I had been eagerly awaiting MOTORSLICE, so receiving a review copy was a moment of excitement. While the gameplay loop left me feeling somewhat indifferent, it was the intricately crafted world that truly captivated my attention and kept me engaged throughout my experience.
Exploring the World of MOTORSLICE
MOTORSLICE is an action-adventure title that seamlessly blends hack-and-slash mechanics with parkour elements, marking the second release from the indie team Regular Studio. The developers draw inspiration from classic parkour games like Prince of Persia and Mirror’s Edge, while I found echoes of the Portal series woven into its narrative. The game unfolds over a roughly ten-hour storyline, where players follow P, a Slicer, accompanied by a drone named Orbie. As players control P, the camera movements are cleverly justified as Orbie’s observations, adding a layer of immersion that I appreciate in gaming.
P’s mission, assigned by a mysterious organization of Slicers, is to infiltrate “the Megastructure” and dismantle the machines within. It is impossible to discuss MOTORSLICE without first acknowledging its breathtaking world. Upon entering the Megastructure after the tutorial, I was instantly enthralled, recognizing that every vista before me hinted at future explorations.
The game evokes a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of my all-time favorite, Dark Souls, where players can glimpse both past and future locations from almost anywhere. Despite its low-poly design and simplistic terrain textures, the bizarre architecture within MOTORSLICE takes players on a visual journey, proving that stunning graphics do not solely rely on advanced engines like Unreal Engine 5.
Each area within the Megastructure introduces unique elements, from expansive walkways to narrow steel corridors and enigmatic stone-carved rooms. The game consistently surprises, culminating in a thrilling ascent up a towering spire that stretches beyond the clouds, with each level connecting back to this central point.
To navigate these sprawling, liminal landscapes, players engage in various parkour challenges and puzzles. Standard parkour mechanics such as wall running and vaulting are complemented by the innovative Motorslice feature, where P drives her chainsaw into metal surfaces, allowing her to ride along walls. This mechanic not only serves as a stylish means of traversal but also plays a crucial role in battling the colossal bosses that guard the end of each chapter.
Boss battles, while visually impressive, sometimes feel a bit rigid. Players can parry most attacks, reminiscent of the combat in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, but interactions with the bosses often feel limited to mere slicing, resembling another parkour challenge rather than a dynamic encounter. I envisioned moments where P could leap off the boss after a successful Motorslice, forcing the boss to adapt its movements, adding an extra layer of challenge to the encounters.
The game predominantly emphasizes parkour, with enemy placements designed to keep players alert and responsive. The one-hit kill mechanics for both P and non-boss enemies create a heightened sense of urgency, making mastery of the environment essential rather than relying solely on brute force.
Unveiling the Lore
While I appreciate games that maintain an air of mystery about their worlds, I felt MOTORSLICE could have revealed a bit more. P often hints at intriguing aspects of her environment, leaving me wanting more context by the end of my journey. The game features collectibles in the form of drones, which serve primarily as protective entities against enemy attacks. However, I believe incorporating snippets of lore as players collect these drones could have provided additional motivation to explore.
Despite being a largely fluid experience, I encountered some bugs that disrupted gameplay. One particularly frustrating issue left P in a state where she could only walk and jitter around, requiring a reset to resolve. Additionally, my first attempt at Motorslicing resulted in an awkward aerial glide, detracting from an otherwise exhilarating moment.
If MOTORSLICE were set in a different environment, I question whether the parkour mechanics would have captivated me as much. However, the allure of the Megastructure compelled me to persevere through challenging segments to reach the awe-inspiring conclusion. For those who enjoy challenging parkour experiences or are intrigued by the setting of MOTORSLICE, I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a try.
While I wish I could delve deeper into the parkour system, I still regard MOTORSLICE as a commendable experience. Some challenges may leave players wanting, particularly during boss fights, and there are moments where the narrative hints at something intriguing only to leave it unexplored. Additionally, certain scenes featuring P can feel somewhat awkward. Nevertheless, no other game captures the essence of the Megastructure quite like MOTORSLICE, and it excels in delivering the unique journey of traversing this vast and captivating complex.
