LAMO is an upcoming vehicle-based 8-person battle royale where players operate projectile-firing hover vehicles to destroy everything in sight. It's already a lot to unpack and I haven't even mentioned the toy-to-life aspect of the game that brings famous streamers like Ninja and Dr Disrespect into the game (and your toy shelf). One thing I can tell you for sure: the pre-alpha test today proved the game is a going to be a blast.
First off, the toys: LAMO are adorable chibi versions of some of the most popular streamers including Ninja, Lirik, Summ1tg, Timthetatman, and Dr Disrespect. These figures are available at Target and Gamestop and can be scanned by the LAMO app for a cool AR unboxing experience. The figures you have can be added to the LAMO game so you can compete using your favorite streamer as your avatar.
Got it? Ok, now onto the game. In LAMO (pronounced lame-o) players operate a customizable hover vehicle in a small, fully destructible map. Destroying objects on the map with your projectile will earn you jelly which you can use at upgrade station to level up your weapon, increasing rate of fire. There are capture points around the map to fight over which grant passive jelly while you control them. There are also items to pick up like traps, health packs, and towers (which attack enemies automatically OR can be operated manually).
Rather than a circle closing in, the map will periodically be partially destroyed by cataclysm events. Falling off the map will deal damage to your vehicle, and if your vehicle is destroyed you are left with only the ability to dodge, punch, and jump. If you're killed out of your vehicle, including falling off the map again, it's game over.
A general strategy involves racing to an unclaimed capture point for some early passive income and then moving around the corners of the map destroying small objects and earning levels. Around level 4-5 is when your character can start doing some real damage to enemies. If you save up 900 jelly, you can take a massive mech for a spin and really mess up your opponents' day.
Even in it's understandably rough pre-alpha state, LAMO is a ton of fun. Cruising around in your hovercraft feels great especially when you dash and make use of the ability to fly around and escape danger. The rounds are bite-sized, around 5-10 minutes, which feels perfect. I was slightly thrown by being vehicle-less though. It seems like your only option at that point is to get the mech, but without a good way to earn a lot of jelly any more, I found myself just accidentally falling off the map whenever I lost my vehicle.
LAMO releases later this year, but any one who gets their hands on one of the toys will be granted beta access. I found the game to be quite promising with poppy visuals, fun music, and fast-paced gameplay. The studio has also indicated that more streamers may be getting their own figures, allow me to pitch Mr. Kitboga, complete with aviators and an old lady wig. It sells itself, don't you think?
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