The fun that is had using the magnet gun explains why Volition chose to feature a majority of the scenery underground. With rocks, crystals, ceiling mounted equipment, and massive walls, these caves provide a large amount of additional ammo for the use of your magnet gun. When above ground, the gun is slightly less effective once most nearby buildings are destroyed mainly because the angle needed to make object race towards each other are typically less ideal above ground.
As explained earlier, Darius is gifted with Nano Forge technology that was passed down to him. This tech is carried with him in the form of a glowing blue forearm bracelet. This nano-technology uses extremely small robots (nanites) to not only destroy but to rebuild almost anything metallic. The Nano Forge can generate a destructive shockwave in a specified direction or in an upwards radial blast. Then, upon blasting away foes and portions of buildings, it can slowly 'reconstitute' the structure about Darius in a surprisingly satisfying manner that sounds a bit like metal bending or in stress. This dynamic of the game is crucial in that it allows you to push away swarms of enemies and destroy nearby structures. Then, the rebuilding feature allows you to provide cover and a structure to rest and regenerate health as the Nano Forge energy regenerates as well. Thankfully, the rebuilding feature of the Nano Forge is unlimited and does not rely upon an energy meter to use. This tech is upgraded throughout the game by picking up salvage material (which acts as a type of currency), Darius will also be able to create a nano shield that damages all foes within its radius. It can even reflect projectiles and debris. The use of the Nano Forge along with the many weapons provided allows you so many different ways to dispense of the hordes of bug-like aliens that you’ll encounter.
Of course, it would be easy to use only a few different favorite weapons to do all of your damage but Volition brilliantly squashes that idea. The variety of alien types in the game forces you to constantly switch not only the weapons you unleash but the weapons that you have equipped as well (you can have a max of four). Some enemies are small, quick, and evasive. Others are humanoid sized with great leaping ability and barb projectiles. Some even unleash disorienting clouds that prevent weapons fire as they gain the upper hand against you with invisibility and piercing laser fire. There are also golem-like beasts that wield acid or fiery projectiles as they charge towards you. There’s even one massive beast that is so heavy that it cannot be lifted by the magnet gun’s pull! The point is that Volition expertly spreads out the discovery of each of these weapons throughout the story and gives you ample opportunity to change them out at lockers found and repaired throughout each level.
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