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Do you like some good, oldschool side-scrolling action but want something polished and modern? Well, Orbital Bullet has got to be one of the best choices for the job!
Despite what you might think, this plays very much like a classic 2D action platformer, it's just that the levels are glued together at the ends. Honestly, it's a very good idea that is used to great effect, with the level design, weapons, enemies and bosses all taking full advantage of this. Hitting trickshots on the other side of a ring is super satisfying, especially if you use a long range weapon and get the projectile to complete a full rotation before landing. 360 no scope takes on a whole new meaning here! It may seem like a gimmick, but it feels a lot more natural than you might think and your entire perspective (pun intended) shifts to adjust. The game stands out in the best way possible while also preserving all the elements from the classics that clearly inspired it.
From a purely technical perspective, the game is executed fantastically. The graphics are beautiful, being very colourful, stylized and energetic and the blend of 3D environments and 2D sprites leads to an awesome look that works really well. The controls are crisp and clean and you feel like an absolute god once you get the hang of them and start to learn all the enemy patterns and such. Speaking of which, the enemies themselves are very varied and interesting and they make every run exciting to play through. Like many roguelikes, Orbital Bullet enjoys being difficult and overcoming complex challenges is a huge part of the fun. The weapons themselves are also varied and interesting and fill unique roles, which is supported by the full use of the 360 mechanic and a very robust upgrade system. My only gripe is that, besides having 4 classes, it's not exactly clear how they differ besides appearance. They are supposed to focus on the 4 types of weapons, which is a great idea, but it's not clear how they differ in terms of gameplay. They all feel the same to me and they don't seem to have some sort of unique buff or anything in order to support using their defined weapons. I don't know if this is due to a lack of real mechanical difference or simply that these differences aren't explained. It's a very minor thing that doesn't detract from gameplay, but I feel it warrants a mention.
A special shoutout has to go to the soundtrack however, which is one of the standout features of the game. Man, is it ever catchy! These pumping techno beats are just the perfect partner for the fast-paced, high-octane gameplay and I often find myself just jamming to the music. Another fantastic addition to my growing collection of god-tier video game OSTs.
In short, Orbital Bullet draws clear inspiration from classic 2D action platformers and distills their key features to perfection, while also polishing them up with modern features and adding a very unique twist with the rotating gameplay. Don't hesitate and give it a shot, you won't regret it!