Laika: A Violent, Post-Apocalyptic Action Game Worth Playing
Laika: Aged Through Blood is set in a crumbling, post-apocalyptic world filled with brutality and despair. The game immerses players in a story of reluctant revenge and desperate survival, backed by a mournful soundtrack and intense combat. Laika stands out with its unique twist on the side-scrolling metroidvania genre, as players explore the wasteland while riding a rugged motorbike across treacherous terrain. With its challenging level design and satisfying combat mechanics, Laika proves to be a gruesome yet captivating action game.
A Challenging Journey Through Devastated Landscapes
Laika sets itself apart by incorporating bike physics reminiscent of the Trials series into its gameplay. Players must navigate broken highways, mighty trees, and rusted pipes, constantly testing their skills and adaptability. However, expect to die frequently from mishandling the bike or failing to land difficult jumps. Laika demands that players master its physics system, ensuring every jump, ramp, and incline is executed flawlessly, even amidst relentless enemy fire.
An Unforgiving World Balanced by Merciful Checkpoints
Dying repeatedly may sound frustrating, but Laika softens the blow by providing generous and conveniently spaced checkpoints. These opt-in checkpoints allow players to quickly resume the action after a grisly death. Furthermore, instead of losing all currency upon death, Laika only drops a portion, enabling players to reclaim their lost goods and upgrade their resources. Dying becomes a necessary part of solving the violent puzzles that lay before players, encouraging them to strategize and plan their daring maneuvers effectively.
Engaging Combat on Wheels
Laika intertwines combat seamlessly with bike movement and handling, creating a captivating and dynamic experience. Players execute stylish kills while soaring through the air, performing backflips, and parrying bullets. Reloading the weapon even requires mid-air flips, adding a layer of skillful play to the game. However, players must remember that the titular character, Laika, is a powerful yet fragile entity that can deal one-hit kills but is also susceptible to quick demise. Quick taps to drift the bike can block incoming hits, while reflective parries recharge via a frontflip. Tilting the bike blocks bullets from below, enhancing both offensive and defensive capabilities.
A Diverse Post-Apocalyptic Playground
Despite the post-apocalyptic setting, Laika presents a diverse range of landscapes for players to explore, complemented by exceptional hand-painted backdrops. From zig-zagging up mountain switchbacks to navigating scrap heaps and toxic pits, each environment offers unique challenges. The game’s metroid(motor?)vania elements shine through interconnected regions and condensed dungeon-like areas. Combat becomes more intense in tight rooms, forcing players to carefully choose their targets. Laika incorporates challenging obstacles such as volatile air vents and collapsing floors, adding depth to the gameplay.
Epic Boss Fights and Intense Challenges
Laika delivers visually striking and imposing boss fights, accompanied by inventive arenas. Some bosses require players to navigate dynamic environments, like half-pipe rooms or moving sections, to reload and strike with precision. These encounters showcase the perfect blend of bike handling and combat. However, some boss battles can become frustrating due to lengthy sections between opportunities to damage them and the consequences of death. Additionally, cramped arenas with minimal safe spots can test players’ patience.