If there’s one indie game that grabbed my attention during the Summer Games Fest, it’s Midnight Fight Express. This crazy-looking brawler is the work of solo developer, Jacob Dzwinel, who has tagged in talent from high profile hits such as God of War and Destiny 2.
Set in a city choking on the stench of crime and corruption, our enigmatic hero – Babyface – finds themselves being quizzed by cops as they probe the vigilante for details of their fistfighting escapades. We then cut to an apartment where they befriend a drone who acts as both their reconnaissance and tutor through those first levels of the demo.
Fierce, frenetic bouts of close quarters combat are this game’s bread and butter, each stage serving up a set menu of high octane brawls. Midnight Fight Express lays out some duelling basics before gradually layering on new moves and mechanics. Within a matter of minutes you’ll go from using Babyface’s first combo to mastering makeshift weapons and performing deadly finishers in a satisfyingly brutal ballet.
As more advanced enemies are thrown into the mix, you’ll need to change your tactics, learning to evade unblockable strikes and keeping an eye out for objects in your environment. See a thug about to draw a pistol? Why not launch a fire extinguisher at them for an instant KO?
Between stages you can spend money and skill points back at your hideout to unlock new moves and cosmetics for Babyface. There’s also a Playground mode where you can train in tailor-made arenas, with the option to enable endless waves of enemies. You’ll go from grasshopper to John Wick in no time, replaying levels to earn the highest scores possible.
Whether Midnight Fight Express has the chops to become the new must-play brawler hinges on its staying power. From the preview we played, there appears to be plenty of variety on show with an expansive skill tree and a rogue’s gallery of enemies to pummel. The game officially launches on August 23, 2022, and will be available on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. It will also be a day one release on Xbox Game Pass.
