There is always room for shooters in the video game space, but Kwalee and Funny Fintan Softworks are going the extra mile with what they describe as a “Y2K arena movement shooter” in Don’t Stop, Girlypop!, combining fast-paced gameplay with advanced movement for something different.
You’ll take on the role of Imber, a half-faerie half-something native of the planet Xyzanthynum. Their planet is being drained of The Love, a vital natural resource keeping the planet alive, by an evil mining company called Tigris Nix, and it’s time to fight back.
The idea is for players never to stop moving, and the combat preview certainly demonstrates just how crazy things can get. Shooting is fun, but combining it with movement and various combinations based on your kit should theoretically lead to even more ways to enjoy the process.
There is a strong emphasis on movement, where the faster the player moves around, the stronger their damage multiplier becomes. Naturally, there are options for the player to experiment with. The most effective movement strategy in the game’s current stage is called wave-hopping, and it takes advantage of the momentum created when the player slams, jumps, and dashes in rapid succession.
The weapons in Don’t Stop, Girlypop! also interact with each other in unique ways, such as the bubble gun and shotgun. The bubble gun is an interesting weapon for an FPS game. To deal damage, the player must use its alternate fire mode to shoot bubbles at the enemies, then detonate them with the primary fire, creating an explosion and dealing damage proportionate to the number of bubbles popped.
The shotgun has a standard primary fire, but its alternate fire is where its potential lies, as it creates a series of portals that multiply any projectiles they come into contact with. When combined with the bubble gun, the player can unleash masses of bubbles onto their enemies, then pop them to create an even more devastating explosion than typically possible.
The player is also armed with a sword that stuns or kills weakened enemies. Upon doing so, the player is rewarded with a speed boost and extra love points, another valuable resource capable of multiplying the player’s damage.
Don’t Stop, Girlypop! doesn’t have a set release date yet on Steam, but regardless, it’s a game that any arena or movement shooter fan should keep an eye on.
