Kong: Survivor Instinct offers a fresh entry into the Monsterverse, blending platforming, survival elements, and environmental puzzles. Set shortly after the Godzilla vs. Kong film, the story places you in the shoes of David, an oil rig worker on a mission to rescue his daughter Stacy from a collapsing city. The narrative, though focused on the human struggle, weaves in familiar Monsterverse lore, with Titans wreaking havoc in the background and the return of eco-terrorist Alan Jonah, who leads a mercenary group known as the Hyenas. While the plot has its emotional stakes, some may find the connection between the human characters and the overwhelming threat of Titans a bit contrived, but developer 7Levels has managed to pull off an interesting take on the franchise.
The game’s 2.5D platforming mechanics are a major part of its core gameplay. Players will jump, climb, and run through debris-filled environments while solving puzzles along the way. There’s a Metroidvania-inspired approach to it that keeps exploration interesting, as many areas are initially inaccessible but open up later with new tools and abilities. The platforming sections work well enough, but they can feel a bit stiff, particularly during more demanding sequences where precision is key. Combat is similarly mixed – while the controls are responsive, the battles against mercenaries feel shallow at times, lacking the complexity seen in other 2.5D action games.
Kong: Survivor Instinct also offers a unique mechanic where players can use Monarch’s ORCA Σ device to influence the behavior of the Titans. This adds a tactical layer to the game as players can control these enormous beasts to clear paths or avoid danger. While this feature brings an extra dimension to the gameplay, it’s somewhat underutilized, making it feel like a missed opportunity to fully integrate the Titans into the action. There are moments of awe when Kong or other Titans make their presence known, but these instances sometimes feel more like gimmicks than fully interactive encounters.
Visually, Kong: Survivor Instinct makes good use of its 2.5D aesthetic, with detailed backgrounds that capture the chaos of a city ravaged by titans. The environments range from crumbling buildings to toxic wastelands, giving the game a consistent sense of danger with an impressive amount of detail. Despite the game’s visual flair, there are moments where the level design itself feels repetitive compared to titles like Deadlight, particularly during long stretches of platforming. Fortunately, the game’s sound design compensates for this, with the distant roars of Kong and the ominous presence of other Titans keeping the atmosphere tense throughout.
On the audio front, Kong: Survivor Instinct shines with a dramatic soundtrack that heightens the stakes of the game’s most intense moments. The voice acting, especially for the human characters, is well-executed, with the Hyenas and Alan Jonah standing out as convincing antagonists. The music and sound effects work in tandem to create an immersive atmosphere, making every roar of a Titan or crackling of a collapsing building feel weighty and impactful. However, the impressive audio doesn’t always match the intensity of the gameplay, especially during slower sections where the action tapers off.
Unfortunately, some pacing issues detract from the overall experience. There are moments when the story drags, particularly during the slower exploration sections where the urgency to find Stacy feels, strangely, diminished. This uneven pacing may leave some players disengaged, especially when the game’s quieter moments stretch out for too long. In conclusion, Kong: Survivor Instinct provides a solid, if not entirely groundbreaking, experience for fans of the Monsterverse. The combination of platforming, exploration, and Titan-influenced gameplay is unique, even if the execution isn’t flawless. The game’s strong audio-visual presentation and emotional narrative help elevate it, and fans of the franchise will enjoy it despite a few rough edges.
Score: 6.8/10
Press Play Media 