2019/1/3: Nintendo Switch: Slain: Back From Hell

[VideoGameCritic]

I wasn't expecting much from this one, but I got a lot! Comments please!

[red_curry_paste]

Currently 2.99 on the Playstation store, but there's a bit of a discrepancy between the Critic and reader scores. Would love to hear some other folks' thoughts.

[Retro STrife]

I bought this one this week, based on the Critic's positive review, and because the download is on sale for $3 on the PS4. The game hasn't reviewed well -- it's currently averaging a 67% out of 100, according to GameRankings.com. But the unique premise and low price tag was enough for me to give it a shot. I haven't played it yet, but I'm interested to see if I side more with the VGC or the other critics on this one.

[VideoGameCritic]

I wonder how many reviewers who trashed this game have never played classic side-scrollers?
Those games were hard, but you kept plugging away!

Today's games tend to walk you through the motions, resetting you immediately where you died.

I want to hear from someone who's actually played this to confirm I'm not crazy.

[velcrozombie]

Bought the game for about $3 during the recent Steam sale and played through the first level so far, which took about 40-45 minutes. I haven't poured a ton of time into the game - I'm playing a different game each night to try and make a dent in my backlog - but I'd personally give it a B at this point. Love the visual design and music, the combat is fairly simple but it's well-balanced so far. I don't feel the game is excessively challenging - all you have to do is make it to the next checkpoint and your life and magic are refilled and the checkpoints are spaced out at what feels like a reasonable distance. I skimmed the reviews on Metacritic and it looks like the Switch got an inferior version that has since been patched and brought up to a similar level with the other releases, something that hasn't been reflected in the review scores - the PC reviews are much closer to your own experience.

[Paul Campbell]

Can anybody give me a good answer as to why a game like this would FORCE you to use the analog stick? Even with the pro-controller? What is that all about? And for that matter, can anybody give me a good reason why EVERY GAME EVER MADE doesn't have an option to completely customize your controls, especially these days, and especially a game like this, a game that is meant to hearken back to the days when we only had a digital pad? I played through the first level but I was honestly so miffed that I was being forced to use the analog stick that I haven't gotten back to the game.

[snakeboy]

Can anybody give me a good answer as to why a game like this would FORCE you to use the analog stick?

That's odd that the Switch version forces you to use the analog stick. In the PS4 version you can go into the option menu and change control to the d pad.

I would probably give Slain a B grade too, but I would say it's definitely not for everyone. If you're like me and grew up with games like Castlevania, Mega Man, Ninja Gaiden, Contra, etc, you would probably like it. But if you grew up with games from the the 3D era, you probably won't.

[Alucard1191]

I think you meant to say "Iron Maiden" album cover, not "Iron Maid." Then again, maybe there is a metal band I don't know about by that name.

[Ozzybear]

I don't get the bad reviews , yes this game is hard , but so were the other games in this style back in the day , but this is well done and I definetly like it

[ptdebate]

I wonder how many reviewers who trashed this game have never played classic side-scrollers?
Those games were hard, but you kept plugging away!

Today's games tend to walk you through the motions, resetting you immediately where you died.

I want to hear from someone who's actually played this to confirm I'm not crazy.

You're not crazy. Now go replay Bloodborne and give it the A+ it deserves