Sometimes, despite best intentions and constant vigilance, a game manages to fly in under the radar. A quiet fan-base that’s actually trying to be as noisy as possible builds up around it, and eventually people start noticing. The phrase is supposed to be “sleeper hit” but honestly, the “hit” part is usually overselling things a bit. For every Katamari Damacy that spawns a much-loved series there are a dozen Gitaroo Man, loved by the people who played it and either forgotten or unknown by everyone else. Astlibra Revision actually did pretty ok for itself on PC but it’s still incredibly niche, but is more than good enough to deserve stronger recognition. With today’s launch on Switch a whole new audience has a shot at some of the fastest and most versatile side-view combat an action-RPG has to offer.
In one of October's biggest sleeper hits, Max Payne-grade bullet time carries this gorgeous motorbike Metroidvania to 95% positive reviews
01.11.2023 - 22:37 / gamesradar.com
2023 has been loaded with stellar games of all shapes and sizes. Alongside this year's greats like Baldur's Gate 3, Dave the Diver, and Resident Evil 4, one such game that just came out recently managed to land its way on Steam's best-reviewed games of the year. That game is Laika: Aged Through Blood, which also happens to be one of the more original takes on the popular Metroidvania sub-genre we've seen in years.
Just released last month, Laika: Aged Through Blood from developer Brainwash Gang is a fast-paced and stylized ride through the post-apocalypse, starring a cast of anthropomorphic animal drifters, bandits, and vagabonds exploring the ruins of the old world.
We described Laika earlier this year as "what you'd get if Trials were a beautiful hand-painted Metroidvania," and that about sums it up. Laika is about a gunslinging coyote who rides a bike and takes out bandits looking to take control of her homeland and get revenge. With a similar aesthetic to dark fantasy animated films, it presents a world that's incredibly stylized and detailed, but also very grim.
What makes Laika such an interesting take on a Metroidvania game is that the protagonist rides a motorcycle as she travels through the various lands. While she reach high speeds, pull of stunts, and barrell through the opposition, she also can die in one-hit. If she catches a single bullet from an enemy, you get taken straight back to the checkpoint. However, along with her mobility, the protagonist is also a skilled shooter. With her bullet-time style ability, she can land precision shots while pulling off sick tricks from her bike.
This aspect gives Laika very different type of pace and sense of action for the traditionally slower-paced Metroidvania style. While pulling off tricks, you can reload or block bullets with your bike, and then pull off a shot before landing on the ground and continuing on your way. This stunt-based approach to traversal and action gives the game an equally methodical yet still fast-paced take on exploring a large interconnected world, which is heightened with its dark-fantasy world filled unique characters to interact with.
If you're looking for a cool new Metroidvania game to play, then check out Laika: Aged Through Blood, which is out now on Steam, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch.
If you're interested in checking out other adventure games, check out our round up of the best adventure games that you can play right now.
Your Childhood Imagination Isn’t the Only Thing Put to the Test in this 2D Pixelation Metroidvania Fairy Tale Story
Entering the world of darkness, escaping from reality into a fairy tale book, Kingdom Shell brings its players something magical that’s beyond one’s imagination. Inspired by games such as Momodora Reverie Under the Moonlight and Rygar on the Nes, this 2D pixelated fantasy Metroidvania brings us to the beginning chapters of once upon a time and shows us that originality can be put into a video game. You shouldn’t miss out on this game developed and published by Cup of Pixels.
Exclusive reveal: This new Disney Lorcana Enchanted card is surprisingly powerful
The latest Disney Lorcana Enchanted card just dropped ahead of its release with Rise of the Floodborn, and we're able to show it off here – say hello to 'Arthur, Wizard's Apprentice.'
TOTK’s Biggest Contributions To The Zelda Series Won’t Be Its Gameplay
There are many ways that has helped to shape the series, but its gameplay is arguably not what will be the most significant going forward. can learn much from and , from the developments in the two games’ presentation and the many new features they have produced. Nevertheless, ’s greatest aspect (and by extension, ’s) is something entirely different.
This gorgeous Metroidvania has it all: Mexican folklore, tasty-looking food, and "combat-oriented" gameplay
In another life, I'm a food critic. Tasting dishes from different cultures is undoubtedly my greatest passion next to video games, and so I ask that you forgive me before I go on way too long about the wonderfully rendered traditional Mexican cooking in the upcoming Metroidvania Mariachi Legends.
First Look Steam Review: Can Scrooge redeem himself and save London before Christmas, in this 2D Victorian Metroidvania
It all began with Jacob Marley. We all remember that Jacob Marley was put in chains for being materialistic and greedy. Well, what if other ghosts existed that were also punished in the same way? What if there were many ghosts in London and all had their own punishments? Well, Orbit Studio used this idea and created something extraordinary.
Remedy Shares Latest Updates on Control 2, Max Payne Remake - Hardcore Gamer
Last week, Remedy launched the long-awaited sequel to 2010’s Alan Wake, which continues the journey of the beleaguered author as he searches for a way out of the Dark Place.
"One Of The Best Life Simulation Games In Years" - My Time at Sandrock Review
manages to expand and improve upon its predecessor in almost every way, and despite a few bugs and small qualms, it stands as one of the best life simulation games in years. Just like, this new entry comes from developer Pathea Games and publisher Focus Entertainment, the latter of which has also helped release titles like and. While there will be players who simply don't care for the game's fundamentally task-centric nature or wish for more complex combat, for fans of the genre does almost everything right.
Alan Wake Developers Provide Updates on Control 2, Max Payne Remakes, & New IPs
Hot off the heels of Alan Wake 2’s success, Remedy’s future looks to be a busy and potentially fruitful one, as the developer has shared details with investors on several projects in the works at the studio, including sequels, remakes, and a new multiplayer IP, with one of the standouts being an update on the announced remakes of Max Payne and Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne.
Remedy Entertainment: Max Payne remakes now in ‘production readiness stage’
Last April, it was announced that Max Payne 1&2 are getting remade with help from Rockstar Games. Now, studio Remedy Entertainment has said the project is in the next stage of development.
Remedy's Max Payne remakes and Control spinoff are now in 'production readiness' but the success of Alan Wake 2 might mean they're still a long way off
Alan Wake 2 is Remedy's big project of the moment, but it's far from the only thing the studio is working on. Today, as part of its most recent financial report, the company shared a look at how its other projects, including a sequel to Control and remakes of the first two Max Payne games, are coming along.
Remedy Provides Update On Control 2, Says Max Payne Remakes Are In 'Production Readiness Stage'
Remedy Entertainment released Alan Wake 2 last week, and both fans and critics alike seem to be pleased with the long-awaited sequel – you can read Game Informer's Alan Wake 2 review here. And now, just a few days later, the studio has provided some updates to some games it has in development, including Control 2 and its remakes of Max Payne 1 and 2.