SlavicPunk: Oldtimer

SlavicPunk: Oldtimer gets the combat and gameplay loop bang on and I had a great time with the overall experience. Unfortunately, it misses the execution of the storyline and immersion with the irritating small text. I could only actually read this by taking a photo on 10x zoom with my phone camera, this is how bad it was on a 55-inch TV. That isn’t to say there isn’t fun to be had here though, it looks and plays fine but can be easily finished in one 4-5 hour session if you hammer through it like I did. For £14.99 though, if you’re into Cyberpunk-esque environments and you’re after a twin-stick shooter with a story that you’re not too fussed about, this one may be for you.

SlavicPunk: Oldtimer is a game that combines an interesting story with a poorly executed narrative. Its way of telling what happens makes it difficult to follow the thread of the game. The gameplay starts out very addictive, but ends up falling short as time goes by. After a few hours the absence of a system of looting weapons, equipment or improvements for our character make the gameplay into something anodyne.

The foundations are there for an interesting twist on the cyberpunk genre, but the execution falls short in too many areas. From the technical issues to the trying-too-hard writing, SlavicPunk: Oldtimer is a game that reaches for the neon-lit stars but ultimately remains grounded in mediocrity.

Despite the forgettable story and disappointing vocal performances, SlavicPunk has a rather enjoyable combat loop, even if the enemy variety is certainly lacking. While the parts that are here are wildly inconsistent, the foundation of what Red Square Games has built here is solid enough to build upon, allowing for a potentially great sequel if we should return to the fractured mind of Janus.

SlavicPunk: Oldtimer had potential with its retro-cyberpunk setting, but it turned out to be a disaster on all fronts, with its only merit being its short lifespan. The story is inconsistent, the gameplay gets the basics of the twin-stick shooter genre wrong, with some incomprehensible design choices and technical issues scattered here and there.

SlavicPunk: Oldtimer is a fairly average isometric shooter based on the works of Michał Gołkowski, specifically his SybirPunk novels. The game’s story and setting offer a pleasant cyberpunk atmosphere, shaped by the graphics, sound design, and gameplay. Unfortunately, there’s no option to upgrade your character, complete side quests, or interact more with the environment. The game is also dragged down by various bugs that can really ruin the experience. However, if you’re a fan of the genre, you might still enjoy the title, even though you’ll feel like its potential has been wasted.