#SUPERHYPER is a new twitch reflex game that isn't for the faint of heart

#SUPERHYPER ($1.99) by Sets and Settings is the ultimate twitch reflex game for those who haven’t had enough yet. It’s like Super Hexagon meets Temple Run, but much, much harder. If you’re masochistic about your games, then this was made for you.

Oh, those twitch reflex games — I have a love-hate relationship with these ever since I was introduced to them. I’m sure that I’m not the only one out there who thinks this way, right? I enjoy these games because they are minimalistic and have simple controls, but they are so difficult that it makes it frustrating to play, yet I keep coming back because I’m just determined to beat my score. These games are like the bane of my existence! So even though they end up exasperating me, I can’t help but be on the lookout for new ones on the App Store.

I heard of Superhyper (stylized as #SUPERHYPER) a few weeks ago and was eager for it to arrive in the App Store. Everyone has heard of or tried Super Hexagon, but have you ever wondered what it would be like if it was even more difficult? Probably not, but that’s pretty much what Superhyper is. Now that Superhyper is here in the App Store, I put it to the test as best as I could.

The visuals in Superhyper are fairly minimal, as you have probably come to expect from such twitch reflex games. The background is basic pitch black, so the contrasting splashes of color are nice and vibrant. The game has a pixelated, retro look that reminds me of the old arcade games I used to play when I was younger, so there is a definite sense of nostalgia in Superhyper. The animations in the game are super smooth and fluid, so there will be no lag when you are playing.

The electronic soundtrack (with a dash of chiptune) is fun to listen to, and the sound effects add a layer of charm to this challenging game. The music and sounds are off by default, though, so you have to turn them on manually in the options if you want to hear them. The developer will change this in the first update.

There are four different difficulty modes in Superhyper: Super, Hyper, Superhyper, and a secret one that only the best players may be able to discover. You start out with Super, and have to unlock the others. Each one will have challenges that are unique, but they all have one thing in common: it’s insanely hard. The goal of the whole game is to be fast in order to survive. Your score is determined by how long you are able to survive.

Superhyper features a grid in what looks like space, and it has three lanes that your little egg-shaped character runs down automatically. You have to avoid any obstacles along the way and make sure you dash across gaps if needed. This is all easier said than done, however, and it’s not for the faint-of-heart.

There are multiple control schemes in Superhyper: Swipes, Buttons, or Taps. The default is set to swipes, but you can change the controls at any time via the game options menu, which is accessed from the wrench button. As you go through these different controls, the game will have indicators on the screen to show you how they work, which is nice. Personally, I prefer the buttons and tap methods myself, as I found that they are much more intuitive and responsive than swipes. But regardless, they all take a bit of getting used to in order to master.

Just like other twitch reflex games, this is the perfect title for some friendly competition among friends. There is full Game Center support for leaderboards and achievements for each mode, so replay value is high, that is, if you can handle the game to start with.

As I stated before, I have a love-hate relationship with these types of games, and Superhyper is no exception. I love the art style, the music, and the concept of the game, but it is exceptionally challenging and not for casual gamers. I’m still only on the first difficulty level, but I’m determined to get to the others by the end of the week (hopefully). If you’re a bit of a hardcore masochistic gamer, then you don’t want to miss out on this one.

If you love crazy twitch reflex games, then I highly recommend Superhyper. You can find it on the App Store as a universal download for $1.99.