Fermi’s Path is Game Art Studio’s take on the endless runner genre such as Temple Run and the like. In the game, we play as a subatomic particle making its way through subatomic space. We have no control over the speed of the particle and only possess the ability to avoid obstacles by shooting or jumping. Our particle friend travels along what appears to be a monorail like structure, let’s call it a nerve ending, that is round in nature. Pressing left or right on the D-pad allows us to rotate around the nerve ending in order to avoid obstacles that get in our path. If it sounds simple, it’s because it is as there isn’t really much more than window dressing in Fermi’s Path.
On Xbox One, there are 23 levels included in the base game with an infinite version of each level unlocked once it is cleared. You can see your progress on the left hand side of the screen and need to get to the end of the level without dying. No matter how far you have progressed, one single death puts you back to the start. It’s a common tactic used in endless runners and one that isn’t all that bad in its concept, but the execution in Fermi’s Path is where it falls short. The confusion lies in trying to figure out everything for yourself. Certain obstacles can be shot while others can not. The dreaded dark pointy spheres blocking your path which would be detrimental in other games are actually power-ups in Fermi’s Path. It’s a confusing tactic similar to making the RT button aim and LT shoot in Call of Duty game. With no in-game menu or options, it’s up to the player to figure this out on the fly which creates an aura of confusion while playing and that is never a good thing.
On top of not knowing which obstacles are good or bad, we also don’t know what obstacles we can shoot or have to avoid. Most endless runners have that addictive feel to it where you constantly have that “Ok, just one more game” mindset where you try and get further than your last attempt. This is due to the fun-natured gameplay where it’s obvious what we have to do. In Fermi’s Path, however, it’s all trial and error. Now while that may sound like a challenging concept in order to advance, which it is in games like RPGs or MMOs, endless runners can’t have this setup as a single miscue anywhere on the level sets you back at jump street to start all over again. In other words, you’re basically competing against two people in Fermi’s Path. The first one being yourself which is normal in endless runners and second the game’s setup. It would be different if there were just a few obstacles where in a couple of minutes it’s all figured out and you can move on. In Fermi’s Path, each level has independent obstacles that require the same amount of trial and error opposed to simply playing the game.
It’s not all bad though as the graphics and audio are extremely well done. As you progress through the level, the objects you pass by resemble something you would see in a movie as the other particles pass by the screen right in front of you. They are very colorful and add a lot of depth and immersion to the level. Taking place in a subatomic space, Game Art Studio did a great job making it look like you were smaller than the world around you while not losing focus on the character in the background itself. It’s a difficult task but was executed well. The soundtrack in Fermi’s Path is prototypical of endless runners. The high speed, upbeat music is designed to keep you on your toes, on edge and with itchy fingers causing you make that jump just a little too soon ending in your demise. They are catchy tunes and each level has its own independent music which captures the spirit of the level itself.
With 23 different levels, Fermi’s Path is just the right length as anything else would be overkill and start to get repetitive. In all actuality, it could probably come in at about 15 levels and be just as fine. Overall, you notice the audio and graphics right off the bat as the colors and beats stand out immediately. It had me intrigued, but unfortunately the nuances mentioned with the gameplay above caused my experience to be cut short. Even with the great tunes and eye popping graphics, the gameplay in Fermi’s Path has too many issues to cover up. It’s a shame because it has the premise to be a great endless runner and would benefit immensely from a level creator of some sort. From the confusing enemies and not knowing who you can shoot or who you can’t, what to avoid and what is a power-up, along with lack of assistance in determining what these answers are, I have to recommend on passing on Fermi’s Path for now.
There is simply too many unanswered and backwards items within the setup that the amount of time needed to understand what is what within the game makes Fermi’s Path extremely frustrating to play. It is available now for $9.99 on Xbox One but I suggest waiting until it’s on Games with Gold or you get a Bing Rewards gift card to pick it up.
Will was a regular ICXM contributor in 2015, publishing 31 articles across opinion pieces, game reviews, and Xbox news. Their work focused on hands-on reviews, platform commentary, and breaking-news reporting during the Xbox One’s first full year of post-launch coverage, including the early days of Backwards Compatibility and Windows 10 gaming.