Apple Slash | PS4 Review

What's black, white, and red all over? Apple Slash! I know you thought I was going to say newspaper, but this little indie is actually all of those things too. With a black background, a white bordered maze, and red outlined monsters this 8bit minimalist action RPG comes to life in the most interesting of ways. Featuring an adventuring knight with a sword who finds himself facing an invasion of monsters Apple Slash makes itself at home on the PS4 console. Venturing out with a sword in hand at the behest of his brother the hero of this tale must slash his way through mobs of respawning blobs, and other attacking creatures as he solves puzzles, and gain abilities that will help him progress forth to the root of the problem or mystery, if you will.

Driven by character interactions, puzzle solving, and melee combat Apple Slash's story unfolds in a brilliantly animated fashion. As the game's resident knight you carry sword in tow as you make your way through a winding labyrinth of pathways. Paths that have puzzles, and blockades that must be cleared to move forward. That as well as NPCs, and combative creatures which will both aid, and hinder your progress depending upon motives. 

As the knighted protagonist you have on hand a swinging sword with which you can perform a rapid slash attack in front of you by using the right thumbstick to aim your direction, and spamming R1 to attack. Making your way from your homestead into the fray you will also happen upon treasure chests containing new sword abilities. These abilities include a smash, charge shot, and boomerang attack that can actually be combo'd into. Swapping between the three base sword types requires a pressing of R2. Once a sword skill is used it will go into a cooldown phase with a counter, and once the counter counts down all the way the sword skill will be able to be used again. Some of the additional sword skills also aid in the various puzzle solving situations. Adding flames which can clear briar pathways, for example. Outside of that abilities not related to your sword like the flies that connect bridges will help you on your journey as well.

In addition to the combat, and puzzle solving mechanics there is also a seed collecting mechanic that plays into the hero's apple shaped health gauge. As you kill enemies they'll drop seeds which can be collected. Seeds can also be collected from broken pottery. With 50 seeds in your possession you can press and hold down "SQUARE" to refill a portion of your apple health gauge. Allowing you to stave off death a while longer. Supposing you do die from damage taken you will respawn with currently obtained weapon upgrades, and puzzle items back at the last checkpoint you made it to. Checkpoints are plant-like structures scattered about the large maze-like map which bloom, or retreat into the ground upon approach.

Part of the gameplay loop in Apple Slash also involves conversing with, and interacting with key NPCs. By slashing at them you'll trigger a text bubble where they'll either add to the ongoing story, give you quests, or gift you useful items for your efforts. Through NPCs, and puzzle elements you'll gain access to the abilities, and items need to complete your adventure. Quests you'll run into along the way vary, and include things like switches that must be activated, a certain number of certain things that must be killed, and even the collecting of keys to help gain access to sealed gates. There's a good variety of things to do as you make your way through the maze world of Apple Slash. 

The Verdict ...

Simple yet brilliantly designed is Apple Slash. This indie action RPG, as it were, offers a fresh take on the genre, and dares to impress through it's well thought out, but simple design. The mechanics are easy to pick up on, and there are tutorial-like guide stones strategically placed along the way to help you better understand some of the unsaid features. Beyond that though there is really no hand holding, and it is in that lack of mission clarity that you'll find the delightful side of the exploration experience before you. There's plenty of curious NPCs to interact with, and plenty of curious locations to gaze upon. Each of which adds a sort of 'Alice In Wonderland' appeal to the already odd world that the hero inhabits. It'll keep you interested, and engaged up to the end, and reward you handsomely with some easy to secure PSN trophies. For $4.99 it's a steal of a deal, and easy to recommend. Don't miss out!