Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the glorious decade of the 2020s, where we not only survive the apocalypse but also get to enjoy retro revivals of games from the late '90s! And what a gem we've been blessed with: Slave Zero X. Yes, you heard that right. This nostalgic reboot of a game that a handful of people played back when dial-up internet was the epitome of connectivity is now slaying its way onto your PS5.
Set in a dystopian future where everyone seems to think cybernetics is the way to go (shout out to the 90s vision of 500 years later), you play as Slave Zero, a mighty mech sporting the flashy choreography of a third-rate ballroom dancer. The plot revolves around overthrowing a tyrant, throwing in some ancient order warriors and a giant city that’s one small malfunction away from being a giant steel roller-coaster. The gameplay is a refreshing mix of hack-and-slash with a sprinkle of chaos and just enough button-mashing mechanics to satisfy your inner child that never really grew up. Handle yourself as you combo your way through enemies like it's a Friday night dance-off, except instead of people judging your moves, they’re more concerned with – you know – being eviscerated. The controls? Intuitive enough that even your grandma could jump in, provided she has a few decades of gaming experience under her belt. The weapons range from swords to ridiculous futuristic gadgets that might make even Q from James Bond jealous. Power-ups litter the landscape, creating an atmosphere akin to being a kid in a candy store who’s left unsupervised. Just don’t expect a deep narrative; it’s as straightforward as they come: bad guy has a city, you beat up bad guy…and maybe collect the occasional collectible potato chip. No, seriously.
Visually? Did someone say neon? The graphics look like they huffed a canister of neon paint and exploded across the screen of your 4K TV. Each frame is dripping with those sweet, electric hues that could revive a dead grandma. The art style is reminiscent of those '90s comic books that you thought were cool but were probably full of questionable decisions. Characters pop, environments are rich in detail, and the explosions – oh boy, the explosions! Watching everything combust in a cacophony of colors would give Michael Bay a run for his money.
In conclusion, Slave Zero X does what it sets out to do with flair. It throws itself back into the glorious chaos of hack-and-slash with a beautiful tribute to its predecessor wrapped in a shiny new package. It’s the uninvited guest that overstays its welcome but manages to keep the party going despite its awkward dance moves. Sure, it’s not the most groundbreaking game of 2024 or the last remnant of a psychic trip through time, but if you seek a game that lets you unleash some fury while looking stylish and bright, then look no further. Just remember: when the narrative is low and the mayhem is high, sometimes all you need is a big robot and a lot of red goo. It's a 7 out of 10 from me. Happy slashing!