Swords, guns, parkour! Could this be the next Devil May Cry successor?

Unfortunately, Bright Memory: Infinite will only be in your memory for T-minus two hours because not even Speedy Gonzales can outrun Sylvester faster than the credits roll in this game. It is hard to understand how Bright Memory’s Early Access on PC was just the prologue since Infinite barely feels like an extension of that version. Of course, being a short game isn't an inherent flaw, but it needs to deliver during its short running time. And on that, it largely fails.

One of the only saving graces for this ridiculously short game is its flashy combat which combines the slickness and fast-paced action of Devil May Cry with the light parkour elements that Mirror’s Edge is well known for. You can defeat enemies switching from gun to sword on the fly and keep the combat fresh by adding unique abilities to each weapon. In tandem with the gorgeous visuals sole developer Zeng Xiancheng made sure to include, the combat is a delight. However, it all gets bogged down with unnecessary skills that you will rarely see yourself using and the repetitiveness of the gameplay makes you question if an hour longer would have either been a curse or a blessing.

The two hour mark makes it perhaps a blessing when the story is almost non-existent and nonsensical. Taking place in the year 2036, you follow Sheila who is tasked by a military organisation known as Super Nature Research Organization or SRO to investigate a black hole that an enemy corporation is hell-bent to use for its own evil purposes. You get the occasional radio communication from your boss, but there is no other interaction other than taking direct orders, leaving a black hole as large as the one you are investigating in terms of character development for even the main protagonist.

While it's hard to be too critical, considering the entire project was developed by one person and a small staff, it's also hard to even call this a full game. It's a shame because its graphics rival tentpole AAA productions and there's clear passion to deliver a satisfying gameplay loop. But a lacklustre story and repetitive pacing coupled with unnecessary additions such as the skills make Bright Memory: Infinite an uneven and jarring experience. Perhaps in the near future, given a bigger budget, developer FYQD Studio could make a more fully realised version.