Metal Tales Overkill is an incredibly original roguelike with twinstick shooter mechanics, and probably the best soundtrack I’ve ever heard in an indie game. That being said, I LOVE Metal. If you don’t like heavy metal as a genre, or you don’t understand metal culture, you’re probably not going to enjoy this game as much as someone who does.
The game’s plot is presented via slickly-done comics explaining what’s going on and why your character is trying to save the world and metal community. I really like this choice, as so many indie roguelikes give you a two sentence plot summary and dump you into the world. The soundtrack absolutely slams with a variety of tracks in a variety of metal subgenres from REAL bands. By using actual bands, vs. in-house music production, it lends an authenticity to the game that literally makes it better. This isn’t some gimmicky, soulless cash grab; it feels like the dev team understands what makes metal such a special and enduring genre.
The graphics are acceptable – they’ve got a cel-shaded and rather low res look, which definitely isn’t going to appeal to everyone, but they work. The controls are…a little rough. I’ll be honest, this one didn’t feel great on keyboard and mouse, or controller, but I got used to them. The procedurally generated rooms are claustrophobic, and when enemies are shooting projectiles around and dashing, you’ll probably wish for a little more space. It’s manageable, but not ideal. Thankfully, the game never sends so many enemies at you that it feels impossible.
The bosses are randomized, so each run, you’re never sure what order you’ll face them in. They come with their own theme songs, intro sequence, and their rooms are larger, their attacks more elaborate – each one feels like a big deal to cap off the level. They’re definitely a highlight of the game, and can be challenging. If you DO lose, however, you can always try again, possibly with some upgrades from the postgame store, if you have credits. In addition to the controls, this is another area I think could use some polish, as the unlocks rarely feel worthwhile, nor fast enough.
But overall, I really did enjoy my time with this stylish, if slightly rough around the edges title. If you’re a fan of roguelikes and heavy metal, there’s a lot to love here.
CLICK HERE to purchase Metal Tales Overkill on Steam.
The Chuck is a lifelong gamer who was born in Ohio, but now lives in much closer proximity to Mickey Mouse.
The Chuck has found his life to be a series of improbable and almost unbelievable events, starting when he was twenty and caught the bubonic plague from a prairie dog. He was as surprised as anyone when he found out that's something that can happen.
When he isn't gaming, The Chuck can be found enjoying baseball, (American) football, pro wrestling, and horror movies. He is most commonly seen in the company of one or more cats.
Reclusive by nature, The Chuck is (like most semi-feral creatures) reward-driven. Approach with caution and some form of treat.
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