Prefacing with this - the game actually stands on it's own but the enjoyment will be magnified if you have played Hypnospace Outlaw, the love letter to 90s internet explored trough the lens of alternate timeline where popular culture, technology and brands diverge from ours. Because, well, it was made by someone from that timeline. There's quite some references to things seen in that game.

So, yeah, Slayers X. A high effort sh*tpost. An ironic and self-aware reflection on what 90 and early 00s boys found the coolest. You play as a fictional character's self-insert in a power fantasy trip trough his hometown of Boise, Idaho. Which I take is just... one of those rural feeling despite being called a city places? They sure like potatoes there. The whole journey is some classic "boomer shooter" journey, with nu metal soundtrack and extremely tongue in cheeks cinematics that feel like Xavier Renegade Angel with how exaggerated character gesticulations are and how nonsensical their dialogue is. Humor is mostly juvenile with lots of exploding toilets and living poop but in a deliberate way, pocking fun at itself.

Talking gameplay, this game is overall short, and final boss aside not too hard - even on maximum difficulty. Part of the joke, I guess. The enemies are standard fare for the type of game, but they all shoot dodgeable projectiles - but there's less health pickups than you'd expect, at least on harder difficulties, so you better dodge well! The guns are pretty standard too, apart from few neat ideas - like the shotgun is "shart launcher" which shoots misspelled glass shards, which you get by breaking windows and other glass items, which is a fun detail. Also, the final weapon can shoot energy balls OR if held continuously creates a stronger beam AND makes you levitate which adds some mobility options to reach stuff - though one level aside you won't see this sued that much outside secrets.

This is a fun, just slightly so deliberately janky but entertaining romp, very much not too long but don't hesitate to pick it up at some sale if like me you're a miser. But, gonna reiterate, there's more to appreciate having played Hypnospace Outlaw so consider trying that first if that's also the type of game genre you enjoy.

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---{ 3 / 5 }---
very charming shooter that doesn´t overstay its welcome and has something new to offer the player with each level by being creative with its map layouts and weapon designs.

gud