Game is starts on contest "Gaminator - Back" on site gamin.me, where for 3 weeks been developed games for suggested theme. After winning "Resin" in contest, much players adviced by author finish this game.
Resin is quick pass Greenlight, and now released on Steam.
Trailers:
In the game we control of the cyborg, with mission to destroy all warmth-generators - creatures, from them powered all machines on the planet (about like in "Matrix").
In gameplay is "elevator-based" platformer, with simply, but elegant fighting mechanic. In platformer-mode we can run, jump, ride the elevators, enter in the doors. In fighting stance we can punch by one or combo hits, charge by strong-hit or dodge back.
After all, you may not killing enemies, and just pass by away in right moment.
Enemies - is 5-6 types. Someone can be slayed by punch-rush, with others - better wait himself attack and then counter-attack him.
For defeat bosses need find right tactic. In one cases - is yours attention and reaction question. In others - need to strain the brain.
But, every boss defeat - isn't only facilitation, is increased pressure, too. With every slain boss (warmth-generator) your character gradually dying yourself. Like Voldemort in last Garry Potter series. You become weaker, slower and game stay harder.
By regress your character loses health bar length, changing combat mechanics, and punches become more viscous. Beating same enemies become more difficult and cost of mistake - is growing up.
Unlike some modern games, checkpoints on levels is placed pertinently and evenly. In every next locations, with minimum colors, creator is aiming for decor variations.
A story, unfortunately, is sluggish and partialy, weakly introduce player in the world and scenario, but big picture is clear.
<-- It should be a battle with MOKOSH. But boss-battle been remade, and scene source - is lost. Only this one screenshot is left.
Released game is greater contest-version in 3 times. Slightly is easily and more balanced, but less completed and finished.
About music. I understand what creator want more different tracks, and composer - want more bright and fully provide self-creation. But, in my opinion, better when few, but exactly in mood, than more and randomly.
New addition music, by compare with contest-version, (for some exceptions) is devoid style major tracks. In time boss-fights this not enough dynamic and intense, and back-tracks on levels lost mood of despair and slowly dying hero, what feels in original tracks.
For 4-6 hours game (depends from how often you been defeated in boss-battles) have small count of types enemies . 5-6 types is get bored about in midpoint a game. Good news - new bosses is change that flow. Though, game presents itself like "Metroidvania", variety of items is about 5-6 count. Branching of level geometry is limited by choice "go left" or "go right", and leads you in same place, in result. Levels structure is remind symbol "&" - is not maze, that you cannot beat without map. By the way, about map. Creator is made rotated 3D-projection map. It's pretty cool and original, but... fully unclear. Follow by map is no way. Thx god, is not necessary.
Some goals for researching level and exploring dead ends - is health-bottles, what recovery some health.
In last part of the game, regressed hero takes more time before next boss-battle, what formed a sense of neared game ending. But isn't. In end-part of game you encountering with 4 bosses one by one. Is not bad decision, but remind me TITAN SOULS. I think, should be displace last bosses for more balance on levels.
Beside keyboard, game is have gamepad support. And contains english, russian and ukrainian languages. However, understanding of text for playing is not very important.
Results:
+ stylish and verified graphics style, despite on low colors count and small enemies.
+ solid combat mechanics, with animation feels every hit
+ much bosses, with personal tactic and weakness
+ sticky sounds, cool death-scene and electro-music masterpiece from composer immersed in the game
+ epic final boss fight
* game difficult is above medium level
- weak a narrative (without description on Steam-page and author comments not have full picture)
- some music tracks drop out down from overall style
- not enough Metroid-elements (little levels branching and types of enemies)
- no hints, instructions or notes (in 1-2 places you may be stuck)
- useless level map
- controversial thing with decreasing health-bar after every death (at times easier just close the game and run again)
Summary: 8/10
Great game, what would be a brilliant, if author polish and clear it to glitter.
If you like style difficult 2D platformers and not awaits "press X to win" - this game for you!
This game have a demo-version.