The fast-paced revenge action game I Am Your Beast is built for ultimate replayability

Every now and then an action game comes along that achieves the perfect gameplay loop – think Miami Helpline or Super hot. I am your beast has the honor of joining that prestigious gallery. Strange Scaffold’s latest title is an instant action classic, the kind of game that demands your attention and rewards you with that sweet, sweet serotonin.

I am your beast — which hit PC on September 10 — tells the story of Alphonse Harding, a former secret agent who has retired to live a peaceful life as a recluse in the woods. The government comes knocking with an offer of one last job, and Harding says no. Unfortunately, you can’t say no to the government and live a peaceful life in this world, so the Covert Operations Initiative takes up residence in his woods with the goal of either converting or killing Harding.

There are 27 levels in the main campaign. I listen to a series of audiotapes of Harding either monologuing in his own journal or having a brief conversation with COI bosses, then jump into a mission. The forest is Harding’s turf; he’s built a network of hatches and tunnels. So each level is nicely compartmentalized; as Harding, the player jumps out of a hatch, sets about an objective like tapping laptops or killing COI agents, then dives back into the tunnels.

Taking out COI agents as Harding is incredibly satisfying. I climb trees, slide under logs and laser beams, and sprint through gaps. When unarmed, I can engage agents in fistfights and then steal their weapons. Any weapon, even melee weapons like combat knives, will break after a few blows. Out of necessity, I’m always juggling weapons. I can grab a piece of bark and throw it at an unsuspecting guard, allowing me to grab their gun and land a few headshots. One of his comrades approaches with a shotgun, so I toss the empty pistol at him. In his shock, he throws the shotgun into the air and I grab it.

The cycle of throwing a weapon at a bad guy and grabbing his new weapon out of the air was delightful in Super hotand it’s just as fun in I am your beast. Sometimes I can even steal some nearby COI hardware, like a bear trap, claymore mine, or explosive RPG. Harding also has home-field advantage, meaning he can pull off Looney Tunes tricks like shooting out a wasp nest and letting the bees sting his enemies to death, or climbing an inconspicuous tree and jumping off to stomp a goomba.

The faster you complete a given objective, the higher your score; some levels take well under a minute. When you complete a level for the first time, you unlock bonus objectives, which encourage you to run through it again, perhaps this time aiming to kill people with throwing knives or just melee. Some levels in the campaign are locked behind achievements such as getting a certain number of A-ranks or completing enough bonus objectives.

It’s really fun to run through a stage and keep shaving seconds off each run. There are no global rankings, which I like — I’m just competing with myself. I have no doubt that I am your beast is going to create a community of crazy people who can rock these levels in record time. And while I’ll be watching and applauding their work from a distance, I still enjoy the experience of breaking my own records.

I am your beast has a visual style that is very distinct and distinctive. The COI goons wear large red goggles that make them stand out in the snow and rain. When Harding scores a headshot, a large, vibrant red “X” appears above the victim’s head – a clear indication that it is safe to proceed. If they are merely incapacitated, the goons will lie on their backs and roll from side to side – a perfect opportunity for a stomp kill. The exaggerated, cartoonish visuals are super clear, which is great when every second counts.

The story of I am your beast is clearly inspired by revenge films and spy thrillers, and is largely carried by Harding’s narration. Harding’s voice acting does a fantastic job; a less subtle version might have come across as cheesy. Instead, he comes across as resigned, stubborn, and utterly dedicated to his cause. It’s a stark contrast to the COI characters, who range from terrified henchmen to the cold-hearted colonel.
The only thing in I am your beast What I can’t praise is the music, which is serviceable but doesn’t really get my heart racing. Some of the tracks feel like they belong in a Super Monkey Ball or Sonic Adventure game, which doesn’t quite fit the fast-paced action and dark, gory nature of the gameplay.

I am your beast is a game I can highly recommend, especially for people who enjoy titles like the ones mentioned above Miami Helpline And Super hot. The game is small, but mighty — it might just be my personal game of the year. There is no part of I am your beast that feels unnecessary or uncomfortable; the whole experience is geared towards getting revenge and creating a good feeling.

I am your beast was released on September 10 on Windows PC. The game was reviewed using a pre-release download code provided by Strange Scaffold. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. You can find additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here.