Review - Blackwind

Developer: Drakkar Dev

Publisher: Blowfish Studios, Gamera Games

Available On: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC

Reviewed On: Xbox Series X

When your military scientist dad throws you into an exo-suit and off a flaming ship, you know things are bad. What was supposed to be a peaceful visit to another planet has turned into a disaster from another planet.

Fortunately, you are packing serious heat. From Drakkar Dev, the makers of War Tech Fighters, comes Blackwind. This isometric action and twin-stick shooter has a fondness for big action and big robots and provides a solid adventure, even if it is on the short side.

Ride like the Wind

Blackwind is a twin-stick isometric action game which players control an experimental exo-suit. The suit is named Blackwind, and has an adaptable AI to help players on their way through the battlefield. Blackwind has close and long-range weapons.

A wrist-mounted blaster and shoulder mounted rocket launcher provide good starting options but these options can be upgraded later. Two energy blades are tucked within the arms of Blackwind and can be used for hacking and slashing.

Aliens, Aliens everywhere

The alien forces are susceptible to execution techniques. When prompted, Blackwind can pulverize an enemy in stylish fashion for extra orbs. Enemies give out blue orbs for purchasing upgrades, green orbs for health, and yellow orbs to replenish the heavy weapon, such as the rocket launcher.

Blackwind cuts straight to he action and puts players into a high-paced action frenzy. The enemy is everywhere and fighting them with the available weapons is fun. The enemies do gain more strength in abilities, such as using stun and force shields. Fortunately, certain upgrades allow special moves for Blackwind. These include a ground pounder that can disable shields quickly and several other attacks.

Lasers go Pew

The action for Blackwind is solid. it doesn't reinvent anything but what it gets right, it does get right. Shooting and slicing feel good and the enemy variety is good as well. Between the action and presentation, Blackwind occasionally feels like a Saturday Morning cartoon I would have seen next to Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles.

Fighting is interspersed with puzzle solving and platforming. There isn't anything that will break logic but some do require acquiring a drone. Later in the game, players access a drone that can gather hard to reach items and unlock switches. Finally, there is a fast travel system for the completionists out there.

War Tech Fighters

As someone that played Blackwind's predecessor War Tech Fighters, Black Wind has plenty going for it, with the story and fast-paced combat. It's quick and easy to understand without forcing players to go through obstacles just to learn the basics. The same can be applied with it's simple story of a young teen battling his way through aliens to save his dad.

However, like most action games, the repetitiveness sinks in and sinks in quickly. There are only so many time that players can view the same death animation or fight the same variety of enemies. While they do change for later, players should expect to fight a lot of the same enemy insects throughout the first hour or two. Fortunately, the game doesn't overstay its welcome. Black wind clocks in at 4 to six hours, especially if players are chasing all the achievements.

Embrace the Blackwind

Blackwind is a short but solid isometric twin stick shooter. It's quick action, solid story, and solid presentation make this one worth getting into. It may not have the strong legs of others in the genre but it's a strong experience nonetheless, made by a developer who clearly wants to tip the hat to what he grew up on. Suit up. Your father needs saving.

BLACKWIND IS RECOMMENDED

Blackwind was reviewed on the Xbox Series X|S thanks to a key from Stride PR