Mycopunk Review: It's Deep Rock Galactic With a Fungal Infection

There's a complex science to differentiating between first-person shooter games, and yet, when a new experience resists being cleanly categorized, it's all the more thrilling.

Mycopunk, developed by Pigeons at Play, is a game that defies easy categorization. It's clear that the team was inspired by Deep Rock Galactic, but instead of simply copying its formula, they've woven in elements from other FPS subgenres to create something unique and captivating.

A Grab Bag of Mechanics

You're dropping onto the surface of a dangerous planet to solve a megacorporation's problems, air out hordes of enemies, collect some shiny loot, and extract with your friends. But Mycopunk is also a grab bag of mechanics from FPS subgenres across the spectrum.

It combines team-based hero abilities, dynamic movement mechanics, and impactful gunplay with classic co-op horde shooter action to great effect. Whether you're familiar with Deep Rock Galactic or not, Mycopunk has something for everyone.

A Colorful World

Mycopunk is popping with color no matter where you land on New Atlas, the planet that's been taken over by a mysterious fungal growth.

The pseudo-cel-shaded locales are visually reminiscent of Borderlands in all the best ways. You'll want to swap between classes on the fly to adapt to the tasks and parameters of the mission you've picked.

Distinct Abilities and Personalities

Every class brings distinct abilities (and personalities) to the battlefield, making every encounter feel unique.

The Wrangler is a washed-up cowboy bot with a jump dash and a lasso, which can be used to yank in enemies or grapple out of danger. The Bruiser is an ex-security bot who loves gambling and tanking damage for the team, using his hefty frame to dish out melee retaliation.

Modular Destruction

The fungal contagion is no joke: Every piece of electronic equipment on New Atlas has been taken over by sentient spores.

This means that lasers and railguns that used to protect the Saxon Corporation's assets are now wielded against you. Enemies scuttle toward you with spindly purple fungal legs, stabbing away with wild abandon once they close the distance.

Adaptive Enemy AI

Enemies can carry bombs that hurt you and health packs that heal you... or sometimes even both at the same time.

The enemy AI feels adaptive to evolving combat scenarios, which is impressive for a game of this scope and size. Each enemy will keep their distance from you or press the attack depending on the weapons and tools they've attached to their cores.

A Calculus of Destruction

Part of what makes the game feel so rewarding is that there's no universally correct answer. You'll have to adapt your destruction to the threats on the field, picking which enemy modules to focus fire on.

Customization and Perks

Mycopunk has tons of customization options for you to dive into.

Weapon attachments are found in the field, switching up how your guns and grenades operate. Unlocking new modifications for your classes and weapons requires skill points and planetary resources, which you'll earn by leveling up and interacting with local fauna and caches scattered around New Atlas.

A Polished Experience

Mycopunk feels like the first game that does this particular brand of horde shooting at the same level of quality as Deep Rock Galactic.

At its worst, the game might feel a little unpolished and frustrating, but these hiccups are minor and won't detract from your overall experience. At its best, Mycopunk is greater than the sum of its parts.

A Game That Pulls from Many Subgenres

Mycopunk pulls from so many different shooter subgenres with confidence and competence, and none of its myriad systems feel like a fumbled execution.

It's a game that's dominated by the rule of cool – you use funky guns to take down insurmountable odds, and sometimes you can even call down a race car just for fun.

A Must-Play for FPS Fans

Mycopunk's Early Access release is available for PC on Steam now.

If you're a fan of first-person shooters, or if you're just looking for something new and exciting, Mycopunk is definitely worth checking out.