Laika: Aged Through Blood is a western-inspired motorvania set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. It is the story about a tribe oppressed by occupant forces, and the personal story of a mother coyote warrior who descends on an endless path of vengeance to take back what her people lost.
Players must carefully balance and maneuver the protagonist's trusty motorcycle through the post-apocalyptic wasteland, pulling off stunts and tricks to aid in combat. This includes performing backflips to reload weapons and frontflips to gain a temporary parry ability. The controls take time to get used to, but players who invest the effort are rewarded with a uniquely satisfying and kinetic traversal system.
In addition to navigating the environment, combat on the motorcycle is a central focus. Players use a combination of shooting, timing parries, and controlling the bike's momentum to take down numerous enemy forces. Enemies fire projectiles, forcing players to weave and dodge while lining up their shots. The ability to slow down time provides a tactical advantage for precise attacks. This blend of shooting, stunts, and high-speed mobility creates an engaging and skill-based combat loop.
The game features a number of difficult boss encounters that test the player's mastery of the motorcycle mechanics. These fights often require learning and executing specific patterns and tactics to overcome the formidable opponents. While some find these battles frustratingly difficult, overcoming them provides a great sense of accomplishment for those willing to put in the practice.
The game incorporates Metroidvania-style exploration, with players gradually unlocking new areas and abilities to access previously inaccessible parts of the world. This encourages revisiting locations and backtracking, though the lack of a comprehensive fast travel system can make this process feel tedious. Nonetheless, the thrill of discovering new paths and secrets through skilled motorcycle navigation adds to the overall sense of progression.
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