Developer: Phoenix Game Productions
Platform: PC (Reviewed)
Genre: Action
Publisher: 3DM Games, Gone Shootin
Tokyo Underground Killer is a first-person combat game where you play as Kobayashi, an assassin who uses the power of blood to beat the many enemies you encounter.
This game is a cyberpunk neon-light inspired version of Tokyo, where you maraud the streets with your trusty katana and pick up an array of weapons as you battle through the many levels. Your primary weapon is a beautiful katana that hacks and slashes through countless enemies and can be used to block and also parry bullets. The game really leverages the assassin and cyberpunk elements to make for an almost arcade-like experience. Controls are super simple, with the ability to use the katana, dash, jump, pick up firearms, and use blood specials, which become available as you collect blood from slain enemies. The game is a gorefest, and the backdrop of a neon Tokyo makes everything feel more intense.
The art style mixes the neon backdrop with a comic book/graphic novel aesthetic, which is used to tell the story of this world and the characters you meet throughout. I loved that there are voiceovers, and you don’t have to read the dialogue yourself. As you start the game or move through levels, you’ll get cutscenes in the form of comic strips playing out a story, and pages will turn as the story unfolds. The dark, gritty comic book art works brilliantly in this highly cinematic neon Tokyo world – it almost feels like a dreamscape turned into a hellscape as you slice through enemies.
The soundtrack, voiceovers, and sound effects complement this compelling and almost too bright neon world. I have to say again, the choice of having it voiced over makes for a more immersive and cinematic experience. I love the art style and the design choice to go all in – this small piece of Tokyo feels alive and real.
Whilst the levels follow a pattern where you kill a bunch of enemies and unlock certain doors, which ultimately progress to a great boss fight, I like the straightforward, in-your-face nature of the game and getting you stuck into the combat in no time. You have the ability to customise special blood weapons, and there are skill trees that you can upgrade, but these aren’t too in-depth and complex, which fits the fast-paced nature of the game.
This is a hugely enjoyable, gory, and fun game. The world is neon and cyberpunk, with a mixture of a graphic novel feel, too. The acting and voice-overs are superb, and whilst the game is short, it’s a feast for the eyes and well worth playing. It’s epic, crazy fun.
Overall: 8.5/10
Enjoys more than the odd game, long time gamer, somewhat a technologist and everything else in between.
Also enjoys a good solid game of FIFA online. Currently PS4, XBOX 360 and STEAM.
