Laika: Aged Through Blood – A Metroidvania Like No Other?

by

As a passionate enthusiast of the Metroidvania genre, it’s always thrilling to witness a game that dares to innovate and offer something fresh. Brainwash Gang’s “Laika: Aged Through Blood” is exactly that kind of game, self-styled as a “Motovania,” blending the classic aspects of Metroidvania with physics-based, motorcycle-centric exploration reminiscent of “Excitebike” or the “Trials” series. This intriguing genre experiment has left an indelible mark on players who found it appealing, delivering one of the most captivating and exhilarating twists on the Metroidvania formula in recent memory at its initial release. With its arrival on PC and other consoles in 2023, “Laika” has now made its grand entrance onto the Nintendo Switch, leading us to ponder whether Switch owners should consider adding this game to their collection given the abundance of Metroidvanias already available on the platform.

Regrettably, while the overall structure and play mechanics of Laika: Aged Through Blood are almost perfect, enhanced by stunning visuals, a deeply emotional story, and a hauntingly moving soundtrack, endorsing this game comes with certain reservations. For players comfortable with the game’s unique navigation system, Laika: Aged Through Blood provides moments of tranquil flow that truly embody the game’s intense power fantasy. However, for others, repeatedly trying to navigate these sections may become an exercise in frustration rather than enjoyment, detracting from the game’s best aspects. Moreover, the game’s performance on the Nintendo Switch is less than ideal, particularly in a title where instant death scenarios require immediate resumption of play.

Laika: Aged Through Blood Excels In an Area Where Many Metroidvania Titles Fall Flat

Instead of many Metroidvania games that prioritize gameplay over story or employ indirect storytelling methods, Laika: Aged Through Blood distinguishes itself with a compelling narrative about survival in a harsh and unyielding environment. The player is swiftly immersed into the life of Laika and her world, inhabited by anthropomorphic animals on the verge of extinction due to an oppressive bird army. This bird faction is portrayed as malevolent and ruthless, having perpetrated genocide against other species in Laika‘s realm. The game does not shy away from depicting the atrocities of war and the high price of vengeance-seeking. Rather than serving as a mere pretext for violence (which it undeniably is), Laika delves into broader philosophical dilemmas surrounding war and futile pursuits of revenge, exploring what occurs when individuals are driven to the brink and transform into the very monsters they’ve been wronged by.

The game skillfully conveys its tale using a mix of straightforward and subtle storytelling techniques. As Laika journeys through the world and encounters other survivors, she can choose to undertake optional missions that offer insights into both the characters and the environment they inhabit. Each mission is usually worth doing for the narrative resolution alone, regardless of the prizes on offer. The dialogue is well-written and doesn’t shy away from portraying the despair and fatalistic outlook of the inhabitants, yet there are also instances of humor and warmth that highlight why Laika‘s world is worth fighting for. A comparison could be made to Mad Max combined with Animal Farm. The Brainwash Gang has done a commendable job in creating and presenting a story that, without their efforts, might have become just another clichéd revenge tale. It’s accurate to say that there are moments in Laika that will touch you deeply and leave an emotional impact, especially after spending so much time getting acquainted with these characters and their struggles, both shared and individual.

Laika’s Motorcycle Completely Transforms Traditional Metroidvania Gameplay

As a gamer diving into the world of “Laika: Aged Through Blood,” I’ve come to realize that this game stands out from other Metroidvanias in a unique way. Instead of the usual mix of combat and exploration on foot, I’m cruising around on a motorcycle. This creative choice allows the developers to craft intricate worlds and challenging platforming levels that are unlike anything I’ve experienced before.

Jumping and descending through platforms? Forget about it! Navigation relies heavily on ramps, loop-de-loops, and even midair shotgun blasts to access areas that would be off-limits in other games. Each environment is a miniature playground, filled with thrilling twists and turns reminiscent of the “Trials” series.

But what really sets “Laika” apart is its innovative approach to traversal and platforming. Traditional ability-gating and progression systems have been reimagined, offering an exciting twist on the Metroidvania formula. It’s not just about exploring; it’s about mastering the unique mechanics that this game has to offer.

In the game ‘Laika’, players can enhance Laika’s abilities in various ways. Some improvements can be discovered or bought, such as a grappling hook, a turbo-jump, and additional tools for both combat and platforming. However, the majority of progression within this game primarily involves acquiring upgrades and gathering resources. There are around two dozen different types of materials scattered throughout the game, which Laika can shoot and gather whenever she returns to an area. These materials can then be exchanged with the blacksmith, along with the game’s currency, Birds’ viscera, to receive new weapons or improvements for existing ones. This allows players more freedom in deciding how they want to approach the game’s exciting combat sequences.

As I roar down the road on my motorbike, I’m like an unstoppable force, barreling towards any blissfully unaware birds in my path. Let me tell you, nothing beats dishing out some payback to those feathered tyrants! The bike’s physics give me the power to perform incredible mid-air flips, which come in handy during battles. A backflip reloads my current weapon, while a front flip can reflect bullets back at enemies if timed perfectly. Parrying isn’t just for combat; it’s also crucial for swiftly navigating some of the treacherous platforming challenges this game throws my way. With a quick button press, I can do a 180-degree spin on my bike, making evasive maneuvers a breeze.

In the realm of Metroidvania games, nothing quite compares to “Laika: Aged Through Blood“. However, reaching that point where everything falls into place is an uphill battle with a steep learning curve and relentless punishment. In this game, death is just one misstep away, and each encounter is a high-stakes dance with mortality that leaves no room for error. Death in “Laika” is frequent, particularly at the outset, and the need to retrace your steps to retrieve lost items can lead to players getting stuck in repetitive loops, draining valuable resources. But the triumph of overcoming these tough sections echoes the same sense of accomplishment as defeating a demanding boss in a Soulslike game, making the effort generally worthwhile.

As a gamer, I’ve found that the game’s bosses are masterfully crafted, with intricate mechanics, but they can only be conquered after numerous attempts through trial and error. Each encounter pushes you to your limits, utilizing all the tools at Laika’s disposal and demanding that you apply every lesson you’ve learned in a high-stakes situation. The reward is immense when you crack the code on how best to battle each boss. However, the lethal one-hit kills inherent to Laika‘s combat system mean that even a small misstep can be catastrophic, making every fight a test of your perfection and patience.

Some Minor Issues Hold Laika: Aged Through Blood Back From Greatness

When the game “Laika: Aged Through Blood” is running smoothly, it’s quite common to enter a peaceful, meditative state as you transition seamlessly from one screen to another, effortlessly defeating enemies and performing impressive acrobatic flips in mid-air. However, errors will inevitably happen, leading to your character’s demise and the need to start over. Games with frequent death sequences often avoid annoying players by enabling swift returns to the action. Unfortunately, while “Laika: Aged Through Blood” offers quick respawns on other platforms, the Switch version experiences longer loading times after each death, which significantly extends the playtime and disrupts the momentum that the game would otherwise build. In a game where death is as common as it is in “Laika”, these lengthy load times to get back into the action completely destroy the sense of flow and pace that the experience aims to provide.

In certain regions, the Nintendo Switch version of Laika can have difficulty maintaining consistent frame rates, particularly during intense scenes with numerous enemies or large boss battles. When the game requires maximum player input, the Switch may struggle to keep pace, leading to some jerky performance and stuttering that could potentially impact the outcome. While these instances are not frequent enough to significantly impact the overall experience, they do slightly diminish an otherwise well-crafted and distinctive Metroidvania title.

In the Nintendo Switch, I spent a total of 26 hours immersed in the game “Laika: Aged Through Blood.” This is significantly more time than most players typically report, around 18 hours. What sets my playthrough apart is that instead of rushing through encounters, I opted for a deliberate approach, carefully considering each section and frequently pausing to plan my strategy rather than charging in headfirst.

On the Nintendo Switch, you’ll find an abundance of top-notch Metroidvania games, and “Laika: Aged Through Blood” is definitely worthy of any fan of the genre who owns a Switch. However, just because “Laika” is an easy recommendation doesn’t mean it will appeal to everyone. It demands quite a bit from players to fully enjoy its offering. For those not deterred by a challenging gameplay and a fresh take on traditional Metroidvania elements, “Laika: Aged Through Blood” offers a rewarding experience that quickly becomes one of the standout modern titles in the genre.

The game titled “Laika: Aged Through Blood” is currently available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. For this review, we received a Switch code from Game Rant.

Read More

2025-02-02 02:34