Clone drone in Hyperdome review – Gladiator Robots

Clone drone in Hyperdome review

Clone Drone In The Hyperdome (CHDH) is the virtual reality sequel to Clone Drone In The Danger Zone from developer Doborog. Both are robot-based combat arena games. CHDH takes Voxel's destruction of the Danger Zone and ups the ante. It also relies on sword fighting in a way that only offers the three-dimensionality that virtual reality offers.

You play as Blink, a teleporting robot. Yes, pun intended. Like Maximus, you are recruited for the gladiator games, known as Crashloop. This is a deadly rogue-like tournament with the ultimate goal of reaching the ubiquitous Hyperdome. There you will face the Captain. Can you defeat him and become the new Captain?

Voxel destruction is the developer's big selling point for Danger Zone. With voxels it is possible to create specific destruction points. You can cut off a robot's leg and it will be gone forever. Limb orientation is much more precise in virtual reality. As befits a robot game, all weapons are energy-based. This makes attack damage accurate. It also gives the game a Jedi Knight Academy vibe.
There is a wide variety of weapons to choose from. Melee weapons to choose from include axes, swords, broadswords, daggers, bows and arrows. On the defensive side, there are a variety of shields. As you gain experience by defeating enemies, more weapon options will open up. At first, it is wise to run with a sword and shield combination to protect yourself from arrow attacks. A single arrow hit can end your life.

combat strategy

In theory, the variety of weapons should allow for different combat. My experience was quite different. You can go through the entire game with the same weapons. I choose two swords, since it is easier to parry and counter enemy attacks. One-handed weapons are more accurate and faster to wield than two-handed ones. Weapons like the pike or the katana are no match. This was also true against the double-bladed staff much like Star Wars' Darth Maul.

Note: Having two swords also proved to be an effective defense against ranged weapons. This applies to deflecting arrows or shurikens.

Combine the swords with the movement scheme and it will be quite easy to avoid attacks. To clarify, you move around the game using teleportation. So the strategy of teleporting past an enemy just before their attack worked wonders. The only time teleporting was problematic was with multiple enemies. If you're not careful, you could teleport into a group of them.

Of course, any rogue-like combat game doesn't deserve the name if it doesn't include power-ups. In CHDH you acquire Turbofists. Defeating enemies in battle or purchasing them from the store will give you turbofists. Turbofists offer a strategic advantage: the ability to temporarily slow time, shoot flames, and throw shurikens. You can even summon zombies!

combat loop

If you want a real challenge, you can even try it with bare fists. Bare knuckles are definitely the hardest way to do things. You have no defensive skills and most dodge all attacks. Whether they are melee weapons or projectiles. Only the most experienced players should attempt fights.

CDHD keeps the game loop fresh by randomizing the stages on each run. You choose from three doors between stages to determine your next combat encounter. The rewards for each are different, with the hardest one offering double the reward coins. Your decisions with the doors affect your relationship with other combatants.

Between stages, you will also be able to access the store. Here you do the expected activities, such as purchasing weapons, more health, and new Turbofist powers. You will get coins for winning battles, plus there are breakable objects that also contain coins. There is also a training area for you to perfect the use of weapons.

After each Crashloop run, the system sends you to the loading room. Here, combatants will interact with you in different ways, depending on what happened on the battlefield. While the conversations have no effect on the actual combat, they do generate some investment from the player as they get to know the other challengers. The voice acting is good and each character has a unique personality to go with them.

Relaxed combat experience

CDHD comes with the standard set of virtual reality options. You can play standing or sitting and there is a height calibration button to measure it. For VR newbies, there is a Vignette option to reduce the view during moments of fast movement. Although teleportation restricts movement, you can control turns. There is the possibility of choosing between fast or smooth turning, and you can also control the turning speed.

CHDH is pretty tame for a roguelike combat game. The combat is not too difficult. You could argue that it's too easy. But in a world of Dark Soul and Elden Ring games, CHDH is a nice palette change. Voxel graphics are unique to this type of game and allow for more precise control of destruction. This works well for this type of game. On the other hand, it gives the game a retro pixel style that is very prevalent today.

The whole atmosphere of the game is fun. From the colorful Voxel graphics to the character and world design and sound, including voices, sound effects and music. The sound of the weapon closely mimics the crackling and crackling of Star Wars lightsabers. Clone Drone in Hyperdome is a fun and quick style of game to pick up and play. If you're looking for a colorful fun and combat game that's great for the whole family, this could be the game for you.

***Steam key provided by the game developer.***