Hypercharge: Unboxed [PlayStation 5] | REVIEW

After spending years winning over players on other platforms, Hypercharge: Unboxed has finally arrived on PlayStation. This indie title from the team at Digital Cybercherries offers something distinctly different from the usual gritty realism you’d expect from a shooter: it’s a nostalgia-fuelled, plastic-powered battlefield where action figures come to life in chaotic, colourful combat. Its charm, creativity, and pure fun factor make it a worthy pick-up for gamers ready to relive childhood playroom warfare, with it easily standing-out as a must-play multiplayer romp.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Hypercharge: Unboxed drops you into the pint-sized boots of a toy soldier, battling waves of enemies across familiar, oversized environments – think bedrooms, garages, and bathrooms turned into sprawling warzones. Obviously, they’re completely different types of games, but it reminded be a lot of Micro Machines, which is ALWAYS a vibe that’s easy to appreciate. Its visual concept is simple but effective: you’re not a hero battling against vicious enemies, but a collectible action figure, fresh out of the box, defending a power core (known as the ‘Hypercore’) from legions of evil toys. Come on… the concept is perfect, right?

The game cleverly capitalizes on toy-based nostalgia, borrowing vibes from the likes of Small Soldiers, Toy Story, and the Saturday morning cartoons of the 80s and 90s. The design leans heavily into those influences with bright, saturated visuals, pun-filled dialogue, and a tongue-in-cheek tone that never takes itself too seriously. As someone who appreciated all of these things when younger, it kept a big smile on my face when playing, with this unique sense of charm easily standing out as one of the game’s greatest strengths… I loved it.

At its core, Hypercharge: Unboxed blends first and third-person shooting with tower defence mechanics. Before each wave of enemies, players place traps, build Lego-style barricades, and collect resources to reinforce their positions, and once the action kicks off, it’s fast, frantic, and surprisingly tight in terms of the shooting mechanics. Whether you’re wielding rifles, flamethrowers, or grenade launchers, every weapon packs a satisfying punch that belies their plastic origins, with the chaos on the battlefield making for plenty of brilliant scenarios in-game.

Switching between first and third-person perspectives adds versatility, especially in tight spaces where spatial awareness is key. There’s a surprising amount of depth to be found in Hypercharge: Unboxed, and whilst it’s toy-based premise might seem light-hearted, showdowns with enemies can be tense and strategic. Fortunately, the controls feel smooth and responsive, the UI is clean, the tutorial is accessible, and load times are short – something that’s expected on the PlayStation 5 but always appreciated.

“Hypercharge: Unboxed is a joyful, colourful, and creative shooter that knows exactly what it is, and absolutely nails the execution.”

What really helps the gameplay shine is the verticality and exploration within each map. Levels are filled with hidden collectibles, platforming challenges, and weapon upgrades tucked away in hard-to-reach spots, with a real adventurous spirit to be found across the gunplay. It took me back to being a child, where I’d create battlefields for my action figures and see them fight across it, and honestly, it brought back feelings of joy that I haven’t felt for years. Yeah, it’s a bit cheesy, but that’s the kind of effect that I can see Hypercharge: Unboxed having on a lot of players.

Though it lacks a cinematic single-player story, Hypercharge: Unboxed offers a campaign made up of tower-defence missions that can be tackled solo or in co-op. It’s light on narrative but high on replayability, especially with friends where you’ll need real co-ordination to defend multiple objectives, fight off varied enemy types, and manage resources mid-battle. It’s a fun addition, and whilst it’s clear that multiplayer is the focus of the experience, it’s nice that there’s something dedicated on offer for those who do prefer to play solo.

But of course, multiplayer is where Hypercharge: Unboxed truly excels. The game features several PvP and PvE modes, including Team Deathmatch, Capture the Battery, and Infestation, and whether you’re fighting bots or squadding up online (with split-screen and cross-play support), there’s plenty of content to sink into. Playing with others, especially in couch co-op, brings out the game’s chaotic charm in the best and most fitting way, mirroring the experiences that you might’ve shared with friends in your younger years… it’s good stuff.

It’s worth noting that online balance may be a concern for some players though. Spawn camping and skill disparities, especially with cross-play enabled, can sour competitive matches, and I’ve quickly found myself getting absolutely pummelled during my early hours of online play (it’s not a skill issue, I promise). Offline play against bots offers a solid alternative, but for those who want to make the most of the game in multiplayer, you can expect a bit of a difficulty curve.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Visually, Hypercharge: Unboxed impresses with a vibrant, toy-like art style that looks great on the PlayStation 5. The environmental design deserves special mention: from cluttered bedrooms to neon-lit toy stores, each level is packed with personality and nostalgic detail, and believe me, you’ll never mistake this game for anything else in the genre. The sound design is great too, with explosions, cheesy voice lines, and punchy weapon sounds aplenty. It all adds to the chaos of the experience and helps make the battlefield come to life.

One of Hypercharge: Unboxed’s best qualities is its fair approach to unlockables. Skins, characters, and cosmetics are earned through gameplay, not microtransactions – a refreshing stance in today’s shooter landscape and one that really bumps up the value of the experience. If you’re the type of plasyer who enjoys collecting every last piece of content, this game offers plenty of incentive to keep coming back. Even if the campaign can grow repetitive over time, especially when played solo, the range of difficulty levels, hidden challenges, and weapon customization options add enough depth to keep things from going stale too quickly. Multiplayer variety further extends the game’s lifespan, particularly for those with a regular group of friends, and honestly, I can see myself coming back for more Hypercharge: Unboxed action time and time again in the future.

Developer: Digital Cybercherries
Publisher: Digital Cybercherries
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Website: https://playhypercharge.com/