A sort of boomer shooter take on Max Payne, though actually the graphics are even more of a throwback than its inspiration. But the diving and slow motion mechanics are definitely from MP. However this game is much, much more focused on melee enemies, which means you never really need to dodge enemy projectiles. It's more that you slow down time so you can assess what kinds of enemies you're up against, prioritize accordingly and then select appropriate weapons. e.g., angels and witches/brides are a priority because they do ranged, area of effect damage. Automatic weapons or the rifle are good for the former, but a headshot with the handgun suffices for the latter. Then you want to deal with the werewolves, because their leap attack lets them swiftly close the distance. Then you deal with the ghoul/vampires, who will get into range much more slowly, and finally switch to the shotgun to dispatch the animated suits of armor, who do huge damage but often will stay perfectly still until you trigger them.
So all very fun, but finally not very difficult except for rare scenarios where you are up against large numbers of enemies. And even then, it's only challenging the first time, because the second time through you know the enemy placement and can prioritize better.
Still, the feeling of mastery from slowing down time and then efficiently dispatching a roomful of enemies with a half-dozed perfect headshots doesn't really get old. Also, kudos on good monster design that makes the enemy weakpoints easy to target, even in poor lighting. It also helps that the levels are so short, which keeps the pace fast and stops the game from dragging. And it's impressive that at 50 levels, the game doesn't quite outstay its welcome, though I was about done with it.
The visuals are extremely cool, and it's impressive what they can achieve with the low poly count and not excessive visual effects. The music works, too, getting your blood pumping for particularly exciting rooms.
The boss fights are a mixed bag. You repeatedly fight one enemy type where you have to shoot down 1/3 or 1/4 of their health bar and then stake them. That's clever, because it forces you to take some risks with melee combat, as staking is otherwise an "oh shit", get-out-of-jail-expensively card you play when you messed up and get cornered. But in practice, there's usually a narrow or low doorway nearby that the huge boss model will get stuck on, so it's easy to cheese about 3/4s of the Burned Man's appearances.
The boss midway through (on level 25 or 30 or so) is a HUGE difficulty spike (or maybe I'm just terrible and failed to learn its attack patterns). Even the endboss was not nearly as hard.
Last thing I'll note is that while I admire the game's commitment to its tone and themes, I did find that the slightly overwritten melodramatic style was wearing thin by the end. Also, the bulk of the game is about a bad relationship, and the theme of addiction that emerges in the last few cutscenes and levels is somewhat underdeveloped.
So all very fun, but finally not very difficult except for rare scenarios where you are up against large numbers of enemies. And even then, it's only challenging the first time, because the second time through you know the enemy placement and can prioritize better.
Still, the feeling of mastery from slowing down time and then efficiently dispatching a roomful of enemies with a half-dozed perfect headshots doesn't really get old. Also, kudos on good monster design that makes the enemy weakpoints easy to target, even in poor lighting. It also helps that the levels are so short, which keeps the pace fast and stops the game from dragging. And it's impressive that at 50 levels, the game doesn't quite outstay its welcome, though I was about done with it.
The visuals are extremely cool, and it's impressive what they can achieve with the low poly count and not excessive visual effects. The music works, too, getting your blood pumping for particularly exciting rooms.
The boss fights are a mixed bag. You repeatedly fight one enemy type where you have to shoot down 1/3 or 1/4 of their health bar and then stake them. That's clever, because it forces you to take some risks with melee combat, as staking is otherwise an "oh shit", get-out-of-jail-expensively card you play when you messed up and get cornered. But in practice, there's usually a narrow or low doorway nearby that the huge boss model will get stuck on, so it's easy to cheese about 3/4s of the Burned Man's appearances.
The boss midway through (on level 25 or 30 or so) is a HUGE difficulty spike (or maybe I'm just terrible and failed to learn its attack patterns). Even the endboss was not nearly as hard.
Last thing I'll note is that while I admire the game's commitment to its tone and themes, I did find that the slightly overwritten melodramatic style was wearing thin by the end. Also, the bulk of the game is about a bad relationship, and the theme of addiction that emerges in the last few cutscenes and levels is somewhat underdeveloped.