Today, I had the chance to experience Laika: Aged Through Blood, a new Metroid-like game. This game stands out with its unique combination of motorcycle acrobatics and tactical ranged combat. After playing the first two hours, I can confidently say it left a lasting impression on me.
A Warning Before You Start
Laika: Aged Through Blood doesn’t hold back. It portrays the harsh realities of war, including the impact on children, which might be difficult for some players to handle. The story starts in a graveyard, where you learn your character’s nephew has been brutally killed. From the start, the game pulls no punches with its graphic imagery.
Despite its intensity, this brutality serves a purpose. The game strongly communicates an anti-war message, showing how war affects families, children, and communities. The story focuses on a small group fighting against a more powerful enemy. It’s not an easy story to digest, but it’s clear the game is trying to make a point about the horrors of war.
Unique and Engaging Gameplay
The gameplay in Laika: Aged Through Blood is both unique and engaging. You traverse the game world on a motorcycle, and combat is performed while riding. You can accelerate, drift, and rotate your motorcycle to perform acrobatic stunts. If you land wrong, you’ll die—but don’t worry, the game has generous checkpoints to get you back in the action quickly.
One of the standout features of Laika: Aged Through Blood is how your motorcycle acts as a shield in combat. You can block bullets by rotating your bike, and shooting triggers a slow-motion mode, allowing you to aim more precisely. You can even parry bullets back at enemies while in midair. However, you must recharge these abilities by performing stunts like front flips to parry or back flips to reload your weapon.
The game’s combat is tactical and requires careful planning, similar to games like Hotline Miami or Katana Zero. You must think about which enemies to tackle first and how to defend yourself while reloading or dodging attacks.
Storytelling and World Design
While Laika: Aged Through Blood is mainly a combat-driven game, its story is compelling and emotionally intense. Your character’s family and community are deeply affected by war, and the game makes it clear that not everyone will survive. The protagonist’s mother is consumed by revenge, and the environment reflects the devastating toll war takes on everyone involved.
The game also tells its story through its beautifully designed world. Checkpoints are marked by memorial sites for fallen comrades, and the world feels rich with detail, enhancing the emotional weight of the story.
A Memorable Soundtrack
One of the unexpected highlights of Laika: Aged Through Blood is its soundtrack. The music, which you collect throughout the game, adds a unique layer to the experience. It feels like cruising around with a radio playing in the background, giving the game a distinctive Western vibe that matches its setting perfectly.
Overall, Laika: Aged Through Blood is a game that blends exciting gameplay with a powerful and emotional story. While it’s not for everyone due to its brutal themes, it offers a fresh and engaging experience
