It’s hard to describe the concept of Post Void, so we’re not going to even try.
It’s much easier to describe what it simply is, which is a fast-paced first-person shooter with roguelike elements and a trippy style. Post Void basically puts you in control of an idol-holding maniac. It’s not just any idol, though: that idol contains your life force that is steadily dripping away. To refill it, you need to kill any enemies that cross your path. But be careful, as any attacks they land on you will deplete your idol of its fluid that bit faster.
There are just 11 levels for you to complete in Post Void, and if you’re a gaming god, you could be done with them in mere minutes. That’s not likely to be the case, though. You move through them at a breakneck pace, and being randomly generated each time, they’re never exactly the same. Your goal is to locate and dive into a pool, refilling your health and taking you to your next arena of death. And as a reward, you’re allowed to choose an upgrade.
The first stage is perhaps the hardest to beat in Post Void. Starting out with just a pistol, you hurtle forwards with the world warping around you as if you’ve taken some kind of illegal substance, which makes scoring headshots a little tricky, especially with a controller. But if you do manage to make it to the end, your first upgrade can make a world of difference. Being able to reload your gun quicker, for example, is really beneficial here. But if you’re offered a shotgun, you’re really in business.
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As you progress through Post Void‘s levels, their layouts get more complex, and new enemies are added into the mix, too. It’s a game that very much keeps you on your toes. You scramble to find the exit, trying to dispatch the foes that get in your way efficiently to keep your idol topped up. Fail, and it’s back to the beginning of the game you go. There are no second chances here and no permanent upgrades. You either get good or go home.
It makes for a game that can get very repetitive, and fast. But at the same time, the speed and brevity of the action means you might return to it time and time again, albeit in short bursts. It’s the kind of game you can play when you just have 10 or 20 minutes to spare. And then there’s the price to consider: Post Void may be more than twice the price on consoles than it is on PC, but when that’s still only £4.99/$5.99, you have something of a bargain on your hands.
Post Void won’t be for everyone: you only need to look at screenshots or watch a short amount of gameplay to realise that. But for those into fast-paced retro shooters that offer a great deal of challenge, it’s very easy to recommend, especially given its price. It doesn’t have complex mechanics or a deep story, but those are its strengths. This is all about offering short bouts of intense action with a style that makes you feel like you’re on a bad trip. And at that, it succeeds with gusto.
Post Void Review – GameSpew’s Score
