14 DAY TRIAL // Laika is revving her engine, getting ready to move through a gauntlet of bird soldiers equipped with a ton of firepower. She can only rely on her pistol, which has exactly two shots before it needs to be reloaded, and the speed and build of her trusty motorcycle. Slow motion makes it easy to gun down enemies but getting to the next checkpoint will be a challenge.
I start the run, barreling down the road, hitting one jump before the first enemy comes into view. No need for tricks, I simply slow down time and fire a bullet through his skull. I hit a small ramp and with only one gun in the gun, I do a 360 backward flip to reload. Unsure how that works but the extra bullet comes in handy as I take out another two bird guards.
It’s good that they aren’t using the many vehicles and equipment abandoned around them. A group of soldiers is ahead, so the simple trick of shooting and then reloading won’t work. I launch myself and the motorcycle off the well-positioned ramp. The bike takes a bullet for me as I take out two of the soldiers before I complete the flip. Another falls as I head for the ground but his bullet unfortunately hits Laika and ends her quest for revenge.
Laika: Aged Through Blood is developed by Brainwash Gang and published by Thunderful Publishing. I played a preview of it on Steam on the PC. The title mixes motorcycle tricks and slow-motion combat.
The main character is a coyote on a revenge quest, the final power able to stand against the violent rule of the birds. Her characterization is good, done mainly via radio messages during which she asks about the safety of her kids and wonders how to best deal with the challenges ahead.
Her most important tool is a motorcycle she uses to navigate the world and perform tricks. Players are in control of the speed and balance and it can be hard, when going at full speed through complex areas, to keep the heroine from crashing.
She also quickly gains access to a pistol she can fire on the move (given the small bullet load, this should be a double-barreled shotgun). Aiming slows down time, crucial given the speed of the motorcycle. A flip is required to perform a reload.
The ideas are simple but the result is impressive. It ain’t easy to navigate the world, target enemies, and perform air tricks at the same time. The game also features boss battles and an upgrade system.
Laika’s inspirations are worn on its sleeve. It deftly mixes Western motifs with a world that is devastated by a massive apocalyptic event. Laika and all the other characters seem small, dwarfed by their troubles but also impressive when in motion.
There are a few moments when, in the middle of a heated firefight, it’s hard to see exactly how the character is oriented on the cycle. The soundtrack draws from the same influences as the graphics, with an ever-present engine roar that blends seamlessly with the soundtrack.
Conclusion
The developers at Brainwash Gang have created a game that makes a strong first impression and then gradually reveals compelling mechanics. They need to make sure the wider universe is interesting and offer a decent variety of levels and challenges to draw fans of the Metroidvania genre to Laika.
A preview key was provided by the publisher
