Code RAPID screenshot
Image: HitBreak

As a lifelong fan of FromSoftware's classic Armored Core series of high-speed mech shooters, I am telling all fans of giant anime robots to try the demo for Code RAPID now, if not sooner. Coming from new indie outfit HitBreak, it takes the familiar formula of agile-yet-weighty giant robot combat (with the mechs taking a moment to get up to full speed but thundering through the sci-fi cityscapes once they get going) and puts a few exciting twists on it, resulting in a more arcadey, aggressive experience.

While obviously inspired by Armored Core, Code RAPID has a few key differences. Specifically, getting shot really hurts. You can only take a few solid hits before needing to use one of your precious few repair kits, meaning that your main method of defense is a snappy dodge-boost. If timed right, you'll get a satisfying flash of slow-mo and upgrade your boost to an acrobatic pirouette out of danger. On top of that, if you counterattack immediately, it'll upgrade your next shot to a more powerful Retaliation move, such as a heavy grenade shot, if you're rocking the default rifle.

From a brief trip through the demo, it feels like being aggressive, getting yourself into trouble, and then dancing and blasting your way out of it is at the heart of the game. On top of that, ammo isn't a concern - while your guns do need to pause to reload occasionally, your bullet reserves are unlimited, unlike Armored Core.

On top of being well polished, the demo is surprisingly beefy, featuring three missions (including boss fights) and full mech customization with a decent range of parts to collect and builds to experiment with. Even within the demo's confines, there's real replay value, as your loadout will radically alter the playstyle needed to succeed, and replaying missions for the money to buy and experiment with new gear is fun.

As shiny as the demo is, Code RAPID is still a long way from completion, with HitBreak turning to Kickstarter to fund the remainder of production, aiming for a respectable $280k to ensure that the game gets completed, and stretch goals all the way up to $900k to expand the scope of the project. If you want to put money down early, they're asking $25/£19 for a copy of the game as soon as it's ready, with a very tentative May 2028 release window.

In the meantime, you can wishlist the game and play the Code RAPID demo here on Steam.