*Disclaimer: ‘Post Void’ review code was provided by Super Rare Games for the purposes of this review. That being said, all opinions expressed in this review are entirely that of the author. *
If ever there was a game that deserved to be in the arcades, then Post Void is it. Wearing its nostalgic influences on its sleeve, it harkens back to a pre-Y2k era of video game violence and wanton madness that is seldom seen anymore. In a race to stay alive, Post Void offers an acid-induced rush to the finish of maddening proportions. With your life on the line, there is no time to be idol-ing about…
Kill or Be Killed
Post Void is Super Rare Originals‘ third published title, following on from last year’s adorable platformer, Grapple Dog, and most recently the roguelike, Lone Ruin. Now with Post Void, they have perhaps the most insane approach to a first-person shooter under their belts (and that’s a good thing). Developers, YCJY have gone above and beyond in creating an intensely frantic experience that can only be described as a complete and total assault on the senses (and again, that is very much a good thing).
The premise is simple. No sooner has the game loaded that you find yourself in the world of Post Void. A series of tight, procedurally generated corridors decorated in garish wallpaper and nauseatingly bright carpets. In your right hand is your starting handgun, which can later be changed to a knife, shotgun or uzi. In your left hand is a glass idol steadily dripping a mysterious white liquid. This represents your life, so it is important that you keep it topped up.
How do you do that, you ask? By shooting or slashing every enemy in sight. As you run through these corridors in the hopes of reaching the shining oasis and a new perk at the end, you’re leaving a trail of blood and destruction in your wake. This must be what it feels like to play Hotline Miami in first-person.
Before you even get to see the title screen, you’re thrown into a tutorial that teaches you everything you need to know in less than five minutes. You’ll be sliding, shooting, slashing and screaming through the corridors to reach your salvation, all the while making quick split-second decisions about when to dodge, run or blast your way through.
Sensory Overload
Graphically, Post Void feels like the lovechild of Doom and an MTV commercial from the 90s. Taking place in a 3D environment, the 2D character models feel like terrifying drawings come to life. The enemy designs look as if they’ve come straight from the mind of Hunter S. Thompson in some LSD-laced hellscape. They’re grotesque malformations of men in suits, creatures with huge mouths to chomp on you, drones that blind you with their shots, and many more. The visuals are at home on the Switch OLED, with the vibrant colours of Post Void’s liminal corridors popping beautifully.
Despite its maximalist approach, Post Void thrives in the minimal and acts as the perfect pick-up-and-play game. While it could easily be enjoyed on a TV or monitor as a home console, it fits right at home with the handheld aspects of the Switch. When I needed a quick break from working, I was able to grab it and go a few rounds, comfortable in the knowledge that I could play for a few minutes before getting back to it.
With only 11 stages that players will quickly breeze through, it isn’t the longest game in the world. But, its replayability more than makes up for it. You’ll soon find yourself wanting to jump right back in to climb the leaderboard or attempt to beat your record of kills or runtime.
The Verdict
Post Void’s frenetic gameplay is best appreciated in short, sharp bursts. While the sensory overload is by far the game’s best and most recognisable feature it can, after a while, start to feel a little overwhelming with the abundance of bright, flashing graphics. However, developers YCJY have considered this with their appropriate disclaimers after loading it up. Players will quickly discover that there is no such thing as just “one more run” and will want to claw their way to the end, leaving a trail of blood pixelated blood in their wake.
Our Score: 4/5
Post Void is now available on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.
Words by Jack Roberts
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