In today’s roundup of recent ports, we check out a trio of indie titles. Super XYX, Self-Delusion and Don’t Let Him In all got their start on Steam for PCs, but were recently ported over to consoles. Time for a closer look.
Super XYX review (PS5)
Super XYX by Team Grybanser Fox, now published by Eastasiasoft on consoles, brings new retro shoot ’em up energy to the PlayStation 5. Set in a distant future where humanity has spread across the stars, Super XYX pits players against the galaxy-devouring Black Serpent in a story that, while a little campy, adds just enough character motivation to bring its crew of six heroes together. Each character has a unique attack style and special abilities, which keeps the gameplay fresh and encourages replaying to find the perfect fit for each chaotic stage.
Drawing inspiration from early 90s arcade games, Super XYX doesn’t shy away from challenging gameplay. The controls are precise, which is critical in a bullet-hell environment where one wrong move can mean game over. Gameplay is fast-paced and intense, but for newcomers, it can be overwhelming. Thankfully, the game offers customizable difficulty settings for those who want a slightly less punishing experience. The stages themselves are engaging, with screen-filling bosses that force players to adapt quickly to complex patterns. The variety of enemy types keeps each level exciting, though some players may feel the limited six-stage structure could benefit from a bit more variety or length.
The visuals stay true to the pixelated style of classic shmups, with vibrant, nostalgic graphics that will feel like home to genre fans. The art is packed with detail, yet everything remains clear even when the screen fills with enemies and projectiles. Paired with a thumping soundtrack by Epilis that captures the classic YM2151 chip sound, Super XYX immerses players in an audio-visual trip back to the arcade days, adding an extra layer of retro flair and intensity to the action.
Overall, Super XYX is a love letter to hardcore shoot ’em up fans. Its steep learning curve and dedication to retro style might not be for everyone, but for those who appreciate a true arcade challenge and a faithful tribute to the genre, this is a solid addition. While it may have a few rough edges, Super XYX offers that rush of adrenaline that only classic shooters can deliver, and does so at a budget price point.
Self-Delusion review (PS5)
Self-Delusion, developed by RollingBread and published by Sometimes You on consoles, brings players into a dark world inspired by Slavic folklore, where survival depends on understanding and outsmarting mythical creatures. Originally released on PC in 2022, this first-person survival horror game recently made its way to consoles, just in time to satisfy fans looking for a spooky gaming experience in the Halloween season.
The game’s premise centers around escaping encounters with folklore-inspired monsters like the Leshy and Boggart. Each creature is designed with unique abilities and behaviors, creating a need for a variety of strategies for players as they attempt to survive in eerie, fragmented locations like an abandoned village, a crumbling house, and a desolate school. But while the (folk)lore adds an original twist to the horror genre, the gameplay itself can feel repetitive; it often revolves around simple tasks such as feeding an oven with collected dolls, which becomes tiring after a while. At the same time, adding to the pressure is a timer that forces players to constantly be on their toes, racing against the clock as the danger escalates.
Self-Delusion effectively cultivates a creepy atmosphere with its dark visuals and suspenseful sound design. Audio cues becomes essential, as sound helps players track approaching threats. However, the actual scares are mixed; while jump scares are frequent, the creature designs themselves are sometimes underwhelming if you take away the support of the game’s intense audio.
The controls, unfortunately, can be frustrating, especially when precision is required to interact with objects under pressure. Picking up items, for example, lacks responsiveness, which can make high-stakes moments feel unnecessarily difficult. And despite the game offering different difficulty modes, even the “easy” mode is no casual experience, requiring careful attention to the timing and movement patterns of each enemy.
While Self-Delusion doesn’t reinvent the horror genre, its folklore-inspired setting and escalating challenges add a unique flavor to a well-trodden path. For horror fans who appreciate survival mechanics with a folkloric edge, it offers a short but challenging experience, especially when played with the sound fully on to heighten the tension. However, its straightforward gameplay loop and some awkward controls might make it more appealing when picked up at a discount, especially for players looking for a fresh but familiar scare.
Don’t Let Him In review (PS5)
In Don’t Let Him In, players are taken on a tense, nightmarish ride with three friends whose seemingly innocent road trip spirals into horror after picking up a mysterious hitchhiker. Inspired by classics like Silent Hill 2, the game uses a mix of survival horror gameplay and cutscenes to build atmosphere. But while its story, involving sinister twists and unsettling encounters, is well-paced, the low-budget visuals sometimes detract from the intended immersion, with character models resembling dated graphics reminiscent of early 2000s PS1-era games.
Despite these visual quirks, Don’t Let Him In succeeds in delivering genuine suspense through sudden jump scares and a sinister soundtrack that adds to its retro charm. Players can even select between four visual styles to enhance the nostalgic horror experience, a thoughtful option for fans of retro horror aesthetics. However, the game is short, clocking in at just around an hour to ninety minutes, which limits its depth but also makes it ideal for a quick horror fix. The simple controls keep the gameplay accessible, though the lack of polish may remind players of the game’s indie roots.
Overall, Don’t Let Him In is a solid option for fans seeking a brief, chilling experience, especially when played in the dark with headphones. Just be prepared for a few rough edges and a nostalgic, yet sometimes unrefined, approach to horror compared to the likes of the recent Silent Hill 2 remake.
Press Play Media 