As the clouds finally break and the rain at last begins to pour, I just about make it to my apartment in time. I make my way up the cold stone steps of my building, glance out the window each time I pass one. Damp masses of people huddle together under awnings to escape the downpour, while the brave venture out with umbrellas, and the sidewalk reflects the harsh glow of neon street signs. My keys unlock the door of apartment 33. A small silver cat greets me as I take off my wet coat and towel dry my hair, staring at myself in the mirror.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll be there in a minute.” I tell her. She just looks at me, makes even more noise. I give her some food, her favourite, and take a seat at my desk. My monitor springs back to life, says ‘You have one new message’. I click on it.

“Have you ever played Super Hot?” My friend Donald inquires in the chat. As I read this and formulate an answer, I see his status flick to online.

“No. What is it?”

“Super Hot is the most innovative shooter I have played in years.”

“Ok. Tell me more.”

“Its kinda hard to explain. I’ll send you the link, it should install itself. Just play it.”

A new message pops up, ‘Donald Dewitt sent you an unknown item. Do you want to open it?’ Hesitantly I click yes.

“This looks shady Donnie. Tell me you didn’t just send me another virus as a joke. It wasn’t funny the last time.”

“I beg to differ Jimmy. I thought it was hilarious. But no, don’t worry, Super Hot is the most innovative shooter I have played in years.”

“Jesus Donnie, are you part of their marketing campaign? I’ll play the damn game.” Chat ended.

From my desk, next to my monitor I take my VR goggles and place them on my head. I plug the jack in the back of my neck and run the SuperHot.exe. With next to no load times I’m transported to a world of very little colour or detail. In front of me is a red wire frame that has just been shot in the head, but as the blast rendered his skull to vapour, time seems to have stopped. A message projects itself over my entire field of view.

‘Time Only Moves When You Do’

As I slowly make my way to the corner, I notice I’m holding a gun. Around the corner two more wire frames are stood, these two armed. Another message pops up.

‘Kill Them All’

I pull the trigger, watch my bullets fly toward their marks in slow motion, while I weave in between the shots fired by my assailants. When my shots connect, I’m treated to a full speed replay of my actions as someone whispers the words ‘Super Hot’ in my ear, over and over again in the same expressionless monotone. I take my VR Goggles off and reopen the chat with Donald.

“What is this? Does it have a story? Or am I just going to be killing red dudes the whole time?”

“I told you, it’s hard to explain. Just keep playing. Super Hot is the most innovative shooter I have played in years.” My fingers type the words ‘FUCK OFF DONALD’ in nothing but caps, but then erase it and instead end the chat. The second level opens with a message.

‘Grab The Gun’

I oblige, as the game spawns more wire frames to kill. I will admit the game makes me feel like I’m Chow Yun Fat in Hard Boiled, or the Killer or something. Not once have I just stood there shooting, I’m constantly spinning around dodging bullets, making calculated shots, elbowing wire frames in the face. I decide to play a few more levels, each one a whirlwind of carnage, dead wire frames and cryptic messages. I hate to say it, but Donald was right.

‘Feed Your Cat’.

I take off my goggles, reopen the chat.

“Donnie! This game is fantastic! Where did you find it?”

“Have you been playing this entire time?”

“Yeah, why?” My cat screams in my face, she sounds abnormally disgruntled. “What’s wrong? I just fed you.” I ask her.

“It’s like twelve hours later man, get some sleep.” Twelve hours? That’s impossible.

“No way. That can’t be.”

“That’s Super Hot man. Now get some sleep.” Chat ended.

An unstoppable urge to put on my goggles takes hold of me. As each level passes I get better and better, making the end of the match replays all the more satisfying. New level, new message.

‘Stand still’

I comply, wait for the countdown to end.

‘Move’

Again, done, wait for the countdown to end.

‘Die’

What? I look around, observe I’m in a prison cell, and above me are a dozen red wire frames itching to get their revenge. I dodge the bullets as long as I can.

‘I said, Die’

A stray bullet hits me in the chest. The level fades away as this message fills my screen.

‘Good Dog’

‘Free your mind’

Once again, I take off the goggles, open the chat.

“Donnie, this game is getting really weird on me man.” Is what I typed, this is what my computer changes it too. “So how far are you? I hope I’m not close to the end yet.”

“What? I don’t know man, just enjoy the game.”

“No, Donnie, that wasn’t what I wanted to say.” Becomes, “Yeah, You’re right man, you are always right.”

“You ok Jimmy? This doesn’t sound like you.”

“Please Donald, help me.” Becomes, “Of course man, Talk to you later, I’m gonna play more Super Hot.” Chat ended. I open my list of contacts and find that Donald Dewitt seems to have been erased from my personal history. I can’t even be sure I was just talking to him. No matter, a voice in my head tells me. Instead I open a chat with Victor, ask him,

“Victor! Its been too long man! Say, have you ever played Super Hot?” It takes some time before he replies.

“Jimmy, how have you been? And no, never heard of it.”

“Fine, fine. Don’t worry, I’ll send you the link. Super Hot is the most innovative shooter I have played in years.”

“Cool, I’ll check it out.” Chat ended.

I plug in once more. The new level loads a top a huge skyscraper, with a view of the whole fabricated city. I take two steps forward to the edge. A message pops up.

‘Jump’

Without hesitation I do exactly that. The developers really pulled off the sensation of falling. The wind in my face, the feeling in my stomach. It feels so real. As the concrete grows closer, and the pounding ‘Super Hot’ in my ear grows louder, another message fills my field of view,

‘Good Dog’ 

‘Super Hot is the most innovative shooter I have played in years’

10 out of 10

Benjamin Porter

Did you see that Zach? Clear as a crisp spring morning. F K… In the coffee.” I mumble to myself, blow into my mug and sigh.