Title: Xeodrifter
Developer: Renegade Kid
Publisher(PS4): Renegade Kid
Release Date(PS4): September 1st, 2015
Game Engine: *Unknown*
Number of Players: Single
Genre: 2D Side Scroller/Shooter
Youtube Game Review: https://youtu.be/brzo1Wri61E
As most of you know, Xeodrifter is one of the three games that appeared for Playstation Plus users for free, for the PS4. Yet for some reason, the main page of where I go to find out what these games are and to download them, never appeared. I had to look on my computer. Even at that, it seemed to refuse to add itself to my PS4.
That was until late last week, when I checked and tried again (after getting the demo version of another game that I will be reviewing soon), and this time it finally decided to work.
Well, this game is another 2D Side Scroller. Almost like this month is “Retro Month” for PS+. The plot is simple. You play as this little red guy who’s just cruising through the universe in your little pod-like ship. Suddenly, a strange asteroid comes out of nowhere and takes out your systems, flinging you into a system with four planets.
Though you and your ship survived, somehow it’s taken out your warp drive core and you need to get it replaced(as it’s the only way to escape the system). You scan these four alien worlds, and soon have impulse power. Here, you, the player, can steer the ship to any of these four planets. Then you dock (as in orbit) with the planet.
What’s cool about this game, is it doesn’t force you to make choices(nor force you to stay at a particular place). There is no tutorial. You can just say “you know what? I don’t want to go down to that planet!” You can do this. The game gives you that freedom of choice.
So here, you can save your game (the only way you can, besides boss checkpoints), and you can beam down to the planet.
Again, the game isn’t going to tell you “Hey, uh player? That planet there? I wouldn’t go there.” Again, it’s all your decision. Though I personally, if you get this game and reading this review, to go to the Green planet first (as it’s the least punishing).
Once on a planet surface, there are things you can kill. But it’s best if you avoid combat (unless you absolutely have to, to get a thing out of your way). The reason why I say this, is the only enemies I’ve seen are boss and mini-boss fights. There are no enemies that attempt to harm you(however, they can also impede your progress). This is why you can bypass instead of engage.
Now, this game has a life system (as most games do) as displayed at the top of the screen. You start with three lives (or chances). After the 3rd, you die. Though this game has infinite lives. That’s good. Yet what’s not, is the lack of adequate checkpoints(areas that save your progress for those not in the know). What I mean by “not adequate’, is it’s unlike other side scrollers that have invisible checkpoints at certain points. Those kind are very, very helpful.
To put it in perspective, it’s similar to Super Time Force Ultra. Yet minus the whole time traveling (and having to worry about time limits). Yeah, no time limits, so you can take your time.
That game has a lack of checkpoints, which is what I’m trying to say.
Moving on, I mentioned how there’s bosses and mini bosses. Mini bosses are actually more annoying than regular ones. They all attack quicker, and it makes them more deadly. There’s one planet (I believe the blue one), of this bat.. owl-like thing that makes slashing, almost unpredictable movement. It’s hard to land a shot on it (and not take several yourself).
The boss itself, I… personally, I wish they did more work on (as in, the variance of them). Every boss looks exactly the same from the last one, except they use a color which is the same color of the planet you’re currently on. My guess, these are planet guardians. This actually would make sense, as to why they all look alike.
For boss fights, it’s very…VERY important that you study the fight mechanics. If the boss looks like it’s kneeling down, it’s preparing to jump in the air. If the boss looks like it’s backing itself into a corner, it’s preparing to charge at you.
There are also these hidden moves, which involve the boss jumping off screen and phasing into the screen behind, to either heal itself or charge a powerful attack that you have to dodge.
The boss is pretty much a big jumping/dodging/shooting thing, that can last for awhile.
If you manage to kill the boss, you’re rewarded with an ability. There are four abilities in total, which each one bound to one of your X, Circle, Square, and Triangle buttons(four planets, four useful buttons on your PS4 controller). For example, you get the Submarine (which is bound to your Circle button).
Oh yeah. One last thing I forgot to mention before I wrap this up and go for my final review. Near a boss room, you’ll see these strange spike things that come out of the ground and go in one direction until they hit a wall. If you shoot them and collect the drop they leave behind, you can gain your lost chances back. It’s important you get to the boss with full health, and a steady controller.
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Anyway, I’ve said my peace. It’s time for my review(the word ‘lack’ is used a lot);
Good
-The game doesn’t ‘hold your hand’. You are in control.
Neutral (these aren’t “Omg, shit game!” complaints)
-Serious lack of control options (no way to turn down the music. I had to mute it in order to make the recording possible).
-Brutal lack of checkpoints. But as long as you’re careful and pay attention, you’ll survive.
-Wish there were different bosses, with their own unique abilities. However, I will accept the whole “planet guardian” theory.
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Final Verdict: This is surprisingly a very fun (and equally challenging) game, mainly due to the game allowing you to go back to your ship at anytime (as long as you’re standing on the teleporter at the start of the level). I would definitely recommend others try this. It deserves a go. It really does.
This is one of those “last but not least” things. And I feel it’s going to have a spot on my “Benie’s top 10 favorite games of 2015” list, in December.