BLEED 2

A rapid retro-fuelled romp

We’ve all been there; kicking back, enjoying an afternoon of gaming, when it’s woefully interrupted by a more pressing matter. Granted, it’s not normally fending off an invading alien armada, but when you’re the world’s only remaining hero, 1 what’s a girl to do?

Feisty, fuchsia-haired protagonist Wryn battles these assailants with a mix of bullets and sword swings in this frenetic action platformer that borrows heavily from classics such as Contra. Your twin pistols have unlimited ammo, allowing you to rain down a hail of bullets while dodging the plethora of projectiles headed your way. Some of these can be reflected with a well-timed sword swing, but perfecting the technique requires patience. The chaos is made more manageable by Wryn’s timeslowing power – this Matrix-style manoeuvre is not only a lifesaver but also nets you some serious cool points. Controls respond well to your frenzied antics, but the layout initially feels somewhat awkward. Jump is curiously mapped to i, while q is Taunt, and it takes a lot of practice not to merely mock incoming missiles as they do serious damage to your health bar and score.

There’s a none-too-subtle Scott Pilgrim feel to Bleed 2’s colourful style and playful tone, but instead of taking down evil exes you’re tasked with besting the Greatest Villains Of All Time, 2 and there sure are a lot of them. Levels are littered with fun and challenging boss encounters as Wyrn battles everything from samurai to giant sharks. While you’ll blast through it in no time, new modes are on hand to challenge your mastery of the engaging and inventive mechanics.

FOOTNOTES1 Admittedly, she’s brought this on herself, having done away with all other heroes in the first game. 2 The story is primarily told through a reporter, who also happens to be a flower…