game Review
First, we’ll start with the presentation since that is SketchFighter 4000 Alpha’s most unique aspect. This is immediately apparent as well as the graphics are both functional, descriptive, somewhat nostalgia-inducing, and absolutely perfect for what this game is trying to achieve.
Everything takes place on what looks like graph paper and the whimsical idea that this is some kind of game you have crafted on paper is evocative of childhood memories where you either dreamed of making your own game or levels in a favorite title. That said, the graphics move at an impressive clip, offering clean visuals and a crisp presentation that makes this indie game a study in shine and polish.
Beyond graphics, you also have sound and music to consider. The former is quite impressive. All of the blips and bloops you would expect in a space shooter-style game are present and accounted for in this title. They come through with a crispness and clarity that matches the art style and works well with the general theme of the game itself. As for the music, where it is present, it is minimal a la Minecraft and other games where music is never offensive nor prominent. Overall, the game is well-tuned and high-quality everywhere that matters and in some places that don’t as well.
Offering free exploration and 2D shooting in one-player or two-player modes, SketchFighter 4000 Alpha is frequently updated and the devs even ask the community of fans for suggestions about future content to add. Packed with mini-bosses and bosses, the game allows for cooperative or competitive two-player gaming and some mix-and-match gameplay customization with the weapons system. Featuring very little in the way of story, much of the game is up to the player’s interpretation and imagination both of which are perfectly in keeping with the game’s larger themes.
The gameplay is tight and the controls are responsive. The challenge varies from light and breezy to quite intense. It will actually shock you with how difficult it can be at times. While the devs encourage exploration and free-roaming, you’ll quickly notice that areas are barred off to you and that this proposition isn’t without its own dangers. Towards that end, there are two endings in the game with each one unlocked depending on various conditions you meet during the game.
It almost goes without saying, but this kind of replayability alongside community updates really goes a long way towards underlining how serious the devs were about making SketchFighter 4000 Alpha – a game that ostensibly eschews any pretenses whatsoever. A high-quality game, we had way more fun than expected with this title and recommend it to anyone looking for a solid, visually intriguing shooter.
