Tesla vs Lovecraft (PC) Indie One Shot
While it's a bit late, I am super excited to write this review, what should have capped off my 10tons week last week. Tesla vs Lovecraft is their brand new title, available right now only on PC through Steam, and it's a ton of fun. So let's jump into this review (so I can go back to playing!)
Prepare yourselves to walk in the shoes of the great inventor, Nikolas Tesla. On the eve of revealing his latest invention, tragedy strikes when his laboratory is burned down. Who's at fault? None other than the author, H.P. Lovecraft. He claims that Tesla's latest invention will bring the entire world to the brink of peril, and he did what he did to stop it. Now, Tesla is hell bent on revenge, using the author's book and his own inventions to fend off the insanity that is happening around them.
A twin-stick shooter, played from a top-down vantage point, Tesla vs Lovecraft is non-stop madness as soon as you drop into the first level. You are free to move about the stage, picking up weapons as they spawn around you. Anything from handguns and revolvers to shotguns and tommy guns.The ammo for these weapons is unlimited, however they do need to be reloaded so plan for that moment of recovery.
There's also a slew of power-ups that will spawn in the levels, which can be your saving grace if you're getting backed into a corner. Each level has the same goal : eliminate all enemies before they kill you. There's no tricks, no shortcuts, just fight to stay alive until you're the last man standing. Enemies can present in many different forms, some moving faster and throwing weaker attacks, while others lumber slowly after you but can pack one hell of a wallop.
What's really cool with this game, is the inclusion of Tesla Mech. The main item is a six-piece mech suit that you can assemble by finding the pieces for it as they drop into your levels. Once assembled, you'll temporarily be piloting the giant machine, which comes equipped with two massive guns for arms that will turn anything in front of it to swiss cheese.
The other mech (or gadgets) revolves around special weapons that can give you a power boost like the X-ray,or everyone's obvious favorite, the Death Ray Gun. But honestly though, with the monsters chasing you down, you'll take and use anything you can just to keep yourself standing. As you progress through the waves of enemies, you'll earn experience points which stack into levels. With each level you gain, you can apply a new perk to Tesla. These cover extensions to his health, sharpening your bullets for extra attack damage, the ability to move faster, withstand more damage...the list goes on. These perks are a ton of fun and are a real helping hand when you get them.
Lastly, Tesla has a really cool teleport move which is just as much fun to use as it can be to control. Triggering it will shoot you in whichever direction you're moving, and if you allow it to fill up, you'll have three of these available to you at once. Let yourself feel like the pied piper and lead every single enemy into one corner, then teleport through the horde and start hitting them from behind.
I have to admit, I got hooked on this game before I even got to play it. The last twin-stick game from 10tons, Crimsonland had me addicted within my first hour of playing that, so hearing that they were pushing another game out in the same area...I was ready.
Personal bias aside though, this game really is fun, and a great play. Clashing these two great minds, Tesla and Lovecraft, against each other is probably any nerd/geek's dream come true, and 10tons did an amazing job with this game. It's fun, it's fast, and it is most certainly not going to be easy on you but you will enjoy it. And if you don't have access to a PC to play it, don't sweat! This game will eventually be seeing a release to console so you will get your time to shine!
Rating : 9.5 / 10
Developed and Published by : 10tons LTD
