Slain: Back from Hell


“Slain: Back from Hell. A heavy metal inspired arcade combat with puzzle elements and gore galore. Stunning visuals and true old school gameplay accompanied by the most metal soundtrack you’ve ever heard.”

So I have to admit…I was pretty hooked at the blurb for this game. Heavy metal- check. 80s/90s tribute arcade hack and slash- check. Gothic inspired storyline- check. A good amount of gore- check.
Slain: Back From Hell is what the game was always intended to be. The original version of Slain had a rocky release post Kickstarter earlier this year, with issues throughout the game play. Publisher Digerati Distribution and Developer Wolf Brew Games took on the challenge to overhaul the code and release Back From Hell, a sizeable update which was more of a re-launch of the title, giving backers the game they had wanted all along.



“Control the fate of Bathoryn, a doomed hero in a Gothic world, who seeks to liberate six cursed realms from six deadly overlords.
“He must battle his way through this blighted land, packed with gruesome pixel art foes before ascending (or sometimes descending) into a stronghold, all the while defeating fiendish traps and vile monsters alike.”

There was never a time this game did not look good… I mean we are talking all kinds of pretty for a 16 bit graphic style. Colours are vivid and enticing, attention to detail is pretty great and there’s loads of lovely blood spilling across the screen as Bathoryn’s sword carves his foes in twain. If you enjoy that faster paced hack and slash with a bit of a dark side you are sure to get some enjoyment out of this release.
Slain: Back From Hell is fluid and almost effortless in its delivery of combat. The enemies you face are varied which is refreshing. While you are offered time to become familiar with your assailants you won’t be left fighting a single kind of enemy for too long. The narrative is strong and will give you a nice push forward without being overwhelming, letting you focus on what is on the other end of your blade.



And while the gameplay is straight forward and intuitive enough, it’s the soundtrack which really brings this game into its own. The only reason you won’t be locking eyes with the screen is if you’re having a head-banging mosh fest. The development team have a real love for heavy metal and that is so evident in every faucet of the game. Just be careful not to throw your neck out.

Being a metal fan it never felt over the top, some might say there is too much heavy metal music for a game, but let's be honest, those people are wrong.....
The soundtrack keeps you moving along at a steady pace and does enough to amp you up for the next encounter.
Trust me when I say you need this, if you ever get complacent, dead, have a yawn, dead. Slain does not hold your hand in any way shape or form. The first trophy/achievement even comes from a death. You'll get through the first level relatively easy, second level with a bit of a clenched jaw, third level, if you're going to cry for mummy, please keep it down....


 Slain: Back from Hell is a great re-boot to a game that had so much promise. Fluid controls, beautiful visuals and a soundtrack you can't help but get into ensures you will remember this title long after you put the controller down. 

Slain: Back from Hell is available now on XBone, PS4 & PC

Remutha & Snoogans

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