Set on a prison planet where death is described as just a temporary setback, KIBORG delivers a raw and chaotic mix of brawler-style action and roguelike structure. The game throws you into the shoes of a heavily augmented inmate fighting for freedom through waves of cybernetic enemies, promising a visceral combat loop paired with deep build variety. Developed and published by Sobaka Studio, it’s an ambitious take on the genre blend that works more often than not, but also comes with some noticeable bumps along the way.
KIBORG’s grim sci-fi premise is efficiently conveyed through stylized cutscenes and an oppressive industrial setting. The core hook – fighting for a place on a prison escape shuttle – is simple, but it serves as a good narrative backdrop to the game’s run-based format. While the story mostly takes a backseat to the gameplay, there’s enough environmental storytelling and character banter to give the experience some flavor, even if it doesn’t strive for narrative depth.
What keeps you coming back are the tight, aggressive combat mechanics. The game fluidly switches between ranged and melee encounters, and chaining attacks together is both satisfying and essential. The feel of the controls on PS5 is responsive, with a nice weight to movement and attacks that helps sell the impact of the violence. The auto-aim for ranged weapons is helpful, though it can feel a bit too sticky in tense situations. Still, combat is the star here, and it shines thanks to a wide arsenal of weapons and strategic variety offered by different enemy types.
A standout feature is the upgrade and build system. As you progress through each run, you can equip cybernetic enhancements and mutations that drastically affect how you play. Want to turn into a tank that self-heals? Or a glass cannon with teleporting punches? The game gives you the tools to experiment, and part of the fun comes from discovering unexpected synergies. That said, the variety can also be overwhelming early on, and a few systems could use more onboarding or clarity – especially for players new to roguelike mechanics, leading to a steep learning curve for some.
While the moment-to-moment gameplay is engaging, the level design doesn’t always keep pace. Many environments blend together visually, with layouts that feel too similar after several runs. This repetition slightly undercuts the otherwise strong combat pacing. Likewise, the enemy types, while initially diverse, start recycling a bit too soon, which can make some longer sessions feel less dynamic.
Visually, the game lands somewhere between gritty and comic book-inspired, with cel-shaded aesthetics that help sell its exaggerated violence. The PS5 version runs smoothly, and combat effects look great in motion, though some animations lack polish. Audio design is solid, with punchy weapon sounds and a soundtrack that matches the game’s intensity – though some tracks loop a bit too often during longer sessions.
KIBORG doesn’t reinvent the roguelike wheel, but its hybrid of genre mechanics and brutal combat carves out a distinct identity. It’s a game built around intensity and replayability, and while it could benefit from more environmental variety and deeper polish, it delivers a compelling loop for those looking for something that blends action, strategy, and cybernetic carnage. If you can push past its rougher edges, there’s a lot of fun to be had in fighting for your last ticket to freedom.
Score: 7.5/10
Press Play Media 