03/19/2023 at 08:45 by Jonathan Harsch – The new Steam title Hellscreen has an absolutely simple pitch: first-person shooter with a rear-view mirror. According to the first reports, the gameplay feature is not a gimmick, but a game changer for the genre.
At first glance, Hellscreen looks like a budget Doom clone. But then you notice that there is a car-like rear-view mirror at the top center of the screen. This second view seems a bit like a gimmick to set you apart from the competition. In fact, this gameplay feature could revolutionize the FPS genre. Because what’s the biggest problem with first-person shooters, especially when they focus on fast-paced action? It takes way too long to turn 180 degrees. Brightscreen fixes this problem.
Hellscreen is a first-person shooter with a rear-view mirror
Early play reports of the Early Access version on Steam confirm that the second screen is more than just a nice touch. One reason for this is that in Hellscreen, players can not only shoot forwards, but also (with a right-click) backwards. Hitting enemies in the rearview mirror multiplies the damage dealt fourfold. In addition, some enemies and items can only be seen in the rear view. So the game actively encourages you to use the Mirror of Hell as often as possible. So the gaming behavior in first-person shooters has to be completely rethought.
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Fortunately, the rest of the game seems to be convincing as well. The relatively open levels have barriers that can be removed by collecting certain items – just old-school. Some doors can also only be opened with specific weapons, which gives the game a little Metroid flair. Currently, however, only the first episode of Hellscreen is available, which can be completed in under two hours. But if you like classic first-person shooters with a twist, you should still access Steam for 17.49 euros.
What: PC Gamer
