Final Exam is an indie action title that delivers a high-octane, 2.5D side-scrolling experience defined by its frenzied combat and whacky humor. Released on November 5, 2013, this title offers players a chaotic blend of survival and progression, tasking them with navigating environments that are as visually engaging as they are dangerous. While the game holds a Metacritic score of 66.00, its unique approach to cooperative play and character customization provides a deep, replayable loop for fans of the genre.

A Night Gone Wrong: The Story of Final Exam

The narrative premise of Final Exam sets the stage for a classic survival horror-comedy setup. The story follows four long-time friends who set out with high expectations, heading toward their old high school for what was intended to be the legendary party of a lifetime. However, the festivities are abruptly derailed when the group finds themselves stranded in a desolate ghost town.

Instead of music and celebration, the friends encounter a landscape teeming with monstrous creatures hungry for blood. This shift from a social outing to a fight for survival provides the driving force behind the gameplay, as players must navigate through these haunted territories to overcome the threats lurking in every corner.

Gameplay Mechanics and Progression

At its core, Final Exam is a side-scroller that emphasizes both exploration and combat proficiency. The game features large, non-linear levels that encourage players to move beyond simple forward progression. Throughout these stages, players must complete unique and varied objectives while managing the overwhelming hordes of monsters attempting to overwhelm them.

The gameplay loop is heavily focused on character growth and power scaling. As you navigate the ghost town, you can:

  • Earn Experience: Thoroughly explore each stage to gain XP and reach higher levels.
  • Master Skills: Unlock new special moves and devastating powers to handle tougher enemies.
  • Upgrade Arsenal: Discover and utilize new weapons to increase your lethality.
  • Optimize Combat: Execute increasingly impressive combos to maximize damage and outshine competitors.

Cooperative Play and Social Competition

One of the standout features of Final Exam is its flexibility in multiplayer modes. The game supports a variety of playstyles, making it ideal for both solo adventurers and groups of friends. Players can tackle the monstrous hordes alone or engage in cooperative mode, which supports up to four players online and two players in local play.

This cooperative element extends into a competitive drive through the game's high-score system. The emphasis on achieving massive combos and efficient level clearing allows players to directly compare their performance against friends, fostering a community of players striving for the top of the leaderboard.

Who is This Game For?

Final Exam appeals most strongly to fans of indie action games who enjoy the "run-and-gun" or "hack-and-slash" subgenres. If you enjoy titles that reward exploration and offer a sense of permanent progression through skill trees and weapon unlocks, this is a title worth your attention. It is particularly well-suited for players who enjoy cooperative gaming sessions, offering enough depth in its combo system and non-linear level design to keep much more than a single playthrough engaging.