It can be quite hard to stand out in the world of video games nowadays. There are so many choices for players to choose from, but it is always much more likelier to catch the eye if there is an interesting combination that ignites the imagination. Teaming up with publisher Dreamhaven, FuzzyBot seems to have just that in Lynked: Banner of the Spark at this early stage.
Once again, we find ourselves in the future with the world on the line. The evil Combot overlords continue to wage war against nature, but with the help of robot allies, players will lead a resistance against the enemy and fight either solo or with up to three players.
At first glance, the art style of Lynked: Banner of the Spark already does a great job of bringing the world to life. The conflict between humans and automatons occurs in a colourful and beautiful world, and the two currently available biomes hint at the potential of the art direction. Visual effects are also a treat to watch, keeping you invested in all of the action.
Speaking of action, the game’s roguelite nature works quite well in keeping players engaged from chapter to chapter and mission to mission. Randomised arenas and enemy compositions mean you must always be at the top of your game. And with 10 different weapons to unlock, upgrade, and master, this variety of melee and ranged options helps create an insatiable appetite for just one more run. Not to mention the clever grappling hook called the Wyre, which can be used on both environments and enemies making movement even more swift and enjoyable.
The way the game incentivises keeping up a combo for additional rewards pushes players to move fast and hit hard, and the balance is quite good presently. Each weapon handles differently with unique normal and charged attacks, and who doesn’t want to use a hoverboard or guitar to attack your enemies? The Wyre can also be customised with different skills to make manoeuvring around the arenas a more skillful and deliberate affair, adding more tools to your arsenal. It won’t be a surprise to see how the more adept players can make use of the systems to do perfect runs, but even for the relative newcomer, the combat is simply entertaining.
Beyond the fisticuffs, Lynked: Banner of the Spark also throws in a base-building mechanic for good measure, adding another layer of progression to the proceedings. Completing chapters will allow you to rescue other robot allies, unlocking their functions and required buildings. This will give access to all sorts of functions, and the bottom line is that you are always rewarded for your effort. These allies even have their personal requests to fulfil, so for the completionists out there who want to see everything, it’s time to get busy as your town gets bigger and bigger, and the requirements for more stuff gets even more demanding.
There may be a little of Hades here and there, and even some elements of Animal Crossing with the resource gathering and town-building portions of the game, but Lynked: Banner of the Spark does so with its own flair and flavour. The game’s loop is inherently fun, and new things are always getting spotlighted as you progress. However, while you can play it solo, there is no doubt that the enjoyment increases even more with two other friends along for the ride, especially as difficulty gets scaled up. The 2025 release is definitely something we will be looking forward to with glee and anticipation.
Lynked: Banner of the Spark is out now in Steam Early Access.
