We used normal buttons and analog sticks, the back touch panel, both cameras, and the accelerometer to play on the PlayStation Vita. Meanwhile, Draw Slasher, a game developed by the Polish firm Mass Creation, demonstrates that one finger is enough to unleash a true, gory samurai-style slaughter on the console’s front screen.
When the main character returns from extensive martial arts training, he is besieged by zombie pirate monkeys. Hanzo, whatever you say, is unfortunate. This, however, is not a test for a ninja fighter. As it soon becomes clear, the size of the occurrences is far greater than a random attack in the forest. Hanzo’s hometown is on fire, and the fate of people nearest to him is in jeopardy. This is not a serious narrative about bravery, honor, vengeance, or redemption. The game’s monologues, conversations, and descriptions are all full of hilarity, yet the game’s start had me laugh the most – I missed the narrator’s hilarious interjections afterward. There are several pop culture allusions near to players, such as sensei Hanzo, who talks in the style of Master Yoda from Star Wars, and other games, such as Fruit Ninja, to which one stage is devoted. Combat in Draw Slasher appears to be simple. To play, all you need is one finger, ideally the index finger, to swipe the touch screen of the console. Draw Slasher varies from the previously described fruit cutting in that it allows the player to control not only the blade of the samurai sword, but also the complete character of Hanzo on two-dimensional, closed boards. So we’re not dealing with a collection of mini-games, but with a full-fledged action game in which we run, leap, dodge, and battle, similar to Dishwasher: Dead Samurai or Shank.
I was skeptical about playing a slasher with one finger, but Mass Creation pleasantly pleased me. Hanzo reacts quite effectively to orders given to him. It may appear that there is a tiny delay at times, but this is due to the lines being drawn far away from the hero, forcing the ninja to run a short distance before beginning his death dance. That’s why the platform portions, of which there are plenty, may be grating at times, but it’s not so much the fault of the game as it is a lack of competence. Always remember that practice makes perfect! The only criticism that can be leveled at the controls is that the hand holding the console rapidly becomes fatigued, and this manner ensures the greatest results. You may assist yourself by placing the console on the table, but no matter how you play, it’s far from optimal comfort. The opponents highlight the positive aspects of simple controls while hiding the negative aspects. There is no scarcity of cannon fodder that perishes as a result of one or more simple sword cuts. However, the game introduces armored enemies who require precise cuts in areas not protected by armor, cooks and swordsmen who cannot be attacked from the front, and agile female characters who should be tired first by dodging and waiting for the right moment to launch a lethal counterattack. Waving your finger about the screen carelessly will take you to your death rather than the stage’s finish. In addition to the typical rabble, Hanzo’s path is obstructed by the pirate horde’s commanders. They are stronger and specialize in numerous combat arts, such as weapons, explosives, sword fights, and even electric tentacles. It shouldn’t take more than a few tries to figure out the techniques for each of them, especially because each battle is built on the same, old-school philosophy: evade opponent assaults that steadily grow in frequency or strength with each strike you land on him until he dies. They are a nice diversion from the next arena, which has a crowd of regular opponents, and executing each battle flawlessly is quite a struggle that will make even the hardest individuals sweat. In addition to the sword, Hanzo possesses a range of Ninjutsu talents that he may use after beating greater opponents. As you massacre hordes of zombie pirate monkeys, you may press the screen with two fingers to conjure earthquakes that paralyze your opponents or lightning bolts that destroy everything in their path. What I appreciate best is Hanzo’s ability of fury, which allows him to slice through any enemy like butter, armor or no armor. Ninjutsu are really useful in difficult situations, but it’s a shame that the game doesn’t push you to utilize them all save for the necessary training levels that you must complete after getting them.
In addition to the sword, Hanzo possesses a range of Ninjutsu talents that he may use after beating greater opponents. As you massacre hordes of zombie pirate monkeys, you may press the screen with two fingers to conjure earthquakes that paralyze your opponents or lightning bolts that destroy everything in their path. What I appreciate best is Hanzo’s ability of fury, which allows him to slice through any enemy like butter, armor or no armor. Ninjutsu are really useful in difficult situations, but it’s a shame that the game doesn’t push you to utilize them all save for the necessary training levels that you must complete after getting them. Arcade modes: Survival and Gatekeeper round out the journey. The former requires the player to kill as many foes as possible without dying, while the latter requires the player to defend the gate against successive waves of “zombie pirate monkeys” for as long as possible. Online rankings allow you to compare your results in each of these modes, as well as the total number of vanquished opponents, but this is the only way to compete with other players. It’s a shame, considering the previously mentioned Fruit Ninja benefited much from competing “finger to finger” with other players. The developers went to great lengths to guarantee that the PlayStation Vita version of the game was not simply a careless transfer from mobile platforms. It can be seen with the naked eye. It’s brightly colored, sleek, and razor sharp. Some of the boards are considerably more stunning than others, such as the burning village in one of the levels, but none of them are awful. In summary, the graphic quality of the game is equivalent to that of many 2D action games.
The game may be finished in a single, longer sitting. There is something to return to, however the lack of internet mini-games or, for example, a cooperative option is a letdown. According to the finale, a sequel is on the way, and the makers will address the inadequacies and deficiencies of the original one. Until then, it’s absolutely worth practicing your Draw Slasher fingers.