TL;DR summary at bottom

I don't write a lot of reviews but when a game leaves an impact I want to at least say something positive about it. I got this game as a gift for Christmas from a friend and at first didn't think nothing of it, especially as I know I'm pretty clumsy with controllers at times with faster paced games like this. But now that I have gotten through most of the game, it is so far one of the best games I've played in a fair bit.

Bleak and grim, the story might not be for those looking for something more warm and fuzzy, but it leaves an impact through the development of its characters. Laika's motives are completely understandable which gets revealed through the main story but also through side quests that don't feel tacked on but develop the relationships that Laika has with her community.

The game also doesn't straight up tell you everything, leaving quite a few mysteries you'll have to ponder yourself (unless I get some more resolutions by the time the game ends for me), but I found the mysteries intriguing and making me want more.

For those of you who watch the trailer and wonder if they can handle the action of riding a bike, running and gunning, I was worried too at first, but the game is good at working in more complicated areas while giving you plenty of time in previous zones to practice. It also has a mode that makes it more accessible to those who might have problems colliding with obstacles and dying from them which makes the game easier as you just have to worry about dodging bullets.

Difficulty on the normal mode frustrating at times, but the fair sort of frustrating and you can feel yourself getting better quickly as you make it through a difficult part or stages of a boss as you develop new strategies. There are also frequent checkpoints to keep things from being too frustrating and having to start too far back.

The graphics are also gorgeous and the small cut scenes that the game puts in here and there really add character to the game. Combined with the graphics is a fantastic soundtrack which you can keep expanding in the game through musical collectibles AND you can go through your collection and play your favorites while taking down your enemies in style.

Now, there are always some negatives to each game. I thought the combo system wasn't as explained as it could have been which is a way that can help increase your 'money' intake, and one level in particular (one to do with ships as to not spoil anything) left me the most frustrated out of any of the areas in the game and the boss of the area I felt almost needed a checkpoint system since it was a rather slow fight in itself. Also, while there is fast travel system in the game, the map is so vast the fast travel points can be a bit far apart and make backtracking for sidequests a bit monotenous.

Finally, and this is just on a personal note, I think it's wonderful to have a female protagonist that who is a total 'girl boss' for lack of a better word. The issues dealt with in being a woman in the world in Laika I think are handled really well and it was great to play as a strong female protag over a standard male protag.

Overall, well worth a purchase and an excellent game from this indie dev! I look forward to what they have in the future and I hope they take the formula from Laika to make a game, that might not be set in the Laika universe, that builds on what I found so successful in this wonderful adventure. I hope you enjoy as much as I have!

Pros:
-Beautiful graphics with occasional fantastic cutscenes
-A wonderfully long list of fantastic voiced music to go along with the adventure
-Characters feel fleshed out and you can connect with them
-Offers intrigue and mysteries in our the world became the way it did in the game
-Frustrating at times but in a good way and has an accessibility option to make the game easier for players
-Level designs are meant to slowly get your skills up as you play till you feel comfortable with the game mechanics
-Lots of sidequests, but none of them felt tacked on, but had a purpose for either Laika personally, her villagers or the ones she loves.
-Frequent checkpoints
-If you like a more grim and dark story, this might be the type of game for you.
-Good dialogue
-Strong female protagonist

Negatives:
-Could use more explanation on the combo system
-Fast travel sites could be closer together or more numerous to help make backtracking easier
-One zone (the ship zone, you'll know when you get there) could be designed better as it was frustrating to navigate and the boss was frustrating due to dying sending you all the way back to beginning of the fight and as it is a slow fight it can make you feel like you've lost a lot more time compared to the more fast paced boss fights.

Laika: Aged Through Blood is an exceptional experience that stands out as a unique entry in the Metroidvania genre. It delivers a gripping narrative, striking artwork, and solid mechanics, though it occasionally stumbles in its execution.

The story is one of the game’s strongest aspects. It manages to pull you into Laika’s journey, creating an emotional connection that makes the finale genuinely impactful. The dark and heavy themes add weight to the narrative, though there are moments when they feel a bit overdone, as if the game is trying too hard to emphasize its bleakness. That said, the inclusion of moral complexity, like the dissent among certain birds against their authoritarian government, adds depth to the story and enriches the world-building. These rebellious undertones are even reflected in the enemies you encounter, creating a more layered and thought-provoking experience.

Visually, the game is a feast for the eyes. The artwork is stunning, with beautifully designed environments and characters that feel alive and immersive. It adds an atmospheric charm that perfectly complements the game’s somber yet compelling tone.

Mechanically, Laika: Aged Through Blood is rock solid. The game nails the essence of Metroidvania, rewarding players who take the time to explore its richly crafted world. However, some of the more powerful upgrades are reserved for the late game. While this is a design choice to maintain balance, unlocking these earlier might have made for an even more rewarding progression through the middle stages.

Despite these small flaws in my opnion, the game shines as a well-crafted experience with satisfying gameplay and a protagonist who’s easy to root for. It’s a journey worth taking, and its emotional weight lingers even after the credits roll.

If you’re a fan of Metroidvanias with a strong story, beautyfull artwork, and a sprinkle of moral commentary, then! Laika: Aged Through Blood is worth every moment. Just be ready for an ending that will touch your hearth.

Laika: Aged through Blood is a diamond in the rough.

While dirtbike stunt games and metroidvanias are fun on their own, combining the two and adding an incredibly strong narrative, soundtrack, and art direction was nothing short of inspired.

Overall the gameplay is phenomenal, combat is a tight puzzle of shoot before you're shot in the vein of classic Westerns, and the various gimmicks that define areas keep things feeling fresh throughout the game. Controlling your bike, your weapon, avoiding shots, and making sure you stick the landing can be overwhelming to some players, but to those who take time to learn the game it can feel immensely badass.

While you're out being a badass, you're never alone. You check in with home every so often, and the village Where You Live is host to a variety of loveable characters, all of whom you can do sidequests for. It goes a long way for establishing the setting, the stakes, and making you realize this isn't just some individualist revenge fantasy--this is someone with the power and skill to fight for her community, turning revenge into liberation as far as she can see it through.

The writing overall has very strong and well executed themes of anti-colonialism and anti-imperialism, through drawing stark contrasts between the consumerist authoritarian empire and the humble mutualist people of your village. While the overarching themes made me step back and go "wow" the connection to the characters in the world and Laika's own journey was enough to bring me to tears at least three times as the game loaded an emotional gut punch and let it fly, no holding back.

Graphically, the art is gorgeous. Everything is beautiful and crisp. Locations are distinct while still feeling cohesive, and character design is top notch. Animations feel crisp and lend a lot to the feel of gameplay, from a letterbox style vignette when shooting, to viscera flying, and even to when you faceplant by accident.

The music is some of Beicoli's finest. I think this is actually a great place for her style, and she does a great job between the in-universe mixtapes and less diagetic boss music. It gives the entire game a contemporary, soft western feel, which lends an undercurrent of emotionality to everything even as you're delivering death, red and visceral to the birds that wronged your people.

The worst I can say about this game is there felt to be a little bit much repetition, and it could have benefited from another area or two in order to mitigate the feeling of backtracking, especially when doing quests. Some areas are also more frustrating than challenging, and I can see players falling off after a certain boss fight or two. There is also a bit of a crunch when entering the final act, and it feels like we should have been able to play our way to a city rather than simply teleporting there. Finally, the boss music for the final boss was underwhelming, trending ambient like the other boss fights rather than the fanfare I would have expected given the circumstances of the fight.

If you like metroidvanias and don't mind some challenge here or there, and greatly appreciate strong narratives with great art and sound, this one is for you.