We’re kicking off the week with a look at a trio of recent indie releases – here are reviews for Night Slashers: Remake, Anarkade and Cosmic Paradox: Noire.
Night Slashers: Remake review (PS5)
Night Slashers: Remake, by Forever Entertainment, brings back the horror-themed beat ’em up classic from 1993, offering a revitalized experience for modern consoles like the PlayStation 5. The game stays true to its roots, delivering the same side-scrolling action that fans of the genre have come to love, while adding modern touches to make it more accessible. In a world filled with bloodthirsty monsters and supernatural foes, you’ll face off against iconic enemies like zombies, werewolves, and Dracula, making it a love letter to classic horror fans.
The gameplay consists of seven stages, each packed with a variety of enemies, and punctuated by a climactic boss fight at the end – typical of the arcade games of that era. The difficulty spikes can feel intense, especially when playing solo, as the game forces you to eliminate all enemies before you can advance, stalling the action for those looking to breeze through. However, with four characters to choose from and local multiplayer for up to four players, it’s clear that the game is designed for co-op fun. Each character has unique moves and special attacks that come at the cost of health, adding a layer of strategy to the chaotic combat.
The remake’s advanced combat mechanics stand out, with a range of combos, grappling moves, and powerful screen-clearing attacks. However, these special moves can sometimes feel like a double-edged sword since they drain your own health as well, making them a risky but thrilling choice. The inclusion of custom modes also adds replay value to an otherwise short arcade experience, letting players tweak gameplay settings for more chaotic or challenging experiences.
Visually, the game maintains its 90s charm while introducing slightly enhanced graphics that pair well with its dark, atmospheric setting. The cartoon-style gore and retro aesthetic, paired with a fittingly eerie soundtrack, create an experience that feels nostalgic yet modern. Unfortunately, the controls can feel a bit dated, lacking the fluidity seen in recent beat ’em up titles, which might frustrate players expecting smoother gameplay. However, Night Slashers: Remake does capture the essence of the original while introducing enough new features to entice both newcomers and returning fans. It’s a satisfying, though occasionally rough, journey through a horror-infused world, best enjoyed with friends for some local multiplayer action.
Anarkade review (PS5)
Anarkade, developed by Pixelatom and published by Blowfish Studios, brings retro-inspired multiplayer mayhem to the PlayStation 5 with fast-paced arena battles. With vibrant pixel art visuals and randomly generated 2D stages, the game blends platforming and explosive combat in a format reminiscent of old-school arcade shooters. Players can compete locally or online, and the game’s best enjoyed with four players.
The gameplay is easy to pick up but difficult to master, with responsive controls for jumps, wall grabs, and corner hangs that add a layer of strategy to the fast-paced combat. Weapons range from melee options to explosive guns, ensuring variety in how each battle unfolds. However, the chaos can sometimes become overwhelming, making it hard to keep track of the action, especially when the screen fills with explosions and characters all moving at high speed.
The variety in stage design is a highlight, with arenas set in locations like space, polar landscapes, and even Egyptian ruins, each offering unique physics to navigate. Customization options for your character add a fun personal touch, though the chaotic combat can sometimes overshadow the finer mechanics of the game’s weapons. The AI bots provide a solid challenge, but as mentioned the game shines brightest when played with friends, either locally or online.
Overall, Anarkade is a fun and chaotic multiplayer shooter that delivers short bursts of excitement. While the frenetic action might not appeal to everyone, it’s an enjoyable experience for those looking for competitive battles with friends.
Cosmic Paradox: Noire review (PS5)
Cosmic Paradox: Noire, developed by Auto Slavic, transports players to a fractured universe where two powerful factions, the Vex Accord and the Oronix Empire, are forced to battle for dominance. Set against the backdrop of a shattered timeline, the game offers an intriguing narrative premise, though it often feels like a missed opportunity as the storytelling takes a backseat to the action – which is quite simple by comparison. Despite the compelling world-building, much of the narrative remains underexplored, leaving players to focus more on the fast-paced, arcade-style gameplay than any deeper story elements.
The core gameplay revolves around space combat in both Campaign and Survival modes, with three stages providing the backdrop for intense dogfights. The controls are generally responsive, making the moment-to-moment action enjoyable, but there’s a steep learning curve when it comes to mastering the Shield and Rampage abilities. These mechanics add layers of strategy, yet at times, the game’s difficulty spikes can feel punishing, especially when trying to achieve a three-star ranking after each mission. Upgrades provide some relief, with credits earned from battles allowing players to boost their stats permanently.
Visually, Cosmic Paradox: Noire offers detailed ship designs, contributing to the game’s futuristic atmosphere. However, the limited variety of stages can make the experience feel repetitive after a while, especially during extended play sessions. On the audio front, the game delivers an atmospheric soundtrack that pairs well with the cosmic setting, although the sound effects can occasionally drown out the music during more chaotic battles.
Overall, Cosmic Paradox: Noire is a solid, if somewhat flawed, space combat game. While it succeeds in delivering a visually appealing and mechanically sound experience, it struggles with pacing and repetition, making it more suited to players looking for short bursts of action rather than long campaigns. With additional content and more refined storytelling, it could have reached greater heights, but as it stands it’s a rather simple take on the genre.
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