Brave Soldier: Invasion of Cyborgs is another indie game picked up from a PC release and brought to consoles via a partnership with eastasiasoft and Rataliaka Games. However, this time it’s within the space of months, not years. The game is now available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. This Brave Soldier: Invasion of Cyborgs review will tell you whether that speedy port has been worth the effort.
As stated above, Brave Soldier: Invasion of Cyborgs made its PC debut very recently. Only in February of this year, and to a not-too-shabby response from the Steam audience. Console gamers are an entirely different audience, though. Thankfully, the game we have been given is an enjoyable, if somewhat simple, platforming shoot-’em-up.
We’re not talking Contra here. Nor Metal Slug. Brave Soldier: Invasion of Cyborgs is a relatively slow paced adventure wherein the enemies are predictable and easily outgunned. You begin with a few simple platform challenges, then platforming with enemies, a few new weapon modes and so on. Brave Soldier: Invasion of Cyborgs begins by telling you how simple it really is. Move and shoot. Don’t fall down the holes, don’t get hit by the enemies. Five levels done. What is that health bar even for?
Progress just a little further and you’ll find out. Brave Soldier: Invasion of Cyborgs is a game that’s designed around perfect runs. And while it never gets more complicated than this, it quickly and calmly upgrades the challenge. Soon you’ll be facing multiple challenging jumps surrounded by enemies and turrets that can fire in any direction. You however, can only fire directly in ahead. Get hit and you’ll lose whatever gun power-up you’ve got currently equipped. Throw into the mix mud, ice and other environmental hazards – along with some insanely over-powered bosses – and suddenly you’ve got a game.
It’s a different take on the standards established by Contra and it’s ilk. It requires precision, but in that of your movement more than your aim. You’re never going to be walking into a screen filled with bullets, but you will find the few that are there can result in an ill-fated attempt if you leap before you look.
As you can almost certainly tell from the screenshots included in this Brave Soldier: Invasion of Cyborgs review, the game has a retro style. It’s not quite as dated as 8-bit, but also not as smooth as 16-bit. Like most retro stylised games, Brave Soldier: Invasion of Cyborgs falls into that nostalgic view of 8-bit gaming, rather than the harsh reality of it. There’s nothing wrong with that of course. Some enjoy the luxury of modern gaming with a old school visual flavour.
If that’s your thing, than Brave Soldier: Invasion of Cyborgs is certainly worth a look. It’s not a game that’s ever going to wow audiences, but at the same time it’s fundamentally enjoyable experience. Those who have spent hours investing in the genre may make their way through Brave Soldier: Invasion of Cyborgs‘ 30 levels fairly quickly, but anyone new to the challenge will certainly find their patience tested on more than one occasion.
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