Recent reviews by UnicornosaurusRex

Need to blow off your steam? Why not shoot some zombie scum to pieces? Yeah, I know - sounds pretty psychopathic, but keep in mind: It's fiction. And in this game's fiction you simply shred zombies to pieces. Simple as that.

First of all: It's your quasi "casual zombie massacre game". Quasi casual because it offers the possibility to descend into Zombie County for 10-20 minutes and get back to work, family, whatsoever after. If you're looking for a longer shot you may try the challanges, so it works both for those who are taking a short time out as well as those who want to get some challenging progress.
Second: It is a zombie massacre. Nothing more, nothing less. If you're looking for a thought-out plot (or a plot at all), you'll be disappointed *massively*. If you're looking for a fun, fast-paced and action-packed top-down shooter with zombies (a whole da*n lot of zombies), you're in for a gory treat.

Graphics:
The look is great. It's your typical scrapped, end of days atmosphere combined with your typical zombie settings, including the "usual suspects" as a cemetary and the obligatory gas station.
The areas of the levels/maps are pretty limited, which of course intensifies the action.
Keeping in mind that this game already has some years under its belt, the graphics are still ok (and what's important for me: working on my netbook), but not top-notch. However the atmosphere gets delivered perfectly.

Sounds & Music:
Give 'em hell - metal riffs, shots, explosions, gore & splatter - "Nation Red" delivers an absolutley convincing and genre complimentary sound design.

Gameplay:
The concept of "Nation Red" is simple, yet addictively entertaining: You'll be confronted with hordes of zombies and you'll gain experience points while shooting, chopping or stabbing through your undead enemies. Power-ups like "Bullet Time" or mines drop sporadically, alternate weapons and grenades offer some tactical variations.
The game itself is being played via gamepad or with mouse and keyboard. Shooting, evading, switching weapons, grenades - you really don't need more than these. And, granted, you don't get more options than these. So summing up: Simple concept, simple and extremly easy to master controls.

Bottom line:
If you're looking for a diverting, entertaining zombie shooter with a "casual" touch ("casual" not meant in the negative way), lots and lots of gory fun, fast-paced action with easy to grasp controls and a grand combination of metal music and booming sound fx, "Nation Red" is your game.

If you grew up with games like R-Type, you're going to love Syder Arcade. It's the classic gameplay, simple yet challenging fast-forward shoot'em up action. Switchable add-ons, mega weapons that you need to charge before using them (and keeping you on the edge of your seat while loading - will the ship withstand the enemies' fire? Will - hell, yeah - take that -> whoosh!), it's all in here.

Graphics
Side scrollers have always been titles that caught their audiences with great graphics. "Syder Arcade" is in no ways inferior to the classics. It really shines (not only) in this category. Be it the explosions, the 2.5 backgrounds, weapons, beams - this one really shines!
Fantastic extra: Of course you can play with contemporary graphics, but you can also choose from several old school modes like pixelated, greyscale, C64ish, Amiga style, CGA, EGA, VGA (320, 640) and many more.

Sounds & Music
The combination of old school- and modern styles continues. While the sound effects are rich and deep in sound itself, they're also classic for this genre. As for the music: I *LOVE* the score. Instead of using modern synths only, you'll get those awesome (and imho way more "organic") analog synthesizer sounds, too, which are genre defining not only in games, but movies as well.
@Evil Studio: Is there any possibility of getting the soundtrack? Would be a great addition to my 80ies Synth Collection).


Great Controls
Well, ok - what's to say about controls? You've got a classic 2D side scroller here featuring classic gameplay, so don't expect exczessive controller overkill. Studio Evil has done a very nice and also classic job on the controls here, so don't worry about getting entangeled in complicated keyboard layouts, just fire away. Just like the graphics: Thumbs up, guys!

Bottom line
One thing is for sure: The developers don't just *know* the genre, they obviously seem to *love* it. "Syder Arcade" is one of those rare titles nowadays, that really live up to the expecations of old school gamers (like myself) on the one hand, but can also bring good results in keeping things fresh and ready for a whole new generation of gamers.
Fantastic graphics combined with controls that are easily accessible with no troubles at all and a special treat for old school gamers, "Syder Arcade" grants a fantastic blast from the past done right, with either contemporary or classic graphis and a darn high replayability.

Martial Arts feat. Open World System - grandios gemacht! Einziger Wermutstropfen: Für die deutsche Version sind ein paar der Environmental Kills entfernt worden. Ein paar heißt aber genau das: Nur einige - es sind noch genügend im Spiel geblieben und da zudem der reguläre Gewaltgrad nicht angerührt wurde und die EKs ohnehin im Eifer des Gefechts selten ausgeführt werden, kann ich auf die paar Gewaltspitzen ausnahmsweise mal verzichten. "Sleeping Dogs" ist ein wirklich starker Titel und sicherlich für alle interessant, die mit "GTA", "Saints Row" & Co. Spaß haben.