Steredenn (PC) Review

If you aren't a fan of retro aesthetics, this isn't going to do anything to change that. It has all the traditional 16-bit graphics to satiate the retro lovers out there; and while it does this as the umpteenth game in the last few years to use this look, if it's something you enjoy, it's a blessing. It uses tight pixel art; almost to the point that seams are indistinguishable.

The gameplay itself seems to have a bit of an identity crisis. The difficulty rapidly jumps from pulse pounding to rather lackadaisical; sometimes multiple times in the same level. In fact, the bullet hell moniker isn't readily obvious. Frequently, the intensity ascends and descends much too rapid for the player to get any real sense of progression. This is because of the random enemy generation, and that the levels themselves never feel like a progression.

The core gameplay mechanic of shooting and dodging attacks, works as close to perfection as possible. The movement is fluid and highly responsive, and the precision means the death is largely a matter of skill. The learning curve is also low enough, that dying is only a constant for a short while. Even the most inexperienced shooter gamers should find themselves getting good at the game quickly, and without too much frustration.

Beyond the main story, there are three other modes to explore, including a daily challenge and an Arena mode. Steredenn is not an overtly deep title, though, and many of the experiences recycle themselves. This can be as discreet as enemy layouts, to as obvious as the same boss fight occurring at the end of two waves. This may not be very deep, but it still manages to retain its value, even after completing the primary game.