Unichrome: A 1-Bit Unicorn Adventure | PS4 Review

From freebie to full fledged release Super8BitRafa's, "Unichrome" comes to consoles guns a blazin'!!! This retro run 'n gun take on the action platformer genre brings with it a ton of laughs, and a whole lot of kick assery. Playing out like an episodic version of contra you are tasked as Itchi (the Killer!?) the Unicorn to get back all the world's colors which were stolen from a group of legendary creatures set loose from a man-made prison. 

Itchi's adversary, a black unicorn with a grudge, is out to exact revenge on all humanity for being imprisoned. Collecting the colored gems from a mystic gate this devilish odd one out recruits a host of other animal-like cryptids gifting them power through the gems. Itchi is having none of it though, and is out to kick ass and take names. At her disposal is an arsenal of colorful guns, bombs, and gadgets that will help her to pursue, and deal with the problems that are within her line of sight. Mercy be on those that stand in her way ...

For a game that was originally only four stages long, for free, and only had one boss battle you get a heck of a lot in this console version. Not only do you get the complete updated collection of stages that each adhere to chapters, but you also get a buttload of extras that can make the experience as easy or as challenging as you wish from the start. The extras including a detailed menu of cheats, and feature unlocks that can be toggled on or off at will. Allowing for everything from invincibility to all characters. Also worth noting is the visual filters which allow for the turning on and off of flashy effects if that sort of thing messes with your eyes.

In the way of gameplay Unichrome comes off as being an Atari-like 1-bit indie with a sort of Contra, Castlevania, or Metal Slug inspired set of mechanics. As Itchi, the unicorn, you take your rainbow canon, and set forth to face the fiends that stole the color from the world. This entails going through perilous platforming stages filled with enemy minions, hazards, and plenty of pitfalls. Some of which are a one hit kill. Itchi definitely has to mind her health in this adventure, and she gets an initial three hearts to run and gun with. 

As she makes her way from left to right, and right to left she will be collecting some things. This includes coins for the merchant's upgrades/unlocks, new guns, POWs, and Unicorn Shoes. The coins, shoes, and POWs are themselves tallied at the end letting you know if you fully completed a stage. POWs in particular are caged animals, and will reward you with things like bonus health, and special ammo. In the way of shopping opportunities you'll find that the Raccoon merchant will afford you new guns, bombs, and gun perks for a price. Making coin collecting crucial to completion, and gunplay more varied.

At the end of each chapter, which is a series of themed stages you will fight the boss creature. A creature that is often times a reflection of one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Be it greed, gluttony, or whatever. Defeating these foes will not only get you back the color gem they have stolen, but will also reward you a new mechanic. Things that will help with stage traversal. Things like coin magnetism, and a grappling hook that is used to avoid spikes, and certain death. The ultimate goal in all of it is to best all the boss baddies including their leader the black unicorn. 

While that might offer a temporary end to the story the developer has let me know free DLC is in the plans with additional story content to expand upon the game's established lore. There's that, and planned fixes as the game does have some bugs. There will be a day one patch, and more to come if more bugs are discovered. The developer is dedicated to making this indie worth your money, and to that end I think he deserves some slack.

The Verdict ...

Unichrome is a really well made indie of the retro caliber. Taking obvious inspiration from games like Contra, Castlevania, and Metal Slug. Doing so with a minimalist 1-bt design. Allowing the simple sprite of the protagonist to aim and shoot up, down while jumping, and while crouching. Adding personality, and character to the characters involved. Guns themselves add different ways to deal with enemies which are also armed for the fight. You can swap between collected guns on the go, and use them so long as you have the ammo to spare. 

In the way of boss fights you'll definitely see some inspiration there too, particularly from the Contra series. As far as the soundtrack goes it is fitting of the wacky setup. It is also accented nicely by some really good voice acting talent. Not bad for a small studio's effort. Not bad at all. Despite it's issues, and coming patches I feel Super8BitRafa has a winner on their hands. I think it's an indie worth buying into, especially since more content is planned for free. Unichrome, in all it's rainbow colored glory, get's the Gaming Inferno's seal of approval!!! Don't miss out this Friday!!! Coming to PS4 and other platforms!!!