Have you ever heard of Lone Smash? It’s a tough twin-stick shooter with roguelike components that was launched earlier this month. Everybody was speaking about it, however does it stay as much as its repute?
The easy premise includes finishing a sequence of dungeons to earn treasure. Clearing a room of its monsters permits you to progress to the following, with varied pathways letting you select your destiny. Will you threat chasing the treasure, go for higher weapons, or refill your life meter? These are the questions you’ll have to ponder every time you progress on to the following dungeon.
Gameplay includes shifting round a contained room till all enemies perish. The dual-stick nature of the sport works properly, controlling your character’s actions with one stick and the path of your firearms with the opposite. The shoulder buttons function your weapons, though you’ll be able to modify these settings to your coronary heart’s content material. General, it’s a clean and satisfying expertise.
Every run begins with a selection of eight weapons. You’re greeted by some form of demon salesperson, a weapons grasp who declares that “It’s harmful to go ‘lone”. This basic reference all the time delivers a smile. There’s a big arsenal at your disposal, together with melee and long-range sorts. Some even match into each classes, like my private favourite, chain lightning. This one creates bouncing electrical jolts of vitality that switch between enemies. It’s exceedingly enjoyable to check all of them till you discover the one that matches finest. This selection additionally offers no less than one motive to replay after dying.
Oh sure, did I point out dying comes swiftly and often? Your hefty life meter is rapidly diminished by an onslaught of enemies. These monsters are enjoyable and various, rising in issue and quantity as you progress. Flaming skulls are the most typical Goomba-type of enemy, however you’ll quickly encounter wizards, worms, and a few form of toothy slug creature. Boss battles additionally happen often, including one other stage of issue to proceedings. The truth is, that is the place you’ll principally die.
Leaderboards additionally assist with replayability. After every run, you’ll be able to see the place you rank amongst different gamers. This encourages replay by a easy want to climb that ladder, whereas additionally exhibiting that you just most likely carried out higher than you thought. It’s a troublesome sport, in any case, and rating someplace within the high 300 world wide feels kinda .. good. Why not give it one other go? After all, for those who’re not a glutton for punishment, it’s unlikely Lone Smash will change your thoughts.
The graphics are nice. The darkish, painted visuals are hanging, just like the world has been given a violet filter. A neon-bright blue-and-pink aesthetic highlights sure options, including to the enchantment. The audio can also be terrific, suitably quick paced for the bullet hell you’re about to endure. It combines to create a darkish ambiance that appears prefer it’s set in a hellish nightclub realm.
General, Lone Smash is a troublesome twin-stick shooter that hits the spot. The runs are fast and satisfying, with leaderboards and a number of weapons to encourage replay. It seems nice and performs easily; simply don’t get too snug as a result of it’s going to all be over quickly. Till you play once more.