Laika: Aged Through Blood – A Dazzling, Brutal Action Game

Laika: Aged Through Blood is set in a crumbling, post-apocalyptic world that is brutal and unforgiving. The game tells its story of reluctant revenge and desperate survival through the pain and anguish experienced by its characters, which is further enhanced by its impeccable soundtrack. The player assumes the role of the titular character, Laika, armed with a revolver, as they navigate the wasteland on a motorcycle, leaving a trail of blood in their wake.

The game cleverly combines the metroidvania genre with 2D side-scrolling, as the majority of exploration is done while riding the motorbike across treacherous terrain. The balance-focused bike physics, reminiscent of the Trials series, add a unique twist to the level design. Players will encounter unexpected challenges that require quick thinking and adaptability, such as driving through areas that are not meant for bikes and performing dangerous jumps while under fire from multiple threats.

Laika: Aged Through Blood does not shy away from its difficulty. Players can expect to die frequently, often due to mishandling the bike. The game places a heavy emphasis on respecting its physics, requiring players to constantly adjust their bike’s position after each jump and landing. However, the game softens the blow of death by providing mercifully spaced checkpoints that allow players to quickly reset and get back into the action. Additionally, instead of losing all of their currency upon death, players only drop a portion, allowing them to die more than once and still retain some progress. This approach turns dying into a strategic challenge, as players must figure out how to overcome obstacles and enemies in order to progress.

The combat in Laika: Aged Through Blood is seamlessly integrated with the bike’s movement and handling. Players control Laika, a powerful but fragile character who can deliver one-hit kills. The game features tactical features to give players a fighting chance, such as the ability to drift the bike to block incoming hits and a reflective parry that can be recharged through a frontflip. Proper bike positioning is crucial, as tilting the bike can cause incoming bullets to bounce harmlessly off the bottom. The game also incorporates slowed down bullet-time, allowing players to aim and make precise shots.

The game offers a variety of terrains to ride through, with hand-painted backdrops and interesting challenges in its level design. Each area feels distinct and requires different strategies to navigate. The game also features dungeon-like regions that branch out and interconnect, offering condensed areas reminiscent of Zelda dungeons. These areas present fun challenges, such as navigating volatile air vents or crashing down entire floors to create new paths.

Boss fights in Laika: Aged Through Blood are visually striking and imposing. The game introduces inventive arenas and mechanics, such as navigating half-pipes or dodging missiles while outrunning a giant enemy. However, some bosses have long sections between opportunities to damage them, and any death sends players back to the beginning of the fight, which can be frustrating. The game occasionally throws too many obstacles at once, making it challenging to progress.

As players progress, they have the opportunity to obtain weapons and upgrades that unlock new areas. The shotgun is particularly useful, allowing players to perform short hops over terrain and providing various combat advantages. Each weapon in the game handles differently, and upgrading their capabilities adds depth to the gameplay. However, not all upgrades reach their full potential, such as the limited use of the hookshot outside of a side quest and a single dungeon.

Beyond its intense action gameplay, Laika: Aged Through Blood shines in its storytelling. The character of Laika, a coyote mother seeking revenge for her people, is compelling. The game delves into her trauma and immortality, revealing her transformation into a reluctant warrior hero. The story flows seamlessly alongside the gameplay, adding depth and emotional resonance to the experience.

In conclusion, Laika: Aged Through Blood is a dazzling, brutal action game that successfully combines satisfying combat, a beautiful soundtrack, and a heartfelt story. Despite its punishing difficulty and occasional frustrations, the game excels in delivering an immersive and captivating experience.