When it comes to turn-based games, there’s two key elements to consider: pacing and risk. When looking at pacing, the amount of activity that happens in a turn can determine the level of engagement of the entire game. Even though pacing is an arbitrary format, in a game where turns are the main mechanic, pacing is what players will remember the most at the end. When it comes to risk, there’s little the player can do to adjust at any point during the game, making it the defining aspect of the game. With Shift’n Slay, the focus of the game isn’t so much on its mechanics or graphics, but on strategically surviving floors.
Mechanics:
Shift’n Slay plays like a strategy game more than a turn-based game. The player must look at a level’s layout and plan offense, defense, survival, and inventory management. On the other side, the enemies appear to be zeroed in on pure offense and disregard planning, making it another factor for the player to incorporate into their subsequent moves. Overall, the game feels like playing chess against 3 players, but unlike chess, your opponents are predictable and require less for you to turn the tables on them.
All in all, the mechanics of Shift’n Slay are rather simple, but also cerebral. The game tests the player’s intellect more than their ability to secure upgrades and merely scraping by a level.
Gameplay:
Weapons and their functionality are basic, even with the unlockable upgrades as the progression, as is the combat in general. Combat is done with a firearm or with your fists in close quarter combat, with distance being either an advantage or a detriment. Ideally, the safest strategy is to eliminate enemies from a distance, however, firearms have a range limit – but changes depending on the upgrade. Ammunition is limited but restocks after clearing a level. When it comes to melee combat, the enemy will have the upper hand due to their number and this being their primary way of dealing damage.
With all this in mind, the player must decide which route they must take to eliminate every target and proceed onto the next level. As for the character upgrades, they are attained after a level, granted they provide a decent boost in either armor, or expand the range of the bullets and/or damage to enemies. In my opinion, the upgrades are thwarted by the increasing difficulty – rather the number of enemies in the subsequent level – and bring the player back to square one.
Although the game’s mechanics are simple in execution and description, the real game centers around the layout of the area/layout. Every room has walls that the player can utilize either defensively or offensively. There are also breakable objects that the player can shove an enemy into for damage.
Perhaps the most apparent element of the game is the movement: the player must select a tile to move into, and then remain there until his turn starts, similar to how a game board works. Though not exactly checkers, and not as complex as chess, this feature seems more of a drawback that ultimate hurts the experience. Nonetheless, the gameplay is unlike any other game out there, which most definitely requires a degree of patience to succeed and master.
Graphics:
The visuals of Shift’n Slay are like that of Tron and Blade Runner. The player wears an armor with decorative lights along the suit just like those from the Tron universe, and the setting is in what appears to be a dystopian future where architecture has incorporated futuristic bridges across buildings, neon signs are almost everywhere, and chaos is rooted at every corner. The smoothed-out polygon look gives the game a retro feeling while keeping the overall visuals not being drenched in blood or realism.
The simpleness of the graphics doesn’t impact the game in either a negative or positive light, but it does create a memorable visual when comparing similar games. Overall, I was a fan of the retro look and feel but wouldn’t say the game’s graphics are the biggest positive – neither negative – the game has.
Conclusion:
In summary, Shift’n Slay is a methodical action strategy game, that is, it requires equal parts brainstorming and aggression. Balancing both aspects seems tougher at first, but with enough practice, the gameplay becomes easier and novel. I would say that this game is certainly not for fans of action games, but it is definitely a game filled with action. I originally expected a fast-paced shooter game centered around speed but was instead met with almost the exact opposite. Thus, it can be considered that Shift’n Slay is aimed at anyone willing to measure their patience and strategizing,
Disclaimer: A review key was provided
