Title: “Exploring the Depths of Laika: A Journey Through ‘Frail Thru Blood'”

In a market saturated with Metroidvanias, Laika: Aged Through Blood stands out by attempting something innovative. This isn’t to say that modern offerings haven’t made a genuine effort to differentiate themselves — Animal Well certainly proves that — yet many still seem to adhere to the same playbook. Laika rips it to shreds and tosses it into the fires of Mount Doom.

So, what sets this title apart? Fundamentally, it’s all about the movement: Laika masterfully fuses motocross gameplay with traditional Metroidvania elements, opting for expansive, interconnected environments instead of confined rooms and hallways. You are particularly encouraged to zoom at high speeds, launch into the air, and execute exhilarating flips that are sure to thrill Trials enthusiasts.

Unlike other Metroidvanias where the environment gradually fades into the background as you learn its layout, Laika demands that you keep your wits about you; one misstep can leave your bloodied body marking the terrain. It’s not just the control of the bike that requires attention — a group of ‘Chicken’ soldiers will likely be scattered throughout the landscape, eager to take you down and end your run.

Drawing substantial inspiration from Furry Max, Laika features the eponymous heroine who, as a denizen of a dilapidated settlement known as ‘Where We Live’, is the only one brave enough to venture into the Desert in search of supplies. Following a tragic event early on, Laika is compelled to undertake a perilous mission to eliminate the Chicken clan while managing her responsibilities as a mother to her young daughter, Pet.

To put it plainly, Laika presents a grim and merciless experience: dark and troubling themes are confronted head-on, NPCs speak with reckless abandon, and gory visuals occur with such frequency that it honestly makes titles like RetroRealms: Ash vs Evil Dead appear mild in comparison. Do not be deceived by the vibrant colors and anthropomorphic creatures; this is decidedly not suitable for children.

In contrast, Laika is captivating to behold. The character design and visual style are exceptional, and there’s always something vibrant to witness or interact with during your exploration; a notable accomplishment considering the desolate, post-apocalyptic setting. The quieter moments spent racing down a dirt track are greatly enhanced by a stunning original soundtrack mostly filled with vocal tracks by composer Beatriz “Beícoli” Ruiz-Castillo. We will rave about the soundtrack and assert that it may well be one of the finest video game soundtracks we’ve experienced in years; truly wonderful work.

Of course, all this would be irrelevant if the gameplay wasn’t up to par, yet as we have indicated, the motocross movement combined with the lethal encounters against the Chicken clan is thrilling. Initially, you are equipped with a simple handgun with opportunities to upgrade its modest two-bullet capacity at shops located throughout the landscape, but in many instances, two bullets at a time are all you’ll require.

Mastering the controls may take a moment, but in essence, you accelerate with ‘L’, shoot with ‘R’, balance your bike using the left analog stick, and aim with the right stick. You can reverse direction by briefly pressing ‘Y’, and this also enables you to deflect bullets if you time it just right. The controls may feel slightly unconventional for a Metroidvania, so if it seems a bit strange at first, don’t panic; it won’t be long before you’re pulling off flips and blasting the heads off countless Birds in one go.

That said, it’s an exceptionally challenging game. The very nature of the gameplay means that if you crash or get shot, you die instantly. To counterbalance this, checkpoints are generously placed, meaning you won’t have to travel very far before you can jump back into the action. Additionally, holding down ‘R’ activates bullet-time, giving you a brief window to line up your shots and pull off some of the most remarkable maneuvers. This is incredibly valuable considering that most enemy encounters will likely happen while you’re in mid-air.

Acrobatic flips often are not