Highlights
Sprawl, an indie FPS from developer MAETH, fills the void left by the absence of a proper Titanfall sequel, capturing the feel of Titanfall 2's best moments.
Experience the game's fast-paced action and explore the sleek metropolis through its key wall-run mechanic, which encourages swift movement and seamless navigation. Sprawl's engaging gameplay, with its dynamic movement mechanics and intense combat encounters, promises a gratifying experience.
The announcement earlier this year that fans were on the verge of getting another Titanfall game, only for it to be canceled and transformed into the highly acclaimed Apex Legends, was a surprising revelation. Especially for those who consider Titanfall 2 to be the benchmark for single-player FPS campaigns. While this news is undoubtedly disappointing and leaves fans wondering about the possibilities of Titanfall 3, a smaller indie studio is stepping up to fill the void left by the absence of a proper sequel. Enter Sprawl, the new indie FPS developed by MAETH, which flawlessly satisfies the craving for more Titanfall.
Set in a cyberpunk dystopia heavily influenced by Ghost in the Shell, Sprawl joins the ever-expanding Movement Shooter subgenre of FPS games. Although it may not be technically classified as a Boomer Shooter, it undeniably embodies the essence of some of the genre's best examples. Beyond its genre characteristics and visually stunning aesthetics, Sprawl truly captures the essence of Titanfall 2's greatest moments, introducing a skillful wall-run mechanic that rewards players for using momentum and strategic positioning to their advantage in combat.
Sprawl Draws From Its Collective Influences to Become a Must-Play FPS
Sprawl's opening moments cleverly highlight the significance and usefulness of the wall-run mechanic, firmly establishing it as the protagonist's primary method of traversing and surviving in the game. With an intuitive control scheme that utilizes the shoulder buttons for jumping and allows for three consecutive jumps, players can quickly adapt to the system and effortlessly zip around Sprawl's dystopian cityscape. By the time the first mission introduces the shooting mechanics, players are already adept at navigating the game's movement.
While the influence of Titanfall shines through in the fluid movement and wall-running, Sprawl's gameplay is not solely reliant on Respawn's renowned first-person shooter. Drawing inspiration from Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, hitting enemies non-lethally in succession causes them to become stunned and enveloped in a glowing aura. This presents the perfect opportunity for players to swiftly engage in melee attacks, instantly dispatching foes and being rewarded with a vibrant array of health and ammunition pickups, reminiscent of confetti. Sprawl not only excels in its primary movement mechanic, but also delivers immensely satisfying push-forward combat.
Titanfall 2's movement is undeniably smoother than that of Sprawl. However, Sprawl surpasses its inspiration in terms of its thrilling sense of speed. Similar to other movement shooters like Ultrakill and Turbo Overkill, the protagonist's sheer speed and velocity when wall-running, jumping, and shooting can be exhilarating. To balance this intensity, Sprawl incorporates a bullet-time mechanic called Adrenaline. Defeating enemies rewards players with pick-ups that refill their Adrenaline meter, ensuring that players who efficiently take down foes always have a full meter to line up perfect headshots.
Drawing from various influences, Sprawl transcends its individual components to become something greater. The developers at MAETH clearly hold great respect for the genre's greatest games, and it shows in Sprawl's polished and precise gameplay. While there has been speculation about the possibility of Titanfall 3 in the future, there is currently no official confirmation of its development. In the meantime, games like Sprawl offer players the same thrilling momentum-based experiences found in the best moments of Titanfall 2 and Doom Eternal, serving as a reminder of why these franchises are so highly regarded.
Sprawl is available on PC.