Laika: Aged Through Blood

Every so often, a unique blend of video games amalgamates to create something special. Golf Story combined sports and RPG mechanics to construct an unforgettable experience, whereas Crypt of the Necrodancer fused roguelike and rhythm systems to create a fresh take on the genre. Laika: Aged Through Blood aims to deliver a Metroidvania game like no other. With its Trials-influenced motorbike travers...

Laika: Aged Through Blood is a rather unique metroidvania experience that scores with very satisfying motorbike traversal, and a melancholic atmosphere that's supported by one of the best soundtracks of the year.

Unfortunately, while Laika: Aged Through Blood's general design and mechanics are near-flawless and bolstered by incredible art direction, a poignant, heart-wrenching narrative, and a beautifully melancholic soundtrack, recommending the title comes with some substantial caveats. For those who can wrap their mind around the game's unique approach to traversal, Laika: Aged Through Blood offers some ...

Laika: Aged Through Blood is a haunting metroidvania unlike any other. The blend of breakneck motorcycle combat and a harrowing story of revenge smash together to create an artistic experience few games this year can rival.

Providing you have the skill – or patience – for it, there’s a hell of a lot to like about Laika: Aged Through Blood. It’s a great-looking title with a beautiful soundtrack, an interesting world, and gameplay that is refreshingly unique. Make it through a challenging encounter unscathed, pulling off backflips mid-air to reload your guns, block incoming projectiles and take out multiple enemies in ...

Laika Aged Through Blood takes some time to get used to but offers a unique combination of gameplay styles. Still, it's not without growing pains, like button combinations not being as intuitive or the pace taking some misteps. There's still some cool ideas here in terms of gameplay and narrative that should be checked out even if you're only a little curious.

A case of not knowing when to rein it in, as Laika: Aged Through Blood tries too much, committing only to the elements which serve to muddy up what fun can be extracted.