Ion Fury

Ion Fury is a prequel to Bombshell, set in a cyberpunk-infused North America where protagonist Shelly ‘Bombshell’ Harrison battles the cybernetic army of Dr. Jadus Heskel. Built on a modernized version of the classic Build engine, the game delivers a retro first-person shooter experience with high-resolution textures, environmental interactivity, and exploratory gameplay rewarding players with hidden secrets and power-ups. Shelly wields an arsenal including her signature tri-barreled revolver and homing bombs, blending old-school action with contemporary enhancements like autosaves.

Ion Fury: Review

Ion Fury, a 2019 first-person shooter developed by Voidpoint and published by 3D Realms, is a love letter to the golden age of cyberpunk shooters. The game is a prequel to the 2016 title Bombshell and runs on a modified version of the Build engine, making it one of the first commercial games in two decades to utilize this classic engine. Ion Fury stands out as a testament to the enduring appeal of retro gaming, offering a nostalgic yet fresh experience that captivates both old-school enthusiasts and modern gamers alike.

Development History & Context

Studio and Creators’ Vision

Voidpoint, a studio composed of passionate developers with a deep love for the Build engine, set out to create a game that would capture the essence of 90s shooters while incorporating modern sensibilities. The team’s vision was to build a game that felt authentic to the era, using the same tools and techniques that were available two decades ago. This commitment to authenticity is evident in every aspect of Ion Fury, from its visual style to its gameplay mechanics.

Technological Constraints

The Build engine, while iconic, comes with its own set of limitations. These constraints informed the game’s design, pushing the developers to innovate within a rigid framework. The engine’s lack of support for modern graphics APIs and multi-core processing meant that the team had to rely on their ingenuity to create a visually impressive and technically sound game. The result is a title that runs smoothly on hardware from the early 2000s, requiring only 100 MB of hard drive space—a stark contrast to the bloated modern games that demand gigabytes of storage.

Gaming Landscape

At the time of its release, the gaming landscape was dominated by high-budget, visually stunning titles that often prioritized spectacle over substance. Ion Fury, with its retro aesthetic and focus on pure gameplay, offered a refreshing alternative. The game’s success can be attributed to its ability to tap into the nostalgia of older gamers while also appealing to a new generation of players who appreciate the simplicity and challenge of classic shooters.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot

Ion Fury is set in the dystopian city of Neo D.C., where the player assumes the role of Shelly “Bombshell” Harrison, a bomb disposal expert aligned with the Global Defense Force (GDF). The story revolves around Dr. Jadus Heskel, a transhumanist cult leader who unleashes an army of cybernetically-enhanced soldiers on the city. Shelly’s mission is to fight through the cybernetic forces and stop Heskel’s nefarious plans.

Characters

Shelly “Bombshell” Harrison is the game’s protagonist, and her character is designed to be a modern take on the classic action hero. She is tough, resourceful, and armed with a arsenal of weapons that reflect her bomb disposal expertise. Dr. Jadus Heskel, the game’s antagonist, is a charismatic and menacing figure who serves as a formidable opponent for Shelly.

Dialogue

The game’s dialogue is filled with pop culture references and one-liners that pay homage to the 90s. Shelly’s quips and Heskel’s taunts are delivered with a sense of humor that is both nostalgic and contemporary. However, some of the lines can feel forced and out of place, detracting from the overall immersion.

Themes

Ion Fury explores themes of transhumanism, cyberpunk dystopia, and the struggle between humanity and technology. The game’s setting in Neo D.C. serves as a backdrop for these themes, with the city’s decaying infrastructure and corrupt authorities reflecting the darker aspects of human society.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loops

Ion Fury’s core gameplay loop revolves around exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving. The game encourages players to explore its environments, uncovering secrets and hidden areas that reward curiosity. Combat is fast-paced and challenging, requiring quick reflexes and strategic use of weapons. Puzzle-solving elements are integrated into the gameplay, often involving environmental interactions and the use of special abilities.

Combat

The game’s combat is a refined take on the classic Build engine shooters. Enemies are designed to be challenging, with a variety of attack patterns and behaviors that keep the player on their toes. The weapon set is diverse and well-balanced, with each weapon offering unique advantages and disadvantages. The Loverboy, Shelly’s signature three-barreled revolver, is particularly notable for its lock-on function, which makes it highly effective against fast-moving enemies.

Character Progression

Character progression in Ion Fury is minimal, focusing more on the acquisition of new weapons and abilities rather than traditional leveling systems. This approach keeps the gameplay fast-paced and action-oriented, without the distractions of complex progression mechanics.

UI

The user interface in Ion Fury is clean and intuitive, providing essential information without cluttering the screen. The health and armor bars are prominently displayed, and the weapon selection interface is easy to navigate. The map system is also well-implemented, allowing players to keep track of their progress and discover hidden areas.

Innovative or Flawed Systems

One of the game’s innovative features is its use of environmental interactions. Players can flush toilets, operate vending machines, and interact with various objects in the game world, adding a layer of immersion and realism. However, the game’s lack of a multiplayer mode is a notable omission, especially for a title that draws so heavily from the multiplayer-focused shooters of the 90s.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting

The game’s setting in Neo D.C. is a cyberpunk dystopia that serves as a fitting backdrop for the story. The city is filled with neon-lit streets, towering skyscrapers, and underground installations, creating a sense of depth and scale. The level design is particularly impressive, with sprawling environments that are both visually stunning and functionally sound.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere in Ion Fury is dark and gritty, reflecting the game’s cyberpunk themes. The use of neon lighting and shadowy environments creates a sense of danger and mystery, immersing the player in the game’s world.

Visual Direction

The game’s visual style is a throwback to the 90s, with pixelated graphics and a limited color palette. This retro aesthetic is complemented by high-resolution textures and modern lighting effects, creating a unique and appealing visual style. The game’s use of the Build engine is evident in its visual design, with a focus on 2.5D graphics and pre-rendered sprites.

Sound Design

The sound design in Ion Fury is top-notch, with a cyberpunk soundtrack composed of tracker music. The sound effects are crisp and immersive, adding to the game’s overall atmosphere. The voice acting is well-delivered, with Valerie Arem and Jon St. John providing memorable performances as Shelly and Heskel, respectively.

Reception & Legacy

Critical and Commercial Reception

Ion Fury received generally favorable reviews upon its release, with critics praising its retro aesthetic, challenging gameplay, and faithful recreation of the Build engine experience. The game’s Metacritic scores across different platforms reflect its critical acclaim, with the PC version receiving a score of 79/100. The game’s commercial success was also notable, with a dedicated fanbase that appreciated its nostalgic appeal and modern refinements.

Influence on Subsequent Games and the Industry

Ion Fury’s influence can be seen in the resurgence of retro-style shooters that followed its release. The game’s success demonstrated the enduring appeal of classic gameplay mechanics and visual styles, inspiring a new generation of developers to explore similar themes and aesthetics. The game’s legacy is further cemented by its expansion, Ion Fury: Aftershock, and its sequel, Phantom Fury, both of which build upon the original’s foundation and expand its universe.

Conclusion

Ion Fury is a triumph of retro gaming, offering a nostalgic yet fresh experience that captivates both old-school enthusiasts and modern gamers. Its faithful recreation of the Build engine experience, combined with its challenging gameplay and immersive world-building, makes it a standout title in the first-person shooter genre. The game’s legacy is secure, and its influence on subsequent titles is undeniable. For those seeking a pure, unadulterated shooter experience, Ion Fury is an essential addition to any gaming library.