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XEODRIFTER (VITA)Publisher: Renegade Kid. Developer: Renegade Kid.
Released: September 2015. Genre: 2D shoot 'em up. Other versions: PS4; PC; WIIU; 3DS. Posted 23rd September 2015. By Tom Clare © 2015 |
Now more than ever, first impressions count for everything. To an increasing number of players who bail on games that fail to produce a bombastic introduction, or even a suitable amount of ‘settling in’ time, Xeodrifter’s opening minutes will likely feel like a spot of gaming Darwinism. Those who survive the cull however are in for a bit of a treat. Without fanfare, this Metroid-vania 2D shooter-cum-adventure from the creators of Dementium plies its trade admirably, delivering a stern challenge and satisfying gameplay.
There’s an understated, unpretentious retro authenticity to it. Perhaps this is why Xeodrifter appears more functional than attractive at times; it tends to forgo many of the shortcuts extoled by modern design tools. For better and for worse, it sticks faithfully to an eighties blueprint. Levels feel busy, though they aren’t elaborately furnished, and there aren’t any significant embellishments or adornments. The main character, entirely competent and replete with neat tricks, sits slightly the cruder side of simplistic. As in the coin-ops of yesteryear, the environments carry an incestuous similarity that was (and in Xeodrifter’s case, very much still is) most effectively combated through vibrant, opposable colour schemes. This all adds to the charm however, and there’s little to dampen the illusion of third-gen ecstasy, short of the odd trophy popping now and again.
Stranded in space, the player finds themselves alone and in rather pressing need of a warp drive. Beggars can’t be choosers though, and until one can be located, the ship’s thrusters will have to do for basic propulsion, affording travel between four nearby planets. Each is extremely hostile and fraught with danger, though there’s also the carrot of expansive exploration, multiple routes, secrets and power-ups awaiting the gallant gamer.
There’s an understated, unpretentious retro authenticity to it. Perhaps this is why Xeodrifter appears more functional than attractive at times; it tends to forgo many of the shortcuts extoled by modern design tools. For better and for worse, it sticks faithfully to an eighties blueprint. Levels feel busy, though they aren’t elaborately furnished, and there aren’t any significant embellishments or adornments. The main character, entirely competent and replete with neat tricks, sits slightly the cruder side of simplistic. As in the coin-ops of yesteryear, the environments carry an incestuous similarity that was (and in Xeodrifter’s case, very much still is) most effectively combated through vibrant, opposable colour schemes. This all adds to the charm however, and there’s little to dampen the illusion of third-gen ecstasy, short of the odd trophy popping now and again.
Stranded in space, the player finds themselves alone and in rather pressing need of a warp drive. Beggars can’t be choosers though, and until one can be located, the ship’s thrusters will have to do for basic propulsion, affording travel between four nearby planets. Each is extremely hostile and fraught with danger, though there’s also the carrot of expansive exploration, multiple routes, secrets and power-ups awaiting the gallant gamer.
I've got my eye on you etc... Ah, why do I even bother...
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Small, or far away?
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For many shooters, this development would largely entail bigger numbers: more health, more potent weaponry, and so on. And whilst some careful scouring will indeed yield increased vitality and greater armaments (including a fantastic means of customising the nature of the gun’s firing pattern), many of Xeodrifter’s concerted power-ups, attained as rewards for defeating bosses, are more satisfying for the broadening effect they have on the gameplay.
Gaining the submarine ability, for example, allows the central protagonist to morph into said aquatic transport vehicle as a means of traversing the previously off-limits underwater sections, which play really nicely. There are also ‘run’ and ‘rocket’ functions, which grant the ability to dash across otherwise-damaging lava pits, and boost up to areas not attainable with standard jumps, respectively. The best perk by far however is that of shifting between foreground and background. It produces one of those wonderful “eureka!” moments when it becomes apparent you’ve been strolling past entire sections of level that have been hiding in plain sight. It’s a fantastic little feature, and cleverly realised too, as it’s often combined with other manoeuvres as quick switches are needed to avoid coming a cropper on walls or lava pits.
Renegade Kid deserves great credit for the precise, measured difficulty level, which remains consistently challenging throughout. So often, tough games either taper off once you’ve mastered the basics, or ratchet up beyond the reasonable reach of mortals. Yet, with some considerable skill, it maintains a fine balancing act. Fans of a challenge will love what Xeodrifter has to offer; it never gives you anything for free, and with limited health early on, every sequence and every enemy demands attention and respect. You’ll die many times before the end credits, but save for some irritating deaths at the hands of alien bats late on, the game rarely feels cheap. Checkpoints are only deployed before and after a boss battle, and some of the most heart-stopping moments involve backtracking through the levels on low health, limping to the sanctuary of your ship and a much-cherished save point, finally cashing in your newly-acquired booty and powers. Moreover, it offers a sense of true accomplishment that’s absent from a lot of its contemporaries.
Gaining the submarine ability, for example, allows the central protagonist to morph into said aquatic transport vehicle as a means of traversing the previously off-limits underwater sections, which play really nicely. There are also ‘run’ and ‘rocket’ functions, which grant the ability to dash across otherwise-damaging lava pits, and boost up to areas not attainable with standard jumps, respectively. The best perk by far however is that of shifting between foreground and background. It produces one of those wonderful “eureka!” moments when it becomes apparent you’ve been strolling past entire sections of level that have been hiding in plain sight. It’s a fantastic little feature, and cleverly realised too, as it’s often combined with other manoeuvres as quick switches are needed to avoid coming a cropper on walls or lava pits.
Renegade Kid deserves great credit for the precise, measured difficulty level, which remains consistently challenging throughout. So often, tough games either taper off once you’ve mastered the basics, or ratchet up beyond the reasonable reach of mortals. Yet, with some considerable skill, it maintains a fine balancing act. Fans of a challenge will love what Xeodrifter has to offer; it never gives you anything for free, and with limited health early on, every sequence and every enemy demands attention and respect. You’ll die many times before the end credits, but save for some irritating deaths at the hands of alien bats late on, the game rarely feels cheap. Checkpoints are only deployed before and after a boss battle, and some of the most heart-stopping moments involve backtracking through the levels on low health, limping to the sanctuary of your ship and a much-cherished save point, finally cashing in your newly-acquired booty and powers. Moreover, it offers a sense of true accomplishment that’s absent from a lot of its contemporaries.
Turning into a submarine is great fun, but not practical in a bathtub
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These pink champagne pits are as health-ruining as you'd imagine
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It’s a bit of shame Xeodrifter doesn’t stretch beyond its four excellent planets. The evolution of the platforming, in tandem with the ways in which the levels broaden to accommodate new abilities, certainly hints at greater things. Similarly, though the excellent bosses continue to add new and increasingly devious attack-patterns to their repertoire, you are ultimately left to fight a long line of palette swaps, which is a pity. Xeodrifter’s absorbing quest will last committed gamers a couple of days, though replay value is relatively limited unless you’re confident enough to attempt a speed run in under an hour.
Xeodrifter may leave you wanting more, but it’s a well-crafted venture that places pleasing impetus on pure gameplay. If you’re a fan of the Mega Man games, you’ll dig the frenetic mix of shooting and platforming, even if it’s a little less elaborate and stylish than some of the games it takes inspiration from. It nails the bread and butter gameplay; it’s nippily paced, features nice, spry controls, and the open-ended nature of the routes you wish to pursue next makes this space blaster a good deal of fun. Just goes to show, you should never judge a game on how it looks.
Xeodrifter may leave you wanting more, but it’s a well-crafted venture that places pleasing impetus on pure gameplay. If you’re a fan of the Mega Man games, you’ll dig the frenetic mix of shooting and platforming, even if it’s a little less elaborate and stylish than some of the games it takes inspiration from. It nails the bread and butter gameplay; it’s nippily paced, features nice, spry controls, and the open-ended nature of the routes you wish to pursue next makes this space blaster a good deal of fun. Just goes to show, you should never judge a game on how it looks.
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