I wish I had come up with a better title, but I didn’t. Hey, if the developers can’t think of a better name for their game, why should I? My job is to play the game, and that I did. Blast Brigade vs. The Evil Legion of Dr. Cread is a fun, smooth ride, and it does have its merit, and yet I’m not going to sound overly enthusiastic here. Why? Let’s find out.
In 2022 we expect a lot from indie developers. We distrust big publishers, but independent developers always bring innovation into the mix. Their ideas don’t require big budgets but leave a lasting impression, but Blast Brigade vs. The Evil Legion of Dr. Cread is not a game about new. In fact, it pretty much copies every aspect of its genre, so much so that it could’ve easily been called “Metroidvania shooter: the game.” Is it bad? Not necessarily. But it leaves no space for surprises.
Blast Brigade vs. The Evil Legion of Dr. Cread tells the story of the Blast Brigade — a superteam of secret agents on a quest to infiltrate an island of an evil scientist. The plot is very 80s, but that’s the game’s whole shtick. It’s unapologetically nostalgic, even though its graphics are crisp and smooth.
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Let’s start with the positives: Blast Brigade vs. The Evil Legion of Dr. Cread controls beautifully, and each character is pretty unique. They are voiced, too, although I am not a big fan of what they have to say.
Blast Brigade vs. The Evil Legion of Dr. Cread is all about the combat, and, like the game it was inspired by, it’s not easy. Enemies are everywhere; if you die, you respawn a long way back. But the action is fast, and there are a lot of collectibles for upgrading your character.
As I said, I enjoyed blasting my enemies, but it’s the boss battles that steal the show. It’s evident that the developers put a lot of care into designing them, and fighting the big guys is never a slog. The first impressions weren’t all that good, but after a few of such battles and after I’d played with the other characters (and tried the updates), I’ve grown I like what Allods Team had to offer, but at the same time I have to acknowledge the fact that it has no lasting power or anything unique about it.
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Verdict
It’s hard to review a game like Blast Brigade vs. The Evil Legion of Dr. Cread. In short, I liked it. I like how it looks and plays, and it’s great to have a full voiceover for the plot, however silly it is. But in the end, it’s yet another indie Metroidvania that does little to separate itself from the rest.