Review: Laika: Aged Through Blood

Developer – Brainwash Gang

Publisher – Headup Publishing

Platforms –  PS4/5 , Nintendo Switch ,Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PC (Reviewed)

Review copy given by Publisher

Laika: Aged Through Blood is a game that truly revs up the excitement in the crowded world of indie gaming. It’s a western-inspired motorvania set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, and it offers a unique and thrilling gaming experience that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

One of the standout features of Laika is its vehicular combat on a fast and agile motorbike, and it’s a real wheelie good time. The controls are as smooth as a well-oiled engine, and the combat mechanics are a joy to master, shifting the gears of excitement into high gear. Racing through the wasteland, performing daring wheelies and engaging in epic battles on your trusty motorbike is a wheelie good ride that sets this game apart.

The game’s visuals are absolutely stunning, with a beautiful, hand-painted post-apocalyptic world that oozes atmosphere and detail like chrome on a classic bike. The art style is unique and captivating, and it adds a layer of immersion to the game that few others can match. The world feels alive, and the attention to detail in the hand-drawn landscapes is commendable.

However, Laika isn’t just about fast-paced motorbike action and gorgeous visuals; it also boasts a deep and compelling story that’s as riveting as a biker’s memoir. At its core, it’s a tale of a mother-daughter relationship, vengeance, and loss that’ll make your heart race like a turbo-charged engine. The narrative is well-written and engaging, and it adds an emotional depth to the game that you might not expect in a motorvania. Laika’s journey for vengeance to reclaim what her people lost is a captivating one, and you’ll find yourself rooting for her every step of the way.

The world of Laika is incredibly varied, offering a wide range of environments and settings to explore. From desolate deserts to crumbling urban landscapes, the game keeps things fresh and engaging throughout, like a scenic ride through changing landscapes. The missions are diverse, and you’ll encounter epic boss battles that are both challenging and rewarding, delivering a nitro boost of excitement. The variety of gameplay elements keeps you on your toes, and there’s always something new and exciting to discover around the bend.

One of the most innovative aspects of Laika: Aged Through Blood is that it bills itself as the “very first MOTORVANIA.” This unique genre mashup combines the best elements of motorbike action and the exploration of a metroidvania game. It’s a novel concept, and it’s executed with finesse in Laika, making it a standout in the gaming garage.

The game’s use of skill-based power-ups adds another layer of strategy and excitement to the gameplay. Learning when and how to use these power-ups is essential to your success in the game, and it adds depth to the already impressive combat system, like fine-tuning a motorcycle engine for maximum performance.

Furthermore, the ability to reload your gun by performing a backflip is a small but satisfying mechanic that adds a level of skill and style to the game. It’s these little details that make Laika stand out from the crowd and demonstrate the developers’ dedication to creating a unique and memorable experience, like a custom paint job on a classic chopper.

Laika: Aged Through Blood is a must-play for fans of both motorbike action and metroidvania games. Its fast-paced vehicular combat, breathtaking hand-drawn world, emotionally resonant story, and innovative genre blend make it a standout title in the indie gaming scene. If you’re looking for an unforgettable gaming experience that offers both challenge and depth, Laika: Aged Through Blood is the game for you.