Die After Sunset is a colourful and moderately-paced shooter. Furthermore, it bears a resemblance to the zany and much-loved Battle Royale title Fortnite. However, its similarities are skin deep as there is no multiplayer action, battle passes, or building mechanics.
This rogue-like endeavour was developed by PlayStark Games and published by PQube Limited. Moreover, there are elements of looting, plenty of perks, and some minor character progression. Yet, it is the sense of failure and loss that sits at the fore. As such, if you become disheartened when losing your progress, this ball-breaking game may not be for you.
Die After Sunset throws you into an alien invasion.
Aliens invading Earth is nothing new. These extraterrestrial bastards love nothing more than to probe us, experiment on us and destroy our homes. However, they always underestimate our resolve, and that’s exactly what happens in Die After Sunset.
2 heroes must prevent an army of disgusting aliens from taking over. The Murkors roll, slide, and squelch their way to victory. Yet, April and Rido will stop at nothing to save humanity. This crazy story may be familiar, but the execution and interesting stage designs prevent it from becoming mundane. Additionally, the array of perks and events keeps you busy.
5 levels, 1 run.
The gameplay loop is simple to understand. Effectively, you must complete each of the 5 levels in 1 run. If you can’t achieve this goal, your progress is wiped out and you must start again. However, the more Murkors you kill, the more slime-ridden in-game currency you’ll earn. This valuable resource can be used to upgrade your character and enhance your ability to progress further.
The permanent upgrades are one way to succeed. However, as you explore each stage, you will be invited to complete in-game missions. These quests demand that you protect an item, kill hordes of enemies, or prevent Murkor nests from exploding. If you succeed, you will be awarded a new item and a temporary boost to your character.
Each stage works towards an inevitable boss battle. These hard as nails Murkors will eat you alive. Accordingly, it is essential to complete the quests and find chests to improve your character. If you attempt to tackle a boss with no upgrades, you’ll get your ass kicked!
Die After Sunset is a vivid and colourful affair.
Though the gameplay is simple, and the action is cruel, the stage design is fantastic. The layers of colour and the interesting geography were fascinating to explore. Alongside this, the quests incorporate each element perfectly. Consequently, you’ll leap over rocks, clamber up cliff faces, and navigate an array of obstacles.
The audio matches the loud visuals. The crazy soundtrack is complemented by ear-spitting sound effects. The bang of a grenade or the zap of a laser never gets old. Moreover, the sound gets louder and more intense when you face off against each boss. This was an intelligent move that enhanced the sense of drama and urgency.
Plenty of reasons to return.
The controls were a little too jittery for my liking. Subsequently, it was occasionally troublesome to get an enemy in your sights. What’s more, it was tough to roll and aim at the same time. However, if you can adjust to the slight issues, you’ll be shooting aliens for fun.
Rogue-like titles ooze replay value and longevity. The sheer brutality of Die After Sunset will test your patience. Yet, the ability to upgrade your character and progress slowly was enough incentive to return for more. Furthermore, each protagonist has a unique style and weapon to test your skills.
Die After Sunset is a maddening game.
This genre has grown on me. Consequently, I enjoy the tough approach and the guaranteed sense of failure. Yet, Die After Sunset is particularly maddening. Therefore, you will have to be extremely patient and reserved if you wish to succeed. Even though it almost broke me, I like it and recommend buying it here! Can you save mankind? Pick a hero, upgrade your stats, and kick those aliens back into space.
