Title: Slain: Back from Hell
Genre: Videogame
Release date: 25th March 2016
Vote: 76/100
3 months ago I finally opened the videogames section with
Valfaris, and today I'm going to review its prequel:
Slain: Back from Hell. It was originally released on
25th March 2016 but, after an amazing
launch trailer, it
disappointed everyone for some features programmed badly. For the truth, I never played this unripe version simply named "
Slain!", so I have no clue on how it was bad but the fact is that the developers,
Steel Mantis, rolled up their sleeves so to release, after some months, a
better version of the game, aptly entitled "
Slain: Back from Hell". The game, even though still not close to perfection, was
a lot improved, and it isn't a case if the new reception was
good. And today also
Timpani allo Spiedo 'zine says
its word about this
sanguinary piece of (metal) art!
Now, the game tells the story of a dead warrior called
Bathoryn that comes back to life from his grave in order to free 6 cursed realms from the diabolic hordes of
Vroll, that isn't only the
boss of the bosses but also
his father. To accomplish this task, Bathoryn will be "forced" to cross ultra-detailed scenarios made in a
marvelous pixel art but full of enemies (from
proud wolves to
honourable ogres) and traps (some of them are in some ways difficult to locate... if not after
your brutal death!). To make a bit easy his wanderings into these inhospitable lands, Bathoryn will be guided by a
disgusting witch, that will give to him useful tricks... but also some
unsoliticed sarcastic jokes! And to fight with violence against the many atrocities he will face on his path of vengeance, he will has as only reliable companion
his sword but being able also to shoot some
incantations of sorcery here and there. And all this when you'll embraced by an
epic heavy metal soundtrack made by the ex-
Celtic Frost Curt Victor Bryant, that, at this point, is can be considered as a
loyal collaborator of
Steel Mantis. So, also here there is much of
metal attitude, as in
Valfaris!
With this description, you can understand that we are in presence of a
sword and sorcery version of Valfaris characterized, as this last one, by an
extreme brutality and by an
high difficulty, so expect to die, at least, an
endless number of times before fighting against Vroll! This difficulty is due also to
notable types of enemies like
baby ghosts abruptly disappearing before attacking you (they are present in the suggestive level of a
gothic castle),
very irritating flying heads or
leathery and gigantic warriors equipped with a shield that are literally able to attract Bathoryn when he is quite close to them. Hence, you have to expect also
tough bosses (i.e. the
Mother Beholder)... but even some other bosses (and features) that
aren't so good!
In fact, some bosses are
everything except tough as they should be but, among them, I found the
same Vroll, that is
incredibly boring and
too easy to win, and this a real problem for a game of this kind! Secondly, the attack system is
very limited because, as I said before, it sees only a bit of sorcery and a lot of sword, that is can be morphed into a
sword of fire or
ice, in according to the different enemies, even though this feature is
not exactly vital to continue the adventure. In brief, this attack system is
repetitive, so it's a fantastic thing when, at a certain point, Bathoryn is
turned into a wolf, offering finally a nice variety during the game!
All in all,
Slain: Back from Hell is a
good action platform with a
brutal heavy metal attitude but far to be completely enjoyable for some things
not perfectly implemented. Fortunately, 3 years later
Valfaris will be there to
bring a maturity to the ideas shown, with
courage and
big passion but also with
inexperience, in Slain: Back from Hell. But, mind you, it remains a
must have for everyone not only into
heavy metal but also into a
savage way to intend the
action platform games, so
buy it without hesitation and
enjoy it!
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/369070/Slain_Back_from_Hell/
OTHER PICS (TAKEN BY ME IN GAME):
No comments:
Post a Comment