Steam Next Fest Summer 2023 is here, and there are tons of great demos to try out. One that really stood out to me is “Laike: Aged Through Blood,” a post-apocalyptic “motorvania” where you follow a biker coyote mother named Laika on her quest for survival and revenge. Here are my first impressions from the demo.
Motorbike Gameplay
Laika, the coyote mother, is a road warrior who rides a dirtbike, and almost everything in the game revolves around this bike. I found the tutorial to be quite effective, as it gradually introduces each mechanic, allowing you enough time to practice.
Checkpoints and Mechanics
You’ll find plenty of checkpoints throughout the game. Laika can deflect an incoming bullet once and recharge this ability by performing a front flip. She can also block damage using the bottom of her bike, making it crucial to master mid-air bike balancing. However, if you land on your head or get shot, it results in instant death.
Combat Gameplay
Once you get a weapon, you’ll need to reload it by doing a backflip. The game features bullet time, and your default revolver has impressive range, compensating for the tough combat. Balancing your bike and managing deflecting and shooting take some practice, but soon enough, you’ll be pulling off impressive moves.
Early Levels
Expect to die a lot in the beginning, but quick respawns keep you motivated. The combat reminded me of “Katana Zero” mixed with early 2000s bike platformers. Surprisingly, it also brought back memories of the mobile game “Red Bull X-Fighters Freestyle Motocross” because of how the bike handles.
Core Gameplay Focus
I love when a game centralizes everything around one feature—here, it’s the bike. From movement and combat to exploration and parts of the story, the bike is integral and adds a lot of character to the game.
Art and Music
The artwork in “Laika” is stunning, depicting a Western post-apocalyptic world with monumental structures crafted by various tribes. The town overflows with small, thoughtful details, with each building reflecting its inhabitant’s personality.
The design reminded me of the comic “Extremity” by Daniel Warren Johnson, full of detailed gore. The colors and tones are similar to those in Klei Entertainment’s “Shank” series. Character designs are unique and brimming with personality, reminding me of a more gory “Mad Max.”
Despite its 2D nature and cute characters, the game doesn’t shy away from brutal visuals. Characters can be seen crucified and decorating levels with their guts after fights, and Laika herself often ends up soaked in blood, matching the world’s harshness.
Music
The music in the demo caught my attention immediately. There are a few vocal tracks used effectively, and the game even features a scene where Laika moves through an environment with a pop song playing, an emotional moment common in indie games. I loved it.
Characters and Setup
Laika’s introduction is a bit abrupt, dropping you into the world with minimal setup. We learn that Pooch has been killed by the Birds, and Jakob is missing. Laika sets out to find them both while seeking revenge on the Birds.
So far, the world-building and overall bleak atmosphere are compelling. The Birds tribe is established as the antagonists compared to Laika and her tribe, hinting at an intriguing story ahead.