1047 Games has a proven track record of delivering high-quality arena shooter experiences. In an era where pure arena shooters reminiscent of Halo or Titanfall are scarce, 1047 continues to produce excellent titles that often overshadow their competitors. Yet, these games don’t always receive the widespread recognition they deserve. The reason? Despite their exceptional strengths, 1047 Games has stumbled in managing their intellectual property and the expectations surrounding it. Splitgate, a remarkable shooter, saw the team reset for a sequel, a process that was handled in a way that ultimately diminished player interest. Then came Splitgate: Arena Reloaded, a release that fans were hesitant to embrace, fearing a repeat disappointment. This history of inconsistent management has made 1047 Games less than the most reliable developer, which might explain why their latest project, Empulse, isn’t widely known.
Empulse shares a core concept with the various iterations of Splitgate, but instead of enhancing arena shooter mechanics with portals, 1047 draws inspiration from Titanfall. The focus here is on rapid, agile movement and combat featuring mechs. Empulse can be seen as a spiritual successor to Titanfall’s multiplayer, infused with 1047’s signature style and art direction.
At first glance, Empulse presents itself as an action shooter with incredibly refined and precise gunplay, fluid movement that feels like an elegant dance, and maps designed for small-scale engagements with clear creative intent. The game modes are thematic variations of established concepts. Empulse doesn’t aim to reinvent the arena shooter genre; it offers a fresh option that rewards skillful play without getting bogged down in excessive challenges, over-the-top creative expression, or unnecessary complexity. Much like Splitgate, the game’s primary goal is to make players fall in love with its core gameplay loop, while minimizing the extraneous features that often weigh down modern competitors.
If you’ve played an arena shooter before, you’ll feel right at home with Empulse. It adheres closely to the genre’s classic framework, incorporating elements like enhanced jumping, wall-running, and grappling hook mechanics. The unique “paint” system replaces traditional projectiles with gameplay-focused enhancements, such as speed boosts, jump pads, and healing zones. This fundamental approach ensures a sustained pace, intense action, and smooth gameplay. The mechs are a standout feature, though not as prevalent as in Titanfall. These slow, heavy vehicles often serve as central objectives in game modes, requiring teams to either steal, protect, or utilize them as powerful tools for securing kills in deathmatches. While they can sometimes feel overpowering, the melee weapon (each class has a primary and dedicated melee weapon) allows you to quickly dismantle an overzealous mech.
It’s crucial to emphasize that Empulse is built upon solid fundamentals. While the early access version currently lacks extensive content, what is present is well-crafted and reflects a clear creative vision. The game’s underlying intent is admirable, and its execution, particularly in terms of performance and graphics, is impressive. Empulse runs smoothly and offers a striking, crisp visual presentation. There’s already a great deal to appreciate.
However, having followed 1047 Games for some time, I find myself repeating the same sentiments. The developer lays a foundation for success, mastering the core essence of a compelling game, only to then falter or make strange, ambitious choices that alienate the community. This is a significant issue because a game like Empulse cannot survive without a community. The current peak player count on Steam, under 3,000 (I played on Xbox Series X but encountered mostly PC players), suggests the community is, at best, minuscule. Given the history of Splitgate, the question arises: will Empulse still be around in three months?
I sincerely hope 1047 Games continues to invest in Empulse and finds a way to evolve it further, as this team clearly knows how to create an excellent arena shooter. The spirit of the current build must be preserved. This nascent early access version possesses the tools to avoid the pitfalls of overwhelming players with loot boxes, battle passes, and flashy cosmetics, instead maintaining its focus on quality gameplay from start to finish.
Until 1047 Games proves otherwise, I’ll remain cautiously optimistic about Empulse. This caution stems from the rollercoaster ride fans have experienced with the various Splitgate iterations. I would be remiss to recommend Empulse without reservation, knowing the risk of it disappearing or the team shifting focus before the year’s end.