Tweet
Weird as it sounds, one of the greatest things about playing a really good Early Access game is not playing it. More accurately, it's about coming back to the game after a period of prolonged absence and seeing all the stuff that's changed while you were away - all the stuff that's new. My return to Vlambeer's Nuclear Throne this Christmas really felt like Christmas, and under the tree - what's this? - a Toxic Launcher, a beautiful new gun that fires the radioactive equivalent of sticky grenades. And holding it, Horror, a beautiful new hero who looks a bit like a sticky grenade himself.Best of all, though, is yet another new hero who I'm still getting my head around. I have no idea at what point last year she was added, since Nuclear Throne is updated more regularly and more rigorously than most games. No matter: Rogue, I'm glad you're here. At least, I think I'm glad anyway.
The reason Rogue has won my heart is that she takes one of the speediest action roguelikes around, and she just cranks everything up even more. Nuclear Throne's a bit like Spelunky and a bit like Robotron: 2084. Levels are destructible and procedurally generated, but this is also a twin-stick shooter at heart: you're dropped into the middle of an irradiated wasteland filled with slobbering nasties that can't wait to eat you. Your only way through is by blasting everyone you see as they swarm and multiply - while hoping that you don't get caught in any of the explosions you may accidentally set off as you go.
Read more…
More...