Nostalgia Mode Initiate: Looking for Modern Gems vol. 6

Okay, so this isn't traditional older ps3 or 360 title.  In fact, it's the first time i've reviewed a game that didn't have a hard copy available.  But after playing it, I feel that it deserves a slot as a true gem of a game released to the public via PSN.  I believe it is an exclusive game to PSN and if you act now, you can get it for the low low price of $0 if you are a PS+ member.  Fret not, it's only gonna run you $10 if you aren't so endowed.  Malicious is a ridiculously stylized adventure based in the genre of hack-n-slash centered around absolutely menacing end world bosses.  This game is not easy, but it isn't so challenging you can't pick it up.  Still curious? Click below and read more about it.

The only reason I even gave the game a shot was because of it being offered free of charge on the Playstation Plus service (which of course isn't free and annual subscription based).  Ever since I payed for a year of PS+ I have basically taken every opportunity to milk whatever I can get out of it.  There have been some great offers, Street Fighter 4 Arcade Edition, King of Fighters XIII, Demon's Souls, Resident Evil 5, Scott Pilgrim, Megaman 9 and 10, etc. have all been free for download at some time or another during my subscription, but this was the first one that was offered that I had not played or even heard of at some juncture.  Usually I ignore titles I don't know completely (because well...I don't know them), but this time around something caught my eye.  Quite frankly it was the combined anime art style with the shear amount of blue and black in the screenshots.  So I downloaded it, and promptly began an odd adventure.

Story:

The story is told in a rather unusual fashion.  Rather than strap on endless cutscenes and dialogue, they decided to tell it via optional conversations with NPCs.  Basically a sort of "read if interested" approach.  Not usually the way I would go about it, but considering it is a budget PSN title, I can't exactly blame them.  Malicious tries hard to play at its strengths, story telling isn't one of them.  They wanted to provide an interestingly mysterious world that might intrigue you enough to bother, but doesn't require you to.  Its a fairly good idea for a game like this to implement the story in this manner.  Clinging too heavily to a story that is boring would ultimately ruin the game, this is more of a pick up and play title, and there isn't a reason for them to bog it down with a heavy narrative that requires you to keep track of what has happened earlier.  Not everyone plays a game like Demon's Souls and wants to know what is driving all the actions of the characters.  Sometimes people just want to play a ridiculously difficult adventure game and move on.  That's what is so great about games like this, you can appeal to both of those types of gamers without having to sacrifice too much for either one.  Now, as far as utilizing conversation trees to navigate the story?  I choose not to fucking bother.  I wanted to play this game as a pick up and go action title.  And that is where I felt most enchanted by it.  But for what it is worth, you are clearly some sort of blue spirit thing using a blacknessey vessel weapon to seal up the worldly evil of japanese imagination.  Like I said, I just wanted to fuck shit up with fists made out of my cape and devastate those little fucker knights.

Gameplay:  

This game combines a lot of different elements together to form a cohesive hack-n-slash title.  It has a world select that doesn't have to be in order like Megaman or Demon's Souls, there is a Dynasty Warriors feel to the combat in that there are two attack buttons that can be alternated for various combinations and abilities, you earn new abilities after boss battles a la Megaman or Devil May Cry, the environments are vast and include varied normal enemy types and a boss all at once like a dungeon crawler without the hassle.  Its a fun and engaging system that keeps you on edge the entire fight (which often lasts at least 10 minutes).  You begin with only the most basic of abilities, basic melee combat and little homing projectiles.  You then begin your journey for abilities and achievement in any order you wish.  There is a preferred order to go about it, but there is no fun in telling you right off the bat.  I had to do it the hard way, and trust me, it was a true endurance test.  You are given only 3 continues, so if you screw up, game over.  As you defeat enemies you will earn new modes for your weapons like lance and sword, new abilities and upgrades to your current arsenal like upgraded shields and movement capabilities (like six consecutive jumps).  

Combat is insane, there is almost no breathing room in some of the more intense battles as you encounter enemy after enemy in chorus line of infinite spawns.  Each enemy you defeat gives you souls to use in combat for healing or buffing up your attack power.  It is important to have a large stock of souls so that you can utilize your full combat potential.  I tried to defeat my first boss without fighting any of the smaller enemies, I timed the boss out at about 3 pixels away from killing him and lost it all (granted I literally flew in blind due to a lack of reading how to play, I didn't even know there was a weapon aside from the projectile).  Movement is extremely important, utilizing your multiple jumps, dive, dodges, and shielding will make your or break you in every critical fight you take on, especially during the fight against the giant ship.  The combat is rewarding and varied, there is never a dull moment during each of the boss fights as there is always so many things to be made aware of.  This game is truly a unique experience to battle in, I hope that each of you gets a chance to experience something this enchanting.

Presentation:

The art design of this game is intensely calming (oxymoron?) from its gentle blues on the player to the shadowy blacks from your weapons and enemies, color is extremely important.  The environments are vast and breathtakingly detailed for such a budget endeavor not to mention they can hold a ridiculous number of enemies at any given time without sacrificing much on a performance level.  I have never seen a downloadable title at this price be as bold as this with it's expansive environments.  The music is appropriately scored with bold build ups during combat and calming melodies while idling in the main hub.  Damage to the character's clothing during combat and to the enemies during special counter segments show that the developers were willing to go the extra mile for the player to experience something great from the back of a budget game.  It is rare and needs to be respected and appreciated by all of us in order to become a standard.  

Result:

Malicious is a game with unique perspicacity.  It knows exactly what it is trying to do, and excels at delivering a complete yet consolidated experience.  Malicious joins the ranks of Journey or Fez as far as being a concise and brilliant network download title.

84% 

+ Engaging combat system with depth
+ Challenging experience
+ Doesn't bog player with unnecessary story 
+ Varied and interesting boss fights
+ $10 or free for PS+ memeber (limited time)
-  Ridiculously short game 
-  Little replay value
-  For those who wish to experience story, only available via conversation tree

This is pretty much exactly what we are looking for in a gem.  Its a game that you may have barely heard about but surprises you when you get the chance to play it.  Gems do not have to be incredible A++++ experiences, you can settle with something that is unique, challenging, and fun for just a short while.  This game will not hit any top seller lists or make GOTY (especially since it was originally released back in 2010) but it will definitely show you a new side to games that you may not have seen before.

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