Body Blows is a simple fighting game, which is both its strength and weakness. Let's go over the various points. The graphics are poor. There's really no way around it. The SFX and music is okay to good. It's retro, but you may enjoy it. The controls are pretty decent, although hit detection is a bit off. It's shallow, which both means you won't spend months mastering it, but it also means you can pick it up pretty quickly. It's definitely better for players that simply don't have much time for games. Each character has a very limited move set, and nothing is more simple to throw off than your special move. Ready for it? You hold down the button. None of that "left, right, right, punch, kick, left, three-quarter circle, kick, hold punch and kick, quarter circle" stuff here. You hold down the button and that's it. However, you can't really expect to spam special moves and little else. Each time you use it, the bar increases and requires you to hold the button for a longer period of time. Initially you can surprise your opponent with it or incorporate it into a beatdown, but after using it a few times, you need some distance or a stunned opponent before you can think of using it. I do like that. That said, character balance is poor. Some characters are better than others. Way better. Way, way better. To enjoy the game, you would have to find one that fits your skill level in order to avoid easy mode or constant losses. I guess that means that most players can find some challenge in the game, but honestly I suspect it's just poor design. Can I recommend the game? The answer is a hesitant yes. I would not buy it at full price, but it's worth looking into during a very good sale.
I will admit that the premise of the game is right up my alley. I love the "blue stripe" take on science fiction, where the protagonists aren't larger than life heroes (that probably still exist, and may cause problems for the protagonists), but rather blue collar workers and the like. Space Colony, Red Dwarf, etc. Redshirt isn't all I hoped it would be, but I did put several hours into it. The game is basically a Facebook simulator with a science fiction skin. You play a menial worker recently transferred to the station, and must make and maintain relationships while managing your career. You can shop for items or perform activities that will boosts your stats, which will help with both career and friendships, but you can skip that portion of the game too. The game isn't difficult enough that it's ever required. Speaking of that. Redshirt's difficulty curve isn't particularly good. Hard to learn, easy to master. At first the game will seem very complex with all things to balance at once, but after a while you will learn how to progress in an effortless manner. At that point, the game loses some of its allure. There is naturally still things to do. You can fill your character's home with vanity items, become a social butterfly, become a highly skilled worker, or be a troll and make everyone hate each other. It just seems as though there isn't much point to it. It all seems hollow, aided by the game's flippant descriptions. In a way, I can't fault the game for that. It's no doubt MEANT to give that empty feeling. Your character is wasting her life on Facebook (or Spacebook), when she isn't pursuing shallow relationships or performing largely pointless work. To make it all meta, the player is wasting her life wasting the character's life, which is darkly amusing if nothing else. To summarize: The good: Concept Visuals (nice and vibrant, well in tune with the setting) The bad: The mechanics Low replay value The ennui that the game inflicts. I need a drink.
