S. PRYSM DESTROYER (PS5) | REVIEW | Anime Tropes Abound In This Contra-Like

S. Prysm Destroyer, releases today on the PlayStation 5 through publisher EastAsiaSoft, and developer studio MaidsWithGuns. It brings along with it anime arcade action featuring a nameless female protagonist, and her Gundam-like gun wielding partner complete with Sailor Moon inspired transformative moments. To say it was a play on every anime archetype would be an understatement.

Along with the anime inspiration comes basic Contra style gameplay that is setup like a speed run challenge with a scoring system tethered to it for leaderboard efforts. It has you running, gunning in multiple directions, lying prone, and jetpacking your way through linear platforming stages filled with mechanized enemies, hazards, and turrets. The only things saving you from certain death are a power-up arsenal, and your energy gauge that depletes upon hit. It's fairly straightforward in objectives as both scoring, and enemy clearing are your two hand-in-hand goals.

Coming in hot and loaded, S. Prysm Destroyer makes use of current generation, and retro graphics options to make it appear as if it were borne on early PlayStation hardware yet made for modern consoles. This includes scanlines, and more modern processing filters. Along with the 2.5D in-game look comes 3D models of the Gundam-like robot, and the main character. Each of which have a cel-shaded/polygonal appearance that harnesses the anime aesthetics. The same kind of design bleeds over into the mechanized animals which each have their own animated attacks that deal big damage.

As previously mentioned, the game is one of an ongoing speed run/score challenge with mild screen loading between stage transitions. As you aim to clear the stages of enemies using your base gun, or weapons/orbiting turrets that you collect through power-ups you'll make your from left to right dealing the damage necessary to defeat all enemies while dodging bullets and enemy advancement in true to Contra fashion. 

Much like the Contra series, S. Prysm Destroyer is a hard to complete experience due to limited energy, and a one death run. Losing all energy spells GAME OVER, but you can opt to retry the current stage every time you fail, if you wish to do so. Helping with the limited energy gauge are shield power-ups and health refill power-ups dropped by downed enemies. That and a prysm power-up that transforms the Gundam-like robot into a flaming sword wielding menace. These power-ups are mildly generous, and will stave off death if you play cautiously enough. Thankfully the game also feature static threats with the only random elements being the occasional respawning enemy types.

Those of you looking for leaderboard bragging rights will be glad to know that this does come with online leaderboards. It is score based, and displays the gamer's PSN ID alongside their top score. That, and their PSN avatar. For bonuses there are even unlockable cosplay cosmetics for the female character that offer up things like a maid outfit. Each earnable through in-game feats.

The Verdict ...

S. Prysm Destroyer, nails the anime aesthetic and Contra-like gameplay through and through. It is a match made in weeaboo heaven. You have your generic female anime protag who you can play dress up with using costumes unlocked simply by playing the game, and a Gundam-like partner who acts as your weapon extension with whom you will be destroying plenty of things. It's a satisfying gameplay loop with notable replay value that capitalizes on leaderboard scoring incentives, and speed running achievements. The really good thing is that EastAsiaSoft indies are always budget priced making them more affordable, even in today's economy. If you are an anime addict like myself, or you simply fancy that oldschool Contra experience then S. Prysm Destroyer is the anime mashup for you!!!