You know you’re in for a treat when the tutorial is shorter than the time it took to download the game. Haste: Broken Worlds claims the title of the quickest game I’ve sampled this year, with its demo springing into action within just 30 seconds.
The concept couldn’t be more straightforward: the world is disintegrating, and your survival depends on sheer speed. Haste doesn’t bog you down with lengthy explanations. Instead, it thrusts you right into the action, letting you step into the role of Zoe, a character with an uncanny ability to keep her eyewear intact while she deftly navigates treacherous slopes.
Sonic the Hedgehog better watch out, as Haste embodies the thrill of pure, seamless velocity. Once you get moving, it’s essentially a one-button game: your spacebar is your trusty tool for graceful landings and quick takeoffs. Nailing a perfect descent powers up a gauge that allows you to hop onto a hoverboard, handy for avoiding mishaps with rocks or escaping the looming threat of corruption chasing you. The only time you really hit the brakes is when you’re stopping by shops for upgrades or catching up with friends.
Haste presents a roguelike experience where selecting your path each time is part of the fun. After every finish line crossed, there’s a decision to make about your next destination. Some stages prompt you to dash through monochrome realms, painting them lively once more, while others have you dodging black holes as you race against time. As you journey through each level, trails of shimmering crystals mark your path. You can trade these in for upgrades at shops, which might provide minor advantages like increased speed or health. Some, however, can steer you down a specific route, such as health-restoring collectibles that entice you along certain paths.
The demo wraps up with a thrilling boss battle against a towering robot raining lava on the level. Here, maintaining speed is crucial to dodge the spreading lava, and you’ll be threading the needle to slam straight into the robot once the moment arises. It’s all about precision landings to keep your hoverboard charged and scooping up crystal clusters to replenish health, adding layers to the challenge.
Many games might stumble with a boss encounter requiring such multitasking, but Haste’s smooth mechanics ensure everything stays on track. Maneuvering through levels feels effortless, even during your less stellar moments, and it incentivizes bold strategies. When you’re in the zone, it’s akin to mastering a rhythm game where you’re nailing every beat. The only disruption is when it finally comes to a halt.
Developer Landfall—known for the quirky multiplayer horror game Content Warning—anticipates releasing Haste: Broken Worlds later this year.
