Developer: Poppy Works
Publisher: Ziggurat
Genre: Action
Release Date: Feb 21st, 2024
Price: $24.99
Where to buy: Steam,GOG, Xbox, PSN,
Slave Zero X throws you headfirst into a brutal and stylish 2.5D beat-em-up. From its style, you feel like you stepped into a blockbuster, or a Sears at the time to grab the latest PS1 era game. My own personal hype for the game met with cheering on the game from afar, as I am personally a big fan of Strider, Strider 2, and games like it. While I may not be the best at those game, there is simply just something about them, that ether work so wonderfully, or flop.
Story:
While Slave Zero X prioritizes frenetic action over intricate storytelling, it still establishes a compelling backdrop for its violent ballet. It paints a bleak picture of a world ravaged by societal collapse and the tyrannical rule of the Sovereign Khan.
The story revolves around Shou, a skilled warrior and member of the Guardians, a resistance group fighting against the iron fist of the Khan. Witnessing the atrocities committed by the Khan’s regime, Shou becomes consumed by a burning desire for revenge. His rage leads him down an unconventional path – merging with a stolen prototype Slave unit, a biomechanical weapon designed to be the Khan’s ultimate tool of war.
This fusion transforms Shou into a living weapon, granting him immense power but blurring the lines between man and machine. Haunted by the ghosts of his past and fueled by vengeance, Shou embarks on a bloody crusade to dismantle the Khan’s oppressive regime, one brutal encounter at a time.
The narrative serves primarily to fuel the action, providing context for Shou’s rage and the oppressive world he inhabits. However, within this framework, the game touches upon themes of rebellion, the cost of vengeance, and the blurred lines between humanity and technology. While not the central focus, the story adds a layer of depth to the experience, making the fight against the Khan’s regime feel more than just a button-mashing exercise.
Ultimately, Slave Zero X leverages its narrative as a springboard for its core gameplay experience. It offers a glimpse into a dystopian world and sets the stage for Shou’s violent quest for retribution, leaving players to revel in the visceral combat and satisfying combos as they carve a path through the Khan’s forces.
Gameplay:
Expect intense hack-and-slash action with a focus on stringing together combos to dismantle hordes of enemies. The game rewards mastery with a deep combat system that allows you to juggle attacks, unleash special moves, and execute stylish finishers. Don’t expect a cakewalk. The game offers a punishing difficulty curve that will test your reflexes and combat skills. Be prepared to die, learn enemy patterns, and perfect your combos to progress. Looking for even more challenge? The game features a procedurally generated “Crimson Citadel” mode after you complete the campaign. This mode throws increasingly difficult waves of enemies at you, with online leaderboards to compete for the ultimate bragging rights.
Combat System:
You have access to a wide range of light and heavy attacks, allowing for diverse combo chains. These can be further expanded by incorporating throws, aerial juggles, and special moves like the devastating “Slave Zero Burst.” You unlock new skills and abilities as you progress, allowing you to tailor your playstyle. Choose from different weapon combinations and passive buffs to enhance your character’s strengths.
While button mashing might get you through early sections, mastering enemy attack patterns and using counters effectively become crucial in later stages. The environment becomes an additional tool in your arsenal. Utilize environmental objects like explosive barrels and destructible platforms to your advantage during combat.
Level Design:
- Linear with exploration: While the game progresses linearly, you can explore optional paths to uncover hidden items, lore entries, and even secret bosses.
- Platforming elements: The game incorporates platforming sections that test your agility and timing. These sections can be simple jumps or complex wall-scaling challenges.
- Mini-bosses and boss battles: Regular enemy encounters are punctuated by challenging mini-bosses and epic boss battles that require specific strategies and mastery of your combat skills to defeat.
Additional Gameplay Features:
- Parrying: Time your block just right to parry enemy attacks, leaving them open for a counterattack and potentially stylish moves.
- Stylish meter: Performing flashy combos and avoiding damage fills your “Stylish Meter.” Filling this meter allows you to unleash powerful finishing moves for massive damage and visual flair.
- Collectibles: Scattered throughout the levels are various collectibles that offer additional lore, unlock bonus content, and upgrade your character’s stats.
Controls:
- Tight and responsive: The controls are responsive and precise, allowing for fluid execution of combos and special moves. Mastering the controls becomes essential for conquering the game’s tough challenges. A dedicated training room lets you hone your skills and experiment with different combos to unleash maximum devastation on your enemies.
Slave Zero X’s controls are the foundation upon which its frenetic combat dances. While seemingly simple on the surface, a deeper understanding unlocks the true potential for stylish combos and devastating takedowns. - The Fundamentals: The core controls are intuitive, mirroring the typical layout of many action games. Movement is controlled with the left stick, while attacks are mapped to the face buttons. Light attacks offer quick strikes for building combos, while heavy attacks deal more significant damage but leave you open for longer periods. Jumping and dashing round out the basic movement options, allowing you to navigate the environment and dodge enemy attacks.
- Combo Potential: Where Slave Zero X shines is its combo system. Light and heavy attacks can be chained together in various sequences, allowing for creative and personalized fighting styles. Mastering these combinations is crucial for dealing significant damage and building your “Stylish Meter” for powerful finishing moves.
- Special Moves and the Slave Zero Burst: Beyond basic attacks, you have access to a repertoire of special moves triggered by specific button combinations. These moves add variety to your combos and offer unique combat options. The “Slave Zero Burst” stands out as a powerful meter-consuming attack that unleashes a devastating blow, often turning the tide of battle in your favor.
- Parrying and the Stylish Meter: Defense isn’t just about blocking. Mastering the timing of your block allows you to parry incoming attacks, leaving enemies vulnerable for a counterattack and potentially filling your “Stylish Meter.” This meter, fueled by stylish combat and avoiding damage, unlocks powerful finishing moves, adding a layer of risk-reward to your combat approach.
- Mastering the Nuances: While the core controls are straightforward, mastering their application takes time and practice. Understanding enemy attack patterns and learning to counter them effectively becomes crucial in later stages. Additionally, effectively utilizing environmental hazards and platforming elements requires precise control and mastery of movement techniques.
- The Training Room: The game thoughtfully provides a dedicated training room where you can hone your skills and experiment with different combos and special moves. This safe space allows you to practice without consequence, building muscle memory and confidence before facing the game’s tougher challenges.
Soundtrack:
- Thumping beats: A pulse-pounding soundtrack heavily influenced by 90s drum n’ bass and industrial music perfectly complements the frenetic action. The music immerses you in the dark and gritty world of Slave Zero X. The soundtrack of Slave Zero X is not merely background noise; it’s a vital element that elevates the game’s experience. Composed by PROTODOME, the music seamlessly blends with the game’s frenetic action and dystopian setting, creating an immersive and adrenaline-pumping soundscape.
The core of the soundtrack is built around heavy drum n’ bass and industrial influences. Distorted basslines and pounding drum beats provide a relentless pulse that mirrors the intensity of combat encounters. This foundation is then layered with synths, electronic effects, and distorted guitars, creating a gritty and futuristic atmosphere that reflects the game’s biopunk world.
The soundtrack masterfully uses contrasting elements to create tension and release. Somber and atmospheric tracks build anticipation during exploration, while the tempo and intensity ramp up during combat encounters, propelling you into the heart of the action. This ebb and flow keeps the player engaged and creates a sense of urgency throughout the game. Beyond its technical aspects, the music in Slave Zero X also contributes to the game’s narrative. Tracks like “To Kill a God” and “The Unfinished” have a sense of epic grandeur, reflecting the protagonist’s quest for revenge and the larger struggle against a tyrannical regime. Additionally, specific tracks, like “The Steel Lily,” stand out with a melancholic beauty, hinting at the underlying humanity within the game’s dark and violent world.
Overall playtime:
- Replayable challenge: The main story campaign can be completed in around 5-7 hours, depending on your skill level. However, the real challenge lies in mastery and high scores in the Crimson Citadel mode, which can add significant replay-ability for those who crave it.
In Conclusion:
Slave Zero X is a stylish and challenging beat-em-up that delivers a visceral combat experience. If you crave intense action, demanding gameplay, and a wicked soundtrack, then Slave Zero X might be your dystopian dream come true. However, be prepared for a steep learning curve and be ready to hone your skills to conquer the game’s brutal challenges.
