Metal Bringer, brought to us by PLAYISM and ALPHAWING, thrusts players into an intense roguelite action experience set in a perilous future where humanity teeters on the brink. Meet Suria Yugia, our protagonist stripped from slumber by the trusty robot, Bud, only to discover that the Meru Laboratory, your newfound home, has been ticking away for nearly 1,000 years. The artificial intelligence known as S.I.V.A. has unleashed its control, determined to trap humanity in a perpetual cryosleep. Combatting this threat isn’t an option for Suria herself, so we fight through robotic doppelgangers called Labors and massive mech-like constructs known as Arms.
Your initial task involves constructing your very first Labor, a process that requires assembling a head, body, along with left and right arm weapons, all while balancing factors like attack power and speed. You must weigh the importance of these attributes against the overall weight and agility of your Labor. Long-range weapons bring additional considerations, such as reload time and bullet speed. Even the color scheme is customizable, with options to modify everything from skin tone to weapon hues and visor tints.
Gameplay mechanics are smoothly executed, with the left analog stick guiding movement and the right determining your aim. The L2 and R2 buttons control your left and right arm weapons, respectively, while the X button propels you into a jump, and Square is for interactions. A strategic tap of Circle initiates a dodging maneuver. Seeking out an Arms to ride amplifies your combat potential – simply press down on the D-Pad when near to hop on. Maneuvering the camera is done via L1 and R1 buttons, and precise targeting is achieved by pressing the right analog stick, invaluable when facing multiple opponents or towering bosses.
Throughout your journey in Metal Bringer, gathering D Chips is vital. These enhance your Labor, prolonging your survival as you tackle ongoing challenges. Invest these in areas like health, defense, and weapon proficiency, for a tailor-made battle machine. To shake things up, weaponry ranges from swords and lances to machine guns and missile launchers. Each adds a unique flair to your strategy.
Acquiring Blueprints further deepens gameplay by allowing the installation of various apps on your Labour. Collecting and equipping apps mid-run boosts attributes like weapon charge speed and mobility, while also offering new apps for future escapades. These apps level up your hardware, honing in on battlefield prowess with improved combos, piercing rounds, and more.
Now, let’s delve into achievements. For trophy hunters out there, the game offers a comprehensive list crowned by a Platinum trophy. This comprises 24 Bronze, 13 Silver, and 3 Gold trophies, each demanding feats like defeating bosses, fine-tuning your Labor repeatedly, collecting numerous blueprints, analyzing apps, or achieving high-damage combos. The challenges extend to relationships with the environment, weapons, and battle tactics, maintaining a dynamic and rewarding experience.
Finally, Metal Bringer is your gateway into a futuristic roguelite realm priced at $19.99 on PlayStation 5, offering a compelling mix of customization, strategy, and action wrapped up in an enthralling narrative backdrop. So jump in, customize to your heart’s content, and take on the AI threat with your trusty Labor and Arms in this captivating roguelite adventure!
Disclaimer: This review was drawn from a PlayStation 5 copy of Metal Bringer provided by PLAYISM.