This game is very fast, reflex heavy, and challenging, but without a specific set idea on what your doing, and cheap deaths. Its hard to really get under the surface of this one.
Pros:
-Fast Gameplay
-Great Music
Cons:
-Game Difficulty is a bit brutal
-From the beginning there's, no stated idea on what you actually need do as far as objectives goes
-Needs a seizure warning, there's a lot of aggressive lights blinking/flashing
The Rare Nine, while not boasting with its graphics, the extreme action pace is reflex breaking. I've played a lot of game that have demanded precision and fast reflexes before from Ninja Gaiden to F-Zero GX, but only this game now holds the crown for single-handedly killing me so fast in multiple sessions by just walking right out of the first rooms door. I am now a humbled game reviewer, realizing that a game can always be harder.
Story: No story here as I've seen but it seems like a simple story of zombie/Hell-portal apocalypse and 9 survivors of what i think is an office building are fighting through the building what what they can.
Gameplay: The gameplay as I've hinted at above is extremely fast and very difficult, you are to fight your way through zombie hoards and find the next room to go through. honestly i don't want to sound like im complaining but I'm my case its way too fast. I'll give this game its just due though, that tough difficulty and fast gameplay does make you feel every time you die that you can definitely buck up & git gud as they say. There's replay value because trust me after a few deaths you will be saying to yourself "hmm...nah, let me do that again". I will say for a slight note sometimes you can have full health and with-in one sec die from a hit, I’ve had this multiple times with just one enemy hitting me, I’m not sure if that is one purpose or not but it is discouraging (whats the point of feeling comfortable with full health or close to full heath if I can dying instantly).
-As the title states you chose from 9 characters (although only 3 at first can be picked, the rest has to be unlocked), Every character has different weapons, attacks, and pre-set items so be careful on what you chose since chosing a character is also slightly akin picking a difficulty to start the game with.
***One major problem i have with this game though that made it hard for me to really make any progress is that this game really needs and seizure warning, the fast movement along with constant flashing from combat or when you die is definitely enough to give a seizure as i had to stop playing the game to relax myself. Please devs create a warning of sometype.***
Controls: the controls are straight forward, basically Left and Right arrows to move, the letters Z,X,C for attacks (Z=Normal Attack, X=Special/Rage attack-this needs to be powered up to use by killing enemies, C=A Slower Strong attack), and A,S,D for your item usage (A=bleeding meds, S=Poisoned, D=???(Never found out)). The problem i have here is that the gameplay is so fast its hard to find a comfort point with knowing what button does what in the midst of combat, since everything is so frantic. To mitigate this i would like to have controller support, on keyboard I’m not that fast with key binding but on a controller i definitely think i could be more sure about my button presses and mapping.
Graphics: I love the retro art style, the details with the blood and signs, are giving me nostalgic thoughts looking back on games just like it in the past such as Slaughter House, on sega master system.
Music: The music is actually pretty good, going from the main menu's eerie Michael Myers Halloween-esk piano melody, to the safe rooms peppy low key beat to the all hell breaking loose chiptune music in combat is smooth. Too bad i can never live long enough to actually enjoy it lol.
I would like to give this game a good thumbs up but as i had problems even getting far into it do to the light flashing moments in the game (As I've stated above an seizure warning is really needed.) Right now i'll have to wait until this is fixed for me to dive deeper into this game.
