Angry Henry And The Escape From The Helicopter Lords: Part 17: The Re-Reckoning Review

Angry Henry and the Escape from the Helicopter Lords: Part 17: The Re-Reckoning really is the perfect name for this game. It’s crazy, dumb, funny, entertaining, kind of sloppy, and truly original.

Players control Henry. He’s angry because he must run, jump, and shoot forever, and he decides to unleash his fury on the ones who cursed him: the Helicopter Lords. These evil, anthropomorphic helicopters have personalities and unique level layouts like Mega Man's Robot Masters. Hop across whale backs to take down Walruscopter, or wipe the smug look off of Popecopter’s face. The visuals aren’t “good” per se - they’re like an insane Microsoft Paint explosion - but the absurd designs of these bosses are definitely the high point.

There are only five levels (one for each Helicopter Lord), but Angry Henry is so tough beating it won’t be quick - also much like Mega Man. Henry perpetually runs forward, firing at the ever-present Helicopter Lord along with its infinite gaggle of minions. Player swipe the right side of the screen to aim and tap on the left side to jump over pits. Once in the air, players can scream to push enemies back by tapping the screen again or actually screaming. Finally, continue to hold down and Henry will fall slower and safer. Players must master all of these techniques because the game is relentless and one mistake means instant death. But the frantic frenzy is fun in an extreme arcade way. The fast, intense chiptunes music adds to the general coked-up vibe. It’s like something out of the original Mortal Kombat or a 16-bit basketball game.

But there are a few slight annoyances holding Angry Henry back. Since death is so frequent, the constant commercials quickly become grating, even with the few parody ads for “Angry Henry’s Chainsauce.” Plus the game’s alternate weapons are so creative, like the rapid-fire laser gun or chargeable chainsaw cannon, that it’s a shame there aren’t more of them.

Still, a game called Angry Henry and the Escape from the Helicopter Lords: Part 17: The Re-Reckoning could only be great crazy or awful crazy. Fortunately, it’s the former.