Lia: Hacking Destiny Review
2D roguelite Lia: Hacking Destiny doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but is a polished, fun experience.
Lia: Hacking Destiny: Credit: Orube Game Studio / GoGo Games Interactive
Orube Game Studio and GoGo Games Interactive have created a 2D platformer roguelite that won't revolutionize the genre but executes its formula with enough personality to stand out. Lia: Hacking Destiny succeeds through sharp presentation, genuine humor, and satisfying gameplay mechanics.
Evil robots have taken over Earth after humanity fled the planet on corporate-sponsored spaceships. Unfortunately, Lia and other scattered humans were left behind because there weren’t enough ships. With a ragtag group of survivors, she finds out there may actually be more ships. Lia sets out to infiltrate robot-run facilities with randomized layouts, battling uniquely themed mechanized enemies while hunting for massive bosses that hold components key to getting off-world.
Lia: Hacking Destiny: Credit: Orube Game Studio / GoGo Games Interactive
Movement is quick and precise, with a double jump and a wall jump that make zipping around rooms fun. Combat revolves around short-range and long-range attacks, both of which change based on the weapons you equip in each slot. The arsenal varies wildly, enabling different playstyles, though balance issues meant I stuck with favorite combinations once discovered. Completing rooms rewards weapons, currency, keys, and other roguelite staples.
Lia: Hacking Destiny: Credit: Orube Game Studio / GoGo Games Interactive
Difficulty quickly escalates between each facility. After toppling one of the giant bosses, be prepared to feel like a weakling against the next area’s robots that are suddenly damage sponges. Still, the game never felt like a grind thanks to the well-paced metaprogression and skill-based survival. Patience and risk avoidance become the keys to success.
Lia: Hacking Destiny: Credit: Orube Game Studio / GoGo Games Interactive
Security cameras add tactical tension. If the cameras spot you, the threat level rises, and you risk inconvenient penalties. Level 1 spawns hazards, Level 2 increases enemy numbers, and Level 3 sends a Sentinel to hunt you down. Avoiding the cameras’ gaze is easy as long as you have patience. You can always reduce the threat level by finding a security terminal and successfully completing its funny captchas.
Occasionally, you find a cat room, where you must deal with a gauntlet of enemies to save a trapped feline. One of my favorite bits of the game’s story is that the robots have enslaved cats in a plot to monetize hypnotic cat videos. The cats are trapped in a camera booth with a mic. It’s both hilarious and adorable.
Lia: Hacking Destiny: Credit: Orube Game Studio / GoGo Games Interactive
Between runs, Lia returns to her home base, where her compatriots in the resistance provide upgrades. You can boost stats, upgrade and equip accessories that grant perks, and buy levels in skill trees. Cats you’ve rescued on your travels gift you bonus goodies.
The vibrant, colorful pixel art graphics complement the game’s humor and vibe. Small sprites allow for a wide field of view; this is crucial to the game’s speed of movement and combat. Depth is limited, though parallax effects help. The levels' tiled art is fine, but the real standout is the enemy and boss design. Each level’s bots are uniquely themed for visual and gameplay variety, and the giant bosses prove inventive and often funny.
Lia: Hacking Destiny: Credit: Orube Game Studio / GoGo Games Interactive
Lia: Hacking Destiny is a fun, action-packed 2D roguelite experience. I lost track of time as I threw myself against the robots again and again. If you’re a fan of the genre, don’t skip this polished adventure.
Lia: Hacking Destiny is available now on Steam, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
Overall Score: 7/10
Played on: Steam Deck
