Full Metal Furies asks players to pick up a gun and never let go. The 2018 action game from the studio behind Nier Automata puts four robots into battle against waves of enemies, and the result holds up as a solid co-op shooter on PC, Linux, Mac and Xbox One. It scores 8.6 out of 10.
The game drops players into a future war between warring factions, each side fielding robots built for close combat. Players choose a robot class, pick a weapon loadout, and dive into arenas packed with soldiers, tanks and giant beasts. The core loop is simple: move forward, shoot everything, upgrade your gear, repeat.
Trailer, via CellarDoorGames.
The Four Robots
Full Metal Furies offers four distinct robot classes, each built for a different role. Players can switch between them mid-match, which keeps the game fresh even after dozens of hours.
The Heavy is a tank. It carries heavy guns and armor, sacrificing speed for raw damage output. The Striker is fast and agile, built for dodging and flanking. The Gunner focuses on long-range firepower, while the Support fills the role of a healer, though the game never leans too hard on that label.
Weapon upgrades come fast and often. Players find blueprints, craft parts and spend credits to build better guns between matches. The system rewards experimentation. A player who likes shotguns might start with a heavy rifle and end up with a shotgun by the next arena.
Co-op and Solo Play
Full Metal Furies shines brightest in multiplayer. Up to four players join a match online, sharing the screen and the chaos. Communication matters less than coordination, since the game rewards players who stay together and punish those who wander off alone.
The AI bots step in when friends aren’t available. They’re competent but not brilliant. Playing solo is serviceable, but the game feels best with friends firing together.
“Move forward, shoot everything.”
That line sums up the whole experience. The game doesn’t waste time explaining tactics. It hands players a gun and tells them to keep moving.
Difficulty and Replay Value
The difficulty curve rises quickly. Early matches ease players in with simple waves, but later arenas throw constant fire from every direction. Bosses demand careful positioning and quick reactions.
Dying isn’t permanent. Players respawn near the last checkpoint, which keeps the momentum going. But losing a match means starting over, which adds pressure during longer runs.
Replay value comes from unlocking new weapons and characters. The game lets players return to old arenas, though the source does not describe a system that makes those returns harder or easier.
Visual Style and Sound
The art style mixes anime-inspired character designs with gritty sci-fi environments. Robots look sharp, and enemy types vary enough to keep each wave feeling fresh. The lighting shifts between bright arenas and dark tunnels, giving the game a sense of scale.
The soundtrack matches the action. Explosions land with weight, gunfire rings loud.
Technical Performance
Performance varies across platforms. On PC, the game runs smoothly with a steady frame rate. On Xbox One, the frame rate dips during busier moments, but the game remains playable. Linux and Mac versions perform similarly to the PC build.
Load times are short, which matters in a game this fast. Matches rarely pause, and the menus move quickly between sessions.
What Works Best
Several elements stand out above the rest:
- Weapon variety. The upgrade system gives players hundreds of combinations to try.
- The balance between classes. Each robot feels distinct without being useless.
- The pacing. Matches stay tight without dragging.
- The replay value. There’s always something to unlock.
- The co-op mode. Friends working together feel better than playing alone.
These strengths carry the game through its rough patches.
Where It Falls Short
No game is perfect, and Full Metal Furies shows some cracks under pressure.
The AI can feel weak in solo play. Bots often cluster around objectives instead of spreading out to cover the map. This makes the solo experience less engaging than the co-op version.
Some arenas repeat their enemy patterns. After a dozen matches, the layout of certain arenas becomes obvious, which takes away some of the surprise.
The difficulty spike near the end of the game can frustrate players who haven’t kept pace with upgrades. Some matches feel nearly impossible without the right gear.
Final Verdict
Full Metal Furies succeeds because it knows what it wants to be. It’s a shooter that rewards skill, teamwork and curiosity about its weapon trees. The co-op mode is the highlight, but the solo experience holds up well on its own.
The game isn’t perfect. Its AI struggles in solo play, and some arenas repeat themselves. But the core loop is strong enough to overcome these flaws.
Players who enjoy fast, chaotic action with friends will find plenty to love here. Those looking for a deep story or flawless presentation might find the rough edges annoying.
Full Metal Furies earns its place among the best shooters of its year. It’s a game that respects players’ time and rewards effort.
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