Ion Fury is a first-person shooter that revives the classic Build Engine style of the 1990s with modern touches. Players control Shelly Harrison, known as Bombshell, as she battles through a cyberpunk setting against a transhumanist threat. The game emphasizes fast movement, precise shooting, and exploration across large hand-crafted environments without any procedural generation.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around run-and-gun combat in expansive, multi-path levels. Health does not regenerate, so players must manage resources carefully while pushing forward through intense encounters. Locational damage plays a key role, with headshots delivering extra impact and enemies reacting to hits in different body areas. Physics allow for interactive elements like objects that can be knocked around during fights.
Levels feature numerous secret areas, verticality for ducking, jumping, climbing, and swimming, plus seamless transitions between sections. The world uses over 10,000 hand-crafted textures and sprites for a detailed retro-futuristic look. A tracked module soundtrack in authentic .XM format drives the action with energetic beats.
Combat feels responsive with support for widescreen displays and controllers. Auto saves help maintain flow without mandatory checkpoints. The game includes a level editor and full source code access for those interested in modding or creating content.
Game Modes
Ion Fury focuses entirely on single-player experiences. The main campaign takes players through seven zones filled with combat, exploration, and set pieces. Aftershock expands this with a full second campaign of new levels alongside reworked versions of original maps.
Arrange Mode remixes the original campaign by integrating new enemies, items, and weapons from the expansion while altering map progression, item placement, and enemy placements for a fresh run. Difficulty options range from standard to more punishing settings like Ultra Viscera and Maximum Fury, with Angel of Death available when Aftershock is installed for an even tougher challenge.
Weapons and Arsenal
The arsenal centers on versatile firearms with alternate fire modes and multiple ammo types. Shelly's signature tri-barreled revolver, the Loverboy, supports single shots or rapid hammer fanning. Other options include grenade launchers that can fire buckshot and heat-seeking smart bombs for area control. Bowling Bombs provide a unique explosive option that rolls and damages groups of foes effectively.
Players switch between these tools to handle different enemy types and situations, encouraging experimentation rather than relying on a single favorite weapon. Ammo management adds another layer to the resource-focused gameplay.
Level Design and Atmosphere
Every level is manually built with multiple routes, hidden paths, and complex set pieces that reward thorough exploration. The design avoids linear shooting galleries in favor of interconnected spaces where players can backtrack or find shortcuts. Visuals and effects emphasize destruction, with explosions and debris enhancing the sense of chaos.
The cyberpunk setting mixes futuristic elements with gritty urban environments, populated by cybernetic enemies that require varied tactics to defeat. This structure supports long play sessions focused on mastery and discovery.
Is It Worth Playing?
Ion Fury delivers a pure single-player first-person shooter experience rooted in classic mechanics updated with features like locational damage and improved physics. Steam user reviews rate it Very Positive overall, reflecting strong appreciation among fans of retro-style shooters. Critic scores on Metacritic sit in the generally favorable range.
It suits players who enjoy hand-crafted levels, weapon variety, and challenging combat without modern conveniences like regenerating health. Those seeking a complete package benefit from the base game plus Aftershock for the full campaigns and Arrange Mode. The title remains available on PC with ongoing community interest in its editor tools, making it a solid choice for anyone drawn to old-school action with contemporary polish.
