8Bit/Digi

First-person shooters today are either Call of Duty, military sims, or old-school-inspired works. Bright Memory: Infinite breaks from these trends as it’s a shooter that is more like Crysis. No, I don’t mean it’s graphically powerful that you need a supercomputer to play it. I’m referring to the plot along with the gameplay elements (the game is still visually stunning). 

Bright Memory: Infinite is a fast-paced shooter that was clearly influenced by the iconic series. It makes no effort to hide this and wears it like a badge of honor. In so many ways, it also stands out as its own unique experience. From its setting to the characters and gameplay, it hits all the right marks when it comes to being an intense first-person shooter. 

Hello Agent Shelia 

Set in 2036; a strange phenomenon has been taking place around the world. There is no explanation and rouge factions seek to harness its power for their own nefarious goal. In response, the Supernatural Science Research Organization (SRO) deploys its agents to investigate these phenomena and stop those who seek to use it for evil. Players take on the role of Agent Shelia who is dispatched to investigate one such phenomenon. She is soon forced to fight ancient demons coming from a black hole along with a shadow military force.

From a narrative perspective, it hits all the right marks when it comes to B-film quality. That is ok because that is what you want from a game like this. I don’t want to have my emotions played, I just want to go in blasting demons and mercenaries. To the narratives credit, Agent Shelia is a well-written character who is also a total badass who you will enjoy playing as.

Prepare for Deployment 

Bright Memory: Infinite is a standard first-person shooter with some minor tweaks. Combat is simple as you shot your way through waves of enemy soldiers and demons from another world. Your arsenal includes a standard assault rifle, shotgun, pistol, and more. If you need more firepower, just change the standard ammo for special ammo (depending on the weapon). Besides shooting your way through each stage, players will also be equipped with a power blade. With it, they can perform special kills or unique attacks (especially against certain enemies and bosses).

Players will also be going wearing the SRO special combat attire, which gives them special abilities. These abilities include enhancing your weapons (both guns and the power blade) or using energy-based attacks to cripple your foes. Your abilities will grow strong as you progress through the main story. Just don’t forget to upgrade them or you will be at a disadvantage. It also allows players to easily traverse the map and overcome the many obstacles presented.

The combat finds a balance between being simple but also requiring players to use everything in the arsenal. It’s not all running around and going “pew pew pew”. The game wants players to use their many skills and abilities to defeat certain foes. These could be either heavy grunts, stronger troops, or bosses. It also makes the combat more fun and keeps the excitement from losing its appeal.

Overall the gameplay is easy to learn while the combat is fast-paced and intense in all the right ways.

Disruption in the Field

I admire how Bright Memory: Infinite attempts to not be simple and does it right, it fumbles a few times. This is referring to the stealth-only parts of the game that is executed poorly. The game was made as a shooter first and foremost, stealth was never really an option. Yet you will need to sneak around a stage and avoid detection. It’s annoying and its only redeeming aspect is getting caught does not result in a “Game Over”. 

Explore the Phenomenon

In the past, I’ve said that sometimes a shooter just needs to be simple. Bright Memory: Infinite is not a complex or thought-provoking shooter but calling it simple is insulting. It knows what the player wants and it doesn’t waste their time with unnecessary exposition. It also doesn’t make it easy and wants the player to get creative in the heat of the moment. 

Bright Memory: Infinite is a fast-paced shooter that knows all too well what the player wants. The combat is fast paced and never stops while the gameplay is easy to learn. Overall, if you enjoyed the Crysis series back in the day then you will enjoy stepping into the shoes of Agent Shelia.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt then check it out on OpenCritic.

Disclaimer: Stride PR provided the game used for this review.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides an insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Bright Memory: Infinite (PC)

10

Masterpiece

10.0/10

Pros

• Excellent B-film quality story.
• Gameplay requires you to explore the many combat options available.
• The gameplay is easy to learn while the combat is fast-paced.

Cons

• Unnecessary and poorly crafted stealth mission.