WayForward recently launched Spidersaurs on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X | S and Xbox One. The game is a run-‘n’-gun-like game Contra and I was thrilled when it was first announced for console and PC. The WayForward team was kind enough to provide me with a review copy of the game on the Xbox Series X | S and my thoughts are under the launch trailer.
Lock and charge for Saturday morning cartoon-inspired run-‘n’-gun action of Spidersaurs, an original property where one or two players must save the world from an onslaught of genetically engineered dinosaur-spider hybrids. Though created by InGest Corp to provide all the meat and muscle humanity needs to end world hunger, the Spidersaurs are loose and on a destructive rampage, leaving the task to two tasty-tasting interns – punk. rocker Victoria and officer-in-training Adrian – run, jump, climb and make your way through multiple phases of exaggerated, high-octane chaos. Equipped with an arsenal of character-specific weapons (such as Victoria’s Laser Show and Adrian’s Football Rocket) and special Spidersaur abilities they acquire along the way, players will whiz through a haunted lab, a suffocating jungle, the heart of a live volcano, and Moreover!
One of the great things about Spidersaurs is the fact that there are 3 different difficulty settings. I found it very necessary because even on Medium difficulty in co-op, I really struggled. I eventually rebooted with the simplest setting (well done) and it was still challenging, but I was able to make a lot more progress. This probably says a lot about how I don’t normally play these games, but I love the art style and WayForward’s other games have fun characters and stories, so I really wanted to play them anyway. Speaking of which.
I have come to really love the style WayForward puts into their games. The art style is bright and a lot of fun, the types of stories and characters are over the top in the best ways, and the music is almost always a bang. Put all of these things together and the games often have an atmosphere that reminds you of Saturday morning cartoons. In Spidersaurs, a company created these creatures whose meat could be harvested and used to end world hunger. You have to become a punk rocker or a pizza delivery man who trains to become a cop and try to prevent them from breaking out and causing havoc because you previously volunteered to let the same company experiment on you. It is very fun and carefree.
Are there any things that could be better? Yes. I hate that you can’t go back Spidersaurs. There have been many times where being able to go back a little would have really helped. There have been a few times we’ve played cooperatively where one of us thought we were stuck and then found that you can go through the floors. Also, at the beginning of the levels there are things you can choose from (I think called “curtains”). I have yet to find any explanation as to what they are and you are left to figure it out for yourself. From what I can tell, they will occasionally fly high in a level and if you destroy it, a different effect occurs depending on what type it was. The ice one seems to be raining ice in a small area, the fireworks have broken out and I’m not sure what the last one does. A little more explanation would be useful.
Overall, Spidersaurs is a very challenging game, but a lot of fun. If you are looking for a run-‘n’-gun action, this is a good choice. Yes, there are some things I would like a little more polished, but that’s not enough to get in the way of the game. Check out if that sounds like your thing.
by Tommy Williams
Source: Geek Tyrant
