Slain!

This gothic action title could be somewhat enjoyable for fans of the genre, if they're willing to overlook significant bugs that can ruin the gameplay experience. The most glaring are the controls, which are noticeably laggy. That is, there's a good half a second before any button press you execute telegraphs onscreen. For an action-platformer that's combat-heavy, this makes for considerable more challenge than is likely intended here. There are other basic problems here, too, such as the game being unclear how to quit the game and have it remember your progress. Although there are many checkpoints to continue from as you make your way through each level, when you end a session and come back, you're expected to start either at the beginning of a level or are sometimes -- not always -- brought to a hub screen. These are things that likely should have been addressed before release and sure enough, the developers have already made a post online indicating things like the controls are going to be fixed by the next patch.

And there certainly are reasons to check Slain! out once these issues are addressed. It's an amusing send-up and celebration of metal aesthetics, with galloping battle-ready blast beats serving as the soundtrack as you traverse a variety of levels painted in gorgeous crimson, cobalt, and shimmering purples. The game exudes a rock album cover aesthetic, though really it's just the chosen coat of paint and soundtrack for what, at its heart, is a standard action-platformer. You walk around and slash at enemies, learn magic spells, and talk to big boss characters before your inevitable showdowns with them. But as of right now, until the major issues are addressed, it's a title that should really only remain on gamer's radar for the future.