Hyper Scape by Ubisoft is a new battle royale game. Since July 12, 2020, there has been an open beta, and anyone can play it on PC. But should you? How is Ubisoft’s new game being received so far, and what could come next?
What is Hyper Scape, anyway? In short, Hyper Scape is Ubisoft’s big attempt to establish itself in the “battle royale” genre. The game follows the typical BR formula, throwing 99 players onto a playing field – this time over a virtual, futuristic metropolis. In Hyper Scape, you play in pre-formed 3-player teams.
Once on the ground, you collect weapons as usual and shoot each other down. To keep the game from getting boring, the play area constantly shrinks. However, instead of a death zone that spreads in a circular manner, there is a random decay of the game world.
What are the unique features of Hyper Scape? Hyper Scape fully embraces interaction with the streaming service Twitch. You can easily broadcast your sessions, and the Twitch chat can regularly vote on events that happen in the game world. These include fun features like temporary low gravity.
Additionally, there are not just weapons but also abilities known as “hacks” in the game. These are not bound to the playable characters; they are purely cosmetic. Instead, you collect hacks in the game, allowing you to create walls, heal yourself, or set bombs, depending on the hack. If you collect additional versions of a weapon or a hack, they become better and stronger.
Also cool: you don’t necessarily have to eliminate all opponents. In the later phase of a round, a golden crown appears in the game. Whoever grabs it and holds it for 45 seconds also wins.
Reactions to the Open Beta of Hyper Scape
How was the beta of Hyper Scape received? The beta of Hyper Scape started immediately after the big Ubisoft Forward event on July 12, 2020. Anyone can participate for free and without a key by downloading the game via Uplay. The game had a strong start on Twitch, with nearly 200,000 viewers shortly after launch.
At the start of the technical test version, which was only available via Twitch drops, there were about 500,000 players. Players on Reddit praised Hyper Scape for its fast gameplay. However, some find the action too hectic, the time-to-kill too short, and the jumping too excessive.
In a large video by YouTuber WarOwl, he praises the fast gameplay and the arena shooter-inspired gunplay, among other things. He also finds it great that the game takes place in a city rather than the typical island found in the BR genre.
While WarOwl liked the game, the audience reactions were divided. One half loves the fast-paced gameplay, while the other hates it:
- Not so friendly Neighbour: I have no idea what is going on in this game. Players are flying around everywhere, lights and effects are everywhere, and weapons do no damage. Only the map design looks good.
- Master Shooter64: “It looks like an advanced version of Apex Legends. Even the UI is the same.”
- BPK Phoenix: “Damn, the game looks amazing! Reminds me of the old Quake with fast-paced action and arena-style shooting. This is a very refreshing gameplay style. Mixing something new with cool old game mechanics and doing it well.”
- TheRandomSpectator: “I played the technical test and hated it. Too hectic and chaotic, both in gameplay and visuals.”
- A Foi Production: “Finally, someone made a Quake battle royale!”
What’s next for Hyper Scape? In the future, Hyper Scape plans to introduce a feature that allows streamers to invite their viewers directly into a round on Twitch, without having to add them as friends via Uplay first.
Later in the year, the developers are also planning a release for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles. There will also be crossplay between the platforms.
In a Q&A session on Reddit, the developers also discussed the following ideas for the future:
- Additional game modes aside from battle royale
- More hacks and weapons, some were already added for the beta
- They might want to implement wall-running as an additional feature eventually
- The map will change season by season
- There will be a story surrounding the pre-made characters and the secrets of the virtual world
Is Hyper Scape worth it?
Who should play Hyper Scape? According to the feedback so far and the experiences of the MeinMMO team, Hyper Scape is a game designed for fans of fast-paced arena shooters. So if you love games like Quake and similar titles, you should have a lot of fun here.
In Hyper Scape, you run, glide, and jump around a colorful cyberpunk world like crazy. Opponents explode after just a few hits, and the dead can be revived. The hacks make everything even wilder and crazier.
It’s also worth mentioning that Hyper Scape is ideal for Twitch users. You can easily stream your gameplay, and your fans can engage with events in fun ways. So if you’ve always wanted to interact more with your viewers, this is the right game for you.
Additionally, Hyper Scape is free to play, and access is easy and without keys, Twitch drops, or invites.
Who is less the target audience for Hyper Scape? Players who prefer a more relaxed and tactical approach may find the wild action fireworks too much. The fast movement, which is an absolute must in the game, may not appeal to every type of player.
So if you enjoyed games like PUBG in the BR genre, then Hyper Scape is probably not for you. Luckily, we have a list of promising free-to-play games, among which you might find your new favorite game.
