Valfaris: Mecha Therion | PS4 Review

Valfaris: Mecha Therion, puts the peddle to the metal in this shredding sci-fi shmup spin-off that acts as a direct sequel to the first Valfaris game. In it you once again take on the role of god-like warrior Therion in guidance of Hekate, a ship AI that is aiding him in his quest for vengeance against his corrupted father Lord Vroll. Instead of going about it on foot with sword and gun in hand though Therion instead helms a destructive new powerhouse of a mech that wields similar armaments. It is with this flying suit of armor that he'll arm and direct destruction at anything that stands between him and revenge. 

Polygonal by design, and oriented in a dynamic yet horizontal side-scrolling shoot 'em up fashion, 'Valfaris: Mecha Therion' introduces to us once again worlds of ruin and ancient technology. A place where Lord Vroll reigns on high through his monstrous minions, and armies of half-mechanized creatures. 

As Therion you sport a mech suit this time around as you go once again into the fray. Complete with an upgradeable destroyer gun, a melee weapon, an auxillery attachment, and two modules with added enhancements to gameplay mechanics like bonus health or a charged melee throw. Using these weapons/equipment as you find and collect them will allow you the better deal with what lies ahead as each new weapon mechanic is uniquely beneficial in it's own way, and against certain types of enemies or situations.

Gunplay, in particular, varies by destroyer gun chosen and will not only effect shot type, but will also sometimes add bonuses like orbiting satellites that negate bullet hell damage, or an assisting angel that launches volleys of rockets, among other things. The same goes for the melee weapons, and the auxillery attachment that can be upgraded via the blood metal currency, and alternative special blood of Valfaris currencies obtained from hidden creatures. Each allowing for bonus damage and more effective shots per upgrade plus the bonus features inherent to them like lighting bursts, multi-targeting sword missiles, or bunker buster bombs. Upgrading, as it were, is done at checkpoints that double as health restoration pit stops between the multiple phase stages that each lead to a boss battle or a newly obtained piece of equipment.

Stages, themselves, allow for the acquisition of new weapons and equipment as well as the ability to upgrade them before you face off against the final boss of the stage. The enemy layout is static in nature with the same enemy spawn points per run, and will require you clearing waves of the lesser enemies while avoiding hazards. Harvesting their blood metal, and blood of Valfaris as you do so for upgrade sake. 

Health in the game, which is also crucial to progression, is minimalized to 3 bars of health. Leaving your mechanics that coincide with your weaponry tied to a special stamina-like energy bar that drains on destroyer gun usage. While the destroyer guns will drain the energy bar and weaken effectively like the auxillery attachments you can regain that lost energy through melee attacks on enemies and projectiles empowering them once again. Sometimes using the dash attack will net you some energy, especially when plowing through lines of the lesser kind in this regard. The dash attack doubling as a means to break through barriers. That, and the charged module melee weapon throw can have similar effects if not just to quickly deal with a line of enemies.

At the end of each stage, beyond the boss, you'll reach an end score tally detailing your various feats while rewarding you a score for that effort. Efficiency is key to maximizing this, and not taking hits at all is ideal. The only catch is that your playthrough is beholden to three difficulty settings that each pose a much bigger challenge in the way of enemy threats. You've got the Mortal (Easy), Demigod (Normal), and Great Horned One (Hard). You'll even find a New Game+ mode for applied effort. Gifting the dedicated player carry over upgrades.

The Presentation ...

Valfaris: Mecha Therion, like the original, is all about gritty bloody action accented by a heavy metal soundtrack. It is metal AF!!! It's hero Therion even takes the time to head bang each and every time he nabs a new mech add-on. Adding to the hardcore nature of the experience. Visually it is similar to the first Valfaris game, but on a more 2.5D scale with more polygons than pixels this go around. Fans of the original will still find the familiar attention to detail intact though, and the same moody lighting that accents the darkened apocalyptic future planets and biomes. There's also blood spray effects adding an element of gore to an already adult focused title. If you liked the first game this sequel will likely impress on a similar level.

The Verdict ...

Hardcore through and through this metal AF mech shmup that is 'Valfaris: Mecha Therion' delivers a proper challenge that takes traditional shmup mechanics, and gives them a new spin. Forcing the players hand to utilize all core mechanics in order to fully complete a playthrough. Replay value in it comes from the option for different difficulty settings, and a New Game+ bonus mode wherein upgrades carry over for extended play. 

Visually and audibly it holds true to the original while adopting shmup gameplay, and segmenting the game into short burst sections that lighten the struggle ever so slightly. Allowing for the learning of static enemy spawns and patterns that will need to be effectively and efficiently cleared in order to complete the game, and earn all of it's PSN trophies. Though it might be a little short lived by comparison to it's predecessor it stays true to it's new shmup identity, and plays as a competent shmup worthy of a mature metal loving audience's money!!!