Nearing its 1-year anniversary, Brute is a precision arcade shooter with platforming elements made by musician/game & sound designer MGFM. With a simple yet beautifully executed visual aspect, the game itself is charged by its superb sound design and flowing game mechanics. Per the developer:

Brute is a challenging arcade game with a minimalist aesthetic. It’s a game about planning, timing and discovery featuring an atmospheric soundtrack and cool sound effects!

Game developer MGFM is the product of Michael Manning, a freelance designer that’s worked with “games studios such as Rare, Sumo Digital, Jagex, Big Robot and Santa Ragione.” Brute was made independently alongside fellow graphic and sound designer Tyler Barber, who helped with both art and music.

From the get-go, it’s clear how well-versed Manning and Barber are with sound design. Most of what you hear in the game has been made with analog synthesizers and Manning credits Analogue Solutions, Elektron and Korg as his weapons of choice. The warmth and unique character of the circuitry found within these analog synths makes the sound landscape of this game stand above most digitally-made music and sounds. If you need further proof of solid musicianship, just scroll through MGFM’s Twitter to find gems like this:

I “wrote” some generative music this morning, it’s quite calming 🙂 https://t.co/9Rjg09m4J5

— MGFM (@_MGFM_) May 8, 2018

Fortunately for players, exceptional sound design does not take anything away from the well-executed mechanics of this game. In Brute you’re basically a beefier and (I dare say) a more brutal version of the Geometry Wars player-character. Your general shots fire and hit much harder which makes the compensation of your maneuvering a bit trickier. Movement in this game is made thrilling with unique and challenging level design, and this is a result of Manning’s love for games that focus on exploration and simulation.

To celebrate the first year of release, the game is free on itch.io for PC until tomorrow. You can also donate through the itch.io page or purchase the game on Steam for $6.99. You should also check out the game’s original soundtrack.