Before I begin writing out my thoughts on this game, and I got a LOT to say, I must flash this disclaimer image on screen:
With that out of the way, a DISCLAIMER: I had put in a request to review the game-in-question a few months. Matt of Terminals.io (the platform I got the code from) was kind enough to check up on me to make sure I had coverage planned for this game. I got a (busy) life outside of gaming, but thanks for checking up on me, Matt and co. Shout out to Super Rare Originals / YCJY Games for the code, by the way!
INTRO
I first played Post Void a few weeks ago. on my Nintendo Switch OLED (portable mode). It dropped me into the gameplay tutorial that explained the controls and mechanics, of which there were few to know. (More info to be explained in the Gameplay section). Basically, there’s a Void that takes the literally-faceless protagonist(?) from one part of “Sanctuary” (NOT to be confused with the Sanctuary from the Diablo games) to another, and so on and so forth. From there, the game begins and so does this review.
STORY
The story features a Void, and a trippy alternate dimension where you got to try to escape to sanctuary before nameless corporate-looking fellows with guns kill you. Clearly, more is shown to you as you slowly but surely progress from stage to stage, but I had to quit playing after just about an hour or so of playing. And besides, since it JUST came out on consoles, I would not want to spoil the experience for you story-minded people out there reading this. I’ll explain why I stopped so early in the Gameplay section.
GAMEPLAY
Before I continue, I MUST preface this section by saying that if you’re the SLIGHTIST bit sensitive flashing lights, psychadelic imagery & so forth, please stop reading and consult a doctor before reading past this point, much less playing the game. IF you’re still interested in this game, the controls are pleasantly simple to get accustomed to, though the difficulty will throw you (like it did me) for a loop, especially as soon as the first actual stage.
Now, I’m not vulnerable to seizures myself, but flashing lights still hurt my eyes (which are sensitive). I suppose I got no one but myself to blame for playing this game with full knowledge of my Vision issues from the past, but the developers included a potential SEIZURE-INDUCING sequence of images upon either losing at any point/winning the final stage.. It’s difficult and fast-paced above all else, and speed subsequently matters, contrary to the tutorial. While DOOM Eternal is also fast-paced, that game generously eases you into the fast-paced combat of Earth, Urdak, and Immora with progressively-increasing hordes of demons and enemies. You also unlock tons of weapons and abilities as that game goes on to make demon slaying easier and more efficient. In this game, you’re a walking glass cannon that dies super easily.
CONCLUSION
In closing, Post void is a short game, with speedrunners beating it in under an hour. The imagery is intense, disturbing, fast, and - as a result - seizure-inducing. The combat, though, it extremely satisfying once mastered. For those with epilepsy or poor eyes, PLEASE use extreme caution when buying this game. Though, at a median price of $3.00, this game is worth it, I suppose. And, to the developers, PLEASE tone down the fast-paced imagery next time, or more preferably, patch the current game with a “slower-speed” setting regarding the images.
FINAL SCORE: 6/10
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