ULTRAKILL is a fast-paced ultraviolent retro FPS combining the skill-based style scoring from character action games with unadulterated carnage inspired by the best shooters of the '90s. Rip apart your foes with varied destructive weapons and shower in their blood to regain your health.
Players can rapidly dash, double jump, wall jump, and even perform advanced techniques like bunny hopping to maintain high speeds and evade enemies. The game's responsive and fluid movement system allows players to constantly be on the move, which is essential for avoiding attacks and positioning themselves effectively.
The game features a diverse arsenal of weapons, each with unique alternate fire modes that offer different strategic options. Players can carry multiple weapons at once and seamlessly swap between them, enabling creative and stylish combat. For instance, players can "punch" their own shotgun shells to accelerate them, showcasing the depth of the game's weapon mechanics.
The combat revolves around a "style" scoring system that rewards players for executing complex and creative maneuvers. Performing actions like parrying enemy projectiles, chaining together weapon swaps, and taking down enemies with flair all contribute to building up the player's style meter. Achieving higher style ranks unlocks new weapon variants and upgrades, incentivizing players to continually improve their skills.
Enemies move quickly and attack relentlessly, requiring players to stay on their toes and utilize all of their movement and weapon options to overcome them. The game also features a series of intense boss battles that test the player's mastery of the game's systems, such as the formidable Sisyphus, who teleports around the arena and unleashes unending combo attacks.
The game's diverse levels, weapons, and enemy encounters encourage players to experiment with different strategies and playstyles. Exploring the environments to uncover hidden secrets and achieving high scores on each level provide a sense of ongoing challenge and replayability. The "Cybergrind" mode in particular offers an endless, high-intensity arena for players to push their skills to the limit.
The developer, Hakita, has been praised for their active engagement with the game's community, incorporating player feedback and ideas into the ongoing development of the game. This collaborative approach has helped shape the game's evolution and solidify its reputation among its dedicated playerbase.