Otherwar (PS5) | REVIEW | A Heavenly Tower Defense & Bullet Hell Indie!!!

Otherwar, developed by kantal collective and published by Untold Tales in collaboration with Hyperstrange, is an inventive indie title that fuses tower defense strategy with intense bullet hell action. In this game, players take on the role of a guardian angel tasked with protecting the gates of heaven from relentless demonic invasions, summoning towers to fortify defenses while personally diving into the fray to smite enemies. The narrative lightly weaves in themes of celestial warfare, where hellish forces, ranging from undead trees to necromancers, push forward in waves, forcing the angel to adapt and evolve to prevent a full breach.

The game packs a variety of features that encourage experimentation, including 10 distinct tower types that unlock progressively through the campaign. These range from direct-attack options like projectile-firing emplacements to supportive ones that intercept enemy fire or slow down foes, each upgradable up to three times for enhanced power and range. Players can select up to five tower types per mission, with strict limits on how many of each can be deployed, adding a layer of tactical decision-making. 

The angel character also has a branching upgrade tree focused on boosting abilities like main weapon damage, attack speed, and special moves, earned through collected resources. In terms of modes, Otherwar centers on a single-player campaign spanning nine levels, with adjustable difficulty sliders from easy (for more forgiving health pools) to hard (for ramped-up challenges). Accessibility options shine here, including toggles for visual intensity and colorblind support, making it welcoming for different playstyles.

Content-wise, levels feature multi-path designs where enemy waves alternate routes, boss encounters with unique movement patterns and massive health bars, and occasional puzzle-like elements in tower placement to counter specific threats. Branching objectives and mid-game grinding opportunities extend the experience beyond a linear run.

The Gameplay ...

Gameplay revolves around a dynamic hybrid loop that demands both planning and reflexes. Before each level, you curate your tower loadout and skills, then enter the battlefield to place structures in predefined slots while managing a tight economy meaning resources are scarce, preventing spamming of powerful defenses and pushing for efficient strategies. As waves commence, the bullet hell aspect kicks in. 

Controlling the angel in a top-down view, you must constantly maneuver to evade diverse projectile patterns, such as homing eyeballs, spreading spider webs, or swirling leaf barrages from treants. Meanwhile, special enemies like necromancers require priority targeting to avoid them summoning reinforcements. The angel's health regenerates slowly, but death transfers a penalty to the base's heart system, which serves as the ultimate fail state if depleted. 

This creates tense multitasking, where you're building and upgrading on the fly, collecting coins mid-dodge, and directly engaging foes with your upgradable arsenal. The pace is deliberately measured. Everything from movement to bullet speeds feels deliberate and unhurried forcing proactive positioning rather than reactive chaos, though it can feel grindy when replaying levels to farm upgrades for tougher difficulties.

The Presentation ...

Visually, Otherwar embraces a retro pixel art style that's timeless and polished, with clean sprites and a classy aesthetic that evokes classic arcade vibes without feeling dated. The art direction uses stark contrasts and vibrant color pops for enemy attacks and abilities, making the chaos readable even in heated moments, while heavenly and infernal motifs blend seamlessly into the backgrounds. 

The soundtrack complements this perfectly, featuring upbeat, chiptune-inspired tracks that build tension during waves and provide rhythmic energy to the action. It's catchy and immersive, elevating the overall atmosphere without overpowering the sound effects of explosions and enemy cries.

The Verdict ...

At its modest price point of around $6, Otherwar delivers strong value as a compact yet replayable indie gem. The campaign clocks in at a few hours on a first playthrough, but branching upgrades, varied difficulty settings, and the need to grind for optimal builds encourage multiple runs, boosting replay value for those who enjoy optimizing strategies or chasing higher challenges. 

While it might not redefine its genres and could overwhelm newcomers with its multitasking demands, the unique blend offers a fresh, satisfying experience that's well worth the entry fee for fans of strategic action hybrids. If you're seeking a bite-sized title with depth and charm, it's a heavenly pick.