Bright Memory Infinite Review – A Metal Experience Let Down By Its Brevity

thegamer.com:

Bright Memory Infinite has so many moments that had me thinking, ‘what in the hell is going on?’ but this was never an unpleasant sensation. Far from it, I found the frenetic pace and larger-than-life action quite enjoyable. It has the same thrilling sense of possibility and what’s-going-to-happen-next uncertainty as the iconic action thrillers that was the staple of the likes of Keeanu Reeves, Nic Cage, and Steven Seagal in the 1990s.

You play as Shelia, an agent tasked with stopping a paramilitary organisation when a black hole appears in the sky and ancient Chinese mythical beings and soldiers begin entering our realm. The game takes place across the riverine landscape of southern China, with its charismatic karst and pagodas. I found it very refreshing to see this futuristic vision of China realised, as the story has sci-fi elements, while legendary beasts and demons from the country’s folklore try to murder you. Thankfully, Shelia has quite a few weapons at her disposal to tear them to pieces and defend herself.

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Combat harkens back to any number of titles. It feels like a mixture of Advanced Warfare’s boost movement and Ghostrunner’s parkour, sliced with the combat and soul-collecting of Onimusha but all in first person. You can shoot through enemies with several different guns, all of which are satisfying to use, and their alternate ammo, you can slice and dice with a sword, or you can use your Exo Unit which can pull enemies towards you and explode their bodies into a bloody mess. Yes, it’s as wonderful as it sounds.

Bright Memory Infinite gleefully takes its inspirations from all over the place, like the proverbial kid in a candy store,