Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch
Price: $6.99
Crafting a twin-stick shooter in today's gaming landscape presents a challenge, as it's difficult to innovate within a genre that has been well-established for decades. Nevertheless, Satryn DX successfully introduces fresh elements that not only enhance the fun but also infuse it with a unique flair, distinguishing it from other games in the twin-stick shooter category. These new features create a gameplay experience that is both familiar and distinct.
Color plays a significant role in Satryn DX, enhancing the visual impact and gameplay dynamics. Enemies stand out against the dark background. When an enemy is killed, their blood splatters across the floor, transforming the environment into a vibrant canvas. However, this aesthetic feature also introduces a strategic challenge. The color blood stains can camouflage enemies, creating a trap. I've lost count of how many times I've been lulled into painting the floor with color, only to be nearly overwhelmed by an enemy concealed within the splattered hues.
Movement is tight, and I often find myself deftly navigating through tight clusters of enemies. I control my character's movements with the left stick, which is what I expect. However, to attack, I press the A, B, X, or Y buttons, and by pressing two simultaneously, I can shoot diagonally. Initially, my weapon is a simple ranged attack, but as I progress, I acquire new, more powerful weapons that aid in my pursuit of the high score. These weapons are limited, however; once their ammunition depletes, I revert to my original armament.
In order to achieve a high score, it is crucial for me to gather as many of my blue companions as possible before they fall victim to enemy attacks. Collecting these little blue creatures will not only increase score multiplier, but saving sixty of these guys will give me an extra life.
In each run, I begin with three lives. To advance, I must eliminate all enemies on the board. The experience varies with each attempt since the enemies are randomly generated at each level. However, this randomness leads to my second critique: occasionally, the starting level presents disproportionately challenging enemies. Encountering the more formidable adversaries in the initial level can feel somewhat ill-matched with where I’m at in the game.
One feature that stands out to me about Satryn DX is the high score functionality. With the restriction of only allowing one score submission at a time, the game eliminates the possibility of duplicate entries, thereby ensuring a fair chance for all players to be featured on the leaderboard. Additionally, the scores are easily accessible online through a QR code, providing a convenient way for me to view the leaderboard in real-time.
Final Score: B+
Satryn DX is a vibrant twin-stick shooter that offers both fun gameplay and a satisfying challenge. Its unique use of color and enemy camouflage brings a fresh twist to the genre, setting it apart from other games. Moreover, priced at just $6.99, it represents excellent value and is undoubtedly worth every penny.
Review code provided by Flynn's Arcade.
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