Laika: Aged Through Blood

This may be one of the most difficult games for me to review or recommend. It's incredibly strong in some areas, yet lacking in others. Strong points: 1. The core gameplay mechanic is incredibly refreshing, innovative, and original. It reminds me of a mobile game I used to play in high school, Hill Climb Racing, combined with shooter mechanics. That alone is a strong enough reason to recommend the game. 2. The world-building, art direction, visual style, and overall aesthetic are immaculate. I love how original and polished everything feels, from the environments to the character and enemy designs. I especially love the design of all the bosses. 3. The story is very well done. It remains interesting throughout the entire game and constantly keeps you curious about what comes next. Now, the things I didn't like: 1. Ironically, my biggest criticism is also related to the gameplay. I hate seeing the wasted potential of such an incredible and original idea. There is so much more that could have been done, especially with the platforming. We basically see everything the gameplay has to offer within the first two hours, and from that point on, the game simply repeats itself. There are no significant new mechanics, creative traversal options, or enemies that require specific weapons or strategies to defeat. 2. The quest rewards suck, JAJA. I completed every quest simply because I enjoy doing everything a game has to offer, but the rewards are extremely underwhelming. Most of the time, you just receive a few resources that are worth about as much as the items you find lying around the world. 3. The weapons are neither particularly good nor innovative. The only standout weapons are the revolver and the shotgun, both of which you obtain within the first hour of gameplay. I wish the rocket launcher had been designed with a dedicated rocket-jump mechanic. I know it's technically possible through parrying at the right moment, but it doesn't feel intentional or well-designed. In the end, I enjoyed the game, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it wasted a lot of its potential. I'm excited to follow Brainwash Gang's future projects and see how they evolve as developers.

Really unique game. Definitely an annoying water level but pretty great overall. Banger soundtrack and good art

This game is gorgeous and beautifully crafted. The gameplay is tight and fun to master, the soundtrack is incredible and I often listen to it outside of playing the game, the story is so well written and rich with lore and heartbreak. A wonderful game I highly suggest it.