As a seasoned gamer with decades worth of experiences under my belt, I must say that Redacted has left me thoroughly entertained and slightly bewildered. It’s like a wild ride through a theme park roller coaster, where The Callisto Protocol, Zombi, and Hades have each designed their own loop-de-loops, only to be slapped with a vibrant paint job that screams “I’m not like the others!
Picture a game that blends elements from The Callisto Protocol, Zombi, and Hades in approximately equal proportions, adds a generous amount of vibrant color to it, and turns up the intensity several notches. That’s essentially what [REDACTED], developed by Striking Distance Studios, offers, and it’s truly fantastic. It might seem surprising that this is the same studio behind The Callisto Protocol, released last year, but their unexpected shift into the realm of isometric roguelikes feels as unusual as it does appealing.
In this game, Black Iron Prison is the setting – a space jail similar to Striking Distance’s Dead Space-like universe shared by Callisto and Redacted. However, don’t expect too much connection if you’re a fan of that title, as the relationship between the two is quite loose. Despite their different narratives and styles, there isn’t much beyond surface similarities to connect them.
In this game, Zombi’s impact seems more significant because you assume command of a unique guard at the start of each playthrough. If you manage to locate your dead body, you’ll uncover that it has been transformed into an infected creature that must be eliminated for extra points. The main objective is to endure all the challenges posed by Black Iron Prison and its relentless Warden, ultimately reaching the last remaining escape pod and escaping this dangerous place.
In unfortunate circumstances, you’ll find yourself in competition with other prisoners during each attempt at escape. These fellow escapers have distinctive abilities and personas, numbering up to three. They range from an infected office worker to a murderous maid and a mad role-playing nerd – all stereotypes are represented. However, the fact that they’re randomly selected ensures you stay alert and adaptable.
Similar to Hades, you’ll navigate through a sequence of chambers and choose one of several doors at the end to reveal your next prize. This could be one of numerous types of in-game currencies used for acquiring and enhancing new outfits or weapons, boosting stats, or improving various abilities. Alternatively, it might be one of several elemental enhancements akin to “Favors” in Supergiant’s renowned game. There are numerous elemental effects you can equip, and the success of a run often relies on luck, as the right boosters, or “Experiments,” can significantly alter your approach.
Periodically, both regular bosses and mini-bosses appear, but it’s the escaped competitors that pose the greatest threat. These rivals have the ability to afflict you with game-altering debuffs, intensifying dangerous conditions like filling a room with explosive barrels or toxic gas, or simply annoying you by turning off the lights, forcing you to fight in darkness. However, when your meter is full, you can activate your own hacks, which can momentarily delay their advance as you progress through the game.
Sometimes, you’ll encounter opponents that seem invincible at first, but as you face them more often, you’ll gradually uncover their secrets. The less classified information they possess, the easier they become to defeat. Eventually, they become easy targets. As you progress through the game, your abilities and stats will improve, giving you an advantage with the introduction of new suits that provide ongoing bonuses during your playthroughs.
In essence, Redacted struggles in terms of overall diversity. Although initially, there seems to be a wealth of content to discover, the primary melee weapon stands out as superior, and once I obtained the shotgun, I rarely considered other options. The game offers only a few significant bosses, and after some time, the encounters with fellow escapees become repetitive since they don’t significantly change from one playthrough to another. They do introduce an aspect of unpredictability, but this element quickly fades as players learn how to bypass the challenges they present, making them more of a burden than a challenge during prolonged gaming sessions.
Although Redacted might seem like it heavily draws inspiration from Hades, it certainly carves its unique identity within the growing roguelike genre. It offers a delightful gaming experience, with engaging combat and intriguing elemental abilities in the Experiments. The game isn’t for the faint-hearted as it presents a formidable challenge, with numerous enemies and hazards that even seasoned players may find testing. However, its compelling core loop keeps you hooked, and there are ample rewards waiting for those who put forth their best efforts to conquer it.
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2024-10-29 12:46