Void/Breaker integrates its impressive destruction systems as a critical aspect of its roguelite design, offering visually spectacular ruin that directly impacts gameplay. Enemies caught beneath falling debris become staggered, presenting an opportunity for quick kills, a mechanic that extends to grenades and thrown explosives, creating a dynamic loop of shifting priorities. The game, reviewed on PC by Game Informer and scoring an 8.5 out of 10, is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
As players are thrust into the role of a runner escaping a simulation, a narrative reminiscent of Valve's Portal unfolds. An AI guides the player through various themed stages, from liminal spaces to natural landscapes, all designed to be destructible. Arenas often feature stark white structures that players can topple onto enemies, encouraging a "break stuff, then kill" approach. The gameplay loop involves scanning environments for explosives and breakable structures, then identifying staggered enemies for immediate elimination.
While the game emphasizes explosives and environmental destruction, firearms are the primary means of dispatch. Players select one weapon per run, choosing from a pistol, shotgun, machine gun, sniper, and more, each with its own strengths. However, the effectiveness of these weapons is largely dictated by the dozens of mods acquired during each run. These mods can alter weapon properties significantly, allowing for combinations that imbue firearms with corrosive acid, electricity, fire, and homing missiles. A mod-stacking mechanic that can double or triple effectiveness adds a layer of puzzle design to the shooter's core action.
Stubby Games fosters player expression by allowing for wild combinations of weapon mods and abilities. One described SMG build featured electric bullets, homing missiles, destructive orbs, and ricocheting projectiles, leading to such on-screen chaos that it reportedly crashed the player's PC. This emphasizes the game's commitment to enabling player-driven destruction, pushing systems to their limits.
However, boss fights are noted as a weaker point, with their simple bullet-hell arenas rarely posing a significant threat. More often, runs end due to players becoming disoriented in the chaotic environments, leading to accidental entrapment in debris or being overwhelmed by enemies. The sheer visual spectacle, while stunning, can sometimes obscure gameplay clarity during intense moments.
Interspersed between combat encounters are shops for mods, risk-reward obelisks, optional trials, and unique phenomena that offer brief respites. These elements provide welcome breaks from the intense shooter action, which is further amplified by relentless enemy pressure and the introduction of new enemy types across stages.
The game includes standard roguelite progression systems, such as trait upgrades between runs, research for new mod schematics, and the ability to purchase new weapons. Secrets and in-world lore can be discovered through computer terminals and intriguing dialogue from the AI partner. Void/Breaker's relatively short runtime of around 12 hours ensures the roguelite structure remains engaging without becoming repetitive. An expansive endgame with additional run modifications promises further chaotic challenges, encouraging repeated playthroughs.