Slayin' Review
Price: $0.99
Version Reviewed: 1.1
Device Reviewed On: iPhone 5
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The point that I'm getting at is that Slayin, which boasts plenty of retro style, is absolutely fantastic.
The developers tout it as an endless action-RPG, and it's really tilted more heavily toward the 'action' side of the equation, but it's an apt moniker. Players control one of three heroes, each with different play styles, in a side-scrolling arena. Enemies constantly spawn from above and below, and players must try to dodge them and attack them. Movement is constant in one direction or the other, and attacks become part of movement. For example, the Knight has a sword that extends out from his body, and the Wizard can turn into a tornado that attacks enemies but also allows her to travel safely through hazards for a brief moment.
Of course, as cerebral as the game sounds, it's still very much a fast-reaction type of game, and the fact that it requires both physical reflexes along with mental reflexes makes it extremely absorbing. The overall currency of fame points that's used to unlock new modes and characters can be purchased, but skilled players should have everything necessary within some time of playing the game. Still, the IAP is cleverly explained in-game as having a bard write tales of the player's fame. It's ingenious, as is the decoratable graveyard to show off one's high score.
Really, other than the fact that the field of play is really vertically small, with virtual controls taking up most of the bottom of the screen, I can't say anything bad about Slayin. It's simple yet clever, extremely fun and addictive. Buy it!