Summary
Free Lives and Devolver Digital have teamed up once again to deliver another promising indie title, this time in the hilariously over-the-top and franticAnger Foot. While the visual style ofAnger Foothas undergone plenty of revision and polish in the 4 years since its initial conceptualization, the core gameplay loop that Free Lives envisioned back in 2020 remains largely intact. The closest comparison one could make toAnger Footwould be imaginingHotline Miamiin first-person, but the similarities between the two extend far beyond their setting and style.Anger Foot’s gameplay sees players entering the sought-after “flow state” achieved by the perfect storm between gameplay, audio, and visuals.
Similar toHotline Miami,Anger Foot’s loud electronic soundtrack provides a heart-pulsing backdrop to the frantic action on screen. In that sense, when players find themselves getting into the “zone” inAnger Foot, it’s entirely possible to get lost in the game’s audio design and feel the brain go into autopilot as the beat of the music takes over. Finding the ideal ground between speed and simplicity and a satisfying gameplay loop is something thatFree Livesheld as a goal throughoutAnger Foot’s development, and the result is thatAnger Footcreates the ideal conditions for players to achieve a “flow state”, even if they’re not particularly skilled at the game. Free Lives discussed this Flow State in an interview with Game Rant, as well as the game’s search for the right level of simplicity for its gameplay loop.
Finding the Right Level of Simplicity Was Key for Anger Foot’s Designers
Anger Foot’s origins date back to a 2020 itch.io game jam in which the members from Free Lives that would eventually form the core of the game’s development team jammed on the game and came up with the initial concept over the course of a week. Speaking to Game Rant recently aboutAnger Foot’s development journeyand what’s changed in the last 4 years since the game’s initial prototype, designer Robbie Fraser was quick to point out that one of the developer’s goals was maintaining the original, simplistic idea behind the game.
That early jam version kind of had most of the DNA of what it is now. You know, it had the game loop, it had the kind of hard bass music, it had this sort of basic footprint for the levels, and we kind of just grew it from there without trying to change it too much
In an effort to keep things both simple and silly, much of the time leading towardAnger Foot’s releasewas put toward polishing what was already there while only adding things that enhanced the speed and satisfaction of the core gameplay loop. As Fraser notes, the team spent most of their time " just making the game bigger and kind of more ridiculous without trying to make it deeper and more complicated."
And whileAnger Foot’s lead artist and co-designer Luc Wolthers joked that the “brain-emptying flow state is something that the team has been in for the entire period of development”, Fraser was again quick to note that players achieving a sense of zen-like autopilot while playingAnger Footis absolutely intentional.
…it’s likeJohn Wick, you just fire six bullets and shoot six guys and you’re like “What even happened? I killed 10 people in that room.” Then it calms down and it all happens again at the next door and you just keep going…you die a lot…but when you do get it right, you feel like you just blitzed through this whole level in five seconds and you’re some kind of unstoppable force
But thanks toAnger Foot’stough-yet-fair challenge(as well as several bonus objectives in each level that players can chase down), one of the team’s major concerns was making sure thatAnger Footwould cater to players of all skill levels and not wall off that “flow state” feeling to less-skilled players. As designer Jem Smith notes, “we really didn’t want to convey to people that they have to be really good at this game in order to enjoy it. I hope we’ve done that.”
Anger Foot
WHERE TO PLAY
Anger Foot is a lightning fast hard bass blast of kicking doors and kicking ass. Crash through the caffeine-fuelled fever dream of Shit City, putting the boot to a menacing menagerie of merciless gangsters.Unleash the world’s deadliest feet on a colourful cast of anthropomorphic enemies. Clearing out slums, sewers, and skyscrapers as you grab new weapons, unlock new sneakers, and upgrade your powers in absurd and wonderful ways. Kick and shoot your way to the exit as you leave behind a smouldering trail of shattered doors, broken bones, and crumpled energy drinks.Fast-Paced Ass Kicking Action: Shit City is a disease and your foot is the cure. Lace up a capricious collection of formidable footwear to fight through a diverse series of deranged city districts.Vibrant Visuals, Relentless Beats: Enjoy a concussive, bass-thumping soundtrack as you stampede through a feverish criminal underworld. An assault on all your senses. Including common sense.Run. Kick. Repeat: Are you the god of style, speed or power? Discover secrets and unlocks that encourage replayability - and learn to tackle levels in new creative, ridiculous and devastating ways.Master The Foot: Become one with the toes and be quick on the trigger. Your skills must surpass human comprehension if you are to prevail and learn the secret of the Anger Foot.
