Slayers X: Terminal Aftermath: Vengance of the Slayer Review

Hypnospace Outlaw was a sport I appreciated much more as time went on, with its mystifying puzzles and alluring 90s web artwork type. And among the many many issues I keep in mind from enjoying Hypnospace Outlaw was a webpage created by Zane Lofton (in any other case often called ZANE_ROCKS_14). His web page was a take a look at this edgy, however one way or the other relatable teen character expressing himself on the web in weird methods. So who would have thought that Zane would make his return within the type of an FPS protagonist within the completely insane Slayers X: Terminal Aftermath: Vegance of the Slayer?

The InZanity of Slayers X: Terminal Aftermath: Vengance of the Slayer

In reality, there are a number of layers to Zane’s story, however the essential half to know is that Zane has an online presence on Twitter, and this sport, Slayers X, is a “childhood challenge” he picked again up after a few years. Developed by Zane’s Huge Z Studios, Inc. — or Jay Tholen of Tendershoot, the true developer masterminding this humorous facade — and printed by No Extra Robots, I got here in anticipating largely comedy however discovered an precise and really competent boomer shooter.

The premise of Slayers X is as wacky because the precise gameplay, with Zane’s city of Boise, Idaho being invaded by the nefarious Psykos. They blow up his mother and invade the Slayers dojo, a badass group that Zane is part of. Using the facility of Hackblood, the S-blade, his rat allies, and a bunch of goofy weapons, anticipate to mow via dozens of Psykos whereas experiencing absolutely the journey of a city that’s Boise.

Slayers X takes the mundanity of a city reminiscent of Boise, Idaho (identified for its potatoes, it appears) and transforms it into this satirical and unhinged space overrun by cackling maniacs. You may traverse throughout trailer parks, comfort shops, sewers, and extra — and whereas these sound fairly boring as areas for a boomer shooter, Slayers X makes all of it come collectively in such a enjoyable method. Ranges are completely brimming with bizarre Easter eggs, hilarious indicators, unusual conditions, and interactable components.

In between the capturing, I discovered myself getting distracted by all of the completely different, enjoyable actions all through these ranges. There’s this dinky outdated arcade with ski ball and mini golf, and I actually frolicked ensuring I received all of the balls within the gap for each sports activities. Surprisingly, I used to be truly awarded for my actions by getting weapons and achievements, so Slayers X embraces and incentivizes gamers’ curiosity in many alternative methods.

Stage design can typically really feel like a mishmash of components haphazardly slapped collectively, with rooms and arenas making no sense within the context of a traditional shooter. However that is not a traditional FPS and the chaos feels charming within the sense that Zane, this inexperienced and wholly distinctive particular person created these ranges as a result of it felt “cool.” He did not cease to ask why the trailer park was stuffed with explosives, he simply put them there as a result of he may.

All of this comes collectively in a mode that screams 90s edge and has comparable hints of Hypnospace Outlaw‘s crunchy pixel look. A number of cutscenes in Slayers X function creepy, uncanny 3D that provides to the weirdness and appeal of the sport. Complementing the visible type is a soundtrack by Seepage, the fictional band from Hypnospace Outlaw. The punk rock type of Seepage permeates all through every degree with tracks that I unironically adore — I kinda love emo music, alright?                               

Slayers X: Terminal Aftermath: Vengance of the Slayer is Positively a Boomer Shooter

The first antagonists of Slayers X are the aforementioned Psykos, and you will be residing as much as the Slayer identify by mowing via a bunch of those insane idiots. There are a number of enemy variants, the commonest of which put on trench coats and giggle like maniacs as they shoot at you. You may discover issues get weird with enemy sorts very fast as there are floating heads with their brains uncovered, werewolves with rocket launchers, literal sentient piles of poop. Whereas I just like the providing of enemies, I simply wished for extra. You see all that Slayers X has to supply by way of enemy selection fairly rapidly, so fight feels a bit stale in a while.

In typical Slayers X trend, the developer leans into the craziness of Zane’s world and creates some really memorable weapons by way of design. The pistols are a bit ostentatious however the goof issue is exponentially elevated while you begin blasting away. Zane begins turning his duel pistols sideways, which is completely unconventional however hey, the rule of cool prevails. Your shotgun shoots literal shards — ahem, sharts, as Slayers X calls them — of glass and can probably be your principal weapon. Ammo is sort of plentiful with this shotgun as a result of any glass you see in a degree might be shot, damaged, and used as ammo. Shootin’ sharts has by no means been this invigorating.

The general lack of weapons is exacerbated by the enemy selection. With seven weapons complete, one being a melee weapon referred to as the S-Blade and the final coming in a while in Slayers X, I am unable to assist however really feel that one other gun or two would have elevated the entire expertise. Extra weapons in your arsenal would have made issues really feel extra recent. For what now we have, the weapons are a few of the most visually inventive I’ve seen in an FPS and really feel nice to make use of. On prime of the shart launcher and goofy pistols, you have got a minigun that has a rotating blade on the entrance and allows you to hover; hell, there’s even a grenade launcher that shoots cans stuffed with hungry rats.  

Slayers X: Terminal Aftermath: Vengance of the Slayer | Remaining Ideas

The majority of my complaints with Slayers X lie with how a lot content material is obtainable. Certainly, there are worse issues a sport may have, however on prime of the dearth of weapons and enemy selection, the expertise as a complete is simply too quick. I went again and replayed it a number of instances, but it surely’ll most likely take two or three hours for many gamers to complete Slayers X  even on greater difficulties. There are a couple of ranges you unlock as extras after beating the principle expertise, and certainly one of these levels is clearly minimize content material.

It is likely to be quick, however Slayers X continues to be an journey price taking. I do not assume I’ve performed a funnier boomer shooter in fairly a while, and you would be hard-pressed to seek out any sport with this a lot aptitude and persona. Zane’s endearingly crude dialogue and outlandish, haphazard degree design is one thing you really want to expertise your self with a purpose to totally admire. And hey, when the Slayers come calling for — hopefully — a sequel or extra content material, I will be prepared with my S-Blade by my facet.

TechRaptor reviewed Slayers X: Terminal Aftermath: Vengance of the Slayer over the course of seven hours on PC with a replica offered by the writer. The sport can also be accessible on Xbox One and Xbox Collection X/S.

Disclaimer: Austin Suther, the creator of this assessment, contributed a small “fart” sound impact which is mirrored within the sport’s credit. He contributed this fart via a callout by the developer on Twitter and isn’t affiliated with the developer or creation of this sport.