Critique – Slime 3K: Defy the Tyrant

Prepare to Slime humanity in a unique top-down shooter game with a twist!

The Emergence of the Genre

When something becomes popular in the gaming industry, it is inevitable that imitators will follow suit. The top-down shooter genre became extremely popular when Vampire Survivors was launched in October 2022. I recall watching it in a YouTube video of Asmongold playing it on a livestream that has accumulated 2.4 million views.

This led to a surge of similar games, both old and new, aiming to achieve success in the now-popular category. Konfa Games has developed Slime 3K: Rise Against Despot, a top-down shooter with a deckbuilding aspect, aiming to attract a fresh audience with a unique twist.

Wandering as a slimy gelatin bubble, your desire to destroy humans takes you on a destructive path of chaos and mayhem. The options for weapons and enhancements are presented in a tiered system that can be improved during gameplay, while others are obtained through leveling up. By defeating increasing numbers of humans and monsters, you will acquire additional weapon cards for your deck and discover new types of Slime to select from. You have the option to store various deck types, enabling you to consider various Slime strengths and weaknesses and include initial buffs such as speed or hit points.

What you can anticipate

The speed of gameplay is significantly lower compared to other shooter games, but then again, you are controlling a ball of Slime. The levels have borders and industrial terrain, causing movement to be more challenging as they are not open-world. Damage will be inflicted on you in the game, which is why the health bar is so large even for the standard character; you won’t be able to dodge enemies in this game. There is a wide range of foes, and in the later levels of the timed stage, the horde can fill most of the screen, with a boss awaiting at the end of each level.

The visuals and general appearance are impressive, featuring a consistent dark industrial theme maintained throughout the game. The soundtrack is simple yet fitting without being too intense. There are numerous upgrades and buffs available for selection for your card deck, providing a wide range of options for deck customization.

What is the gameplay like?

Initially, I felt irritated because of the slow pace of the game. I doubt I could press my WASD keys any more forcefully to make my Slime move quicker than my grandma on her walker. After acquiring some new cards and buffs and gaining a few levels, I managed to push through the initial stages. After that, I encountered an obstacle. I swapped out cards in my deck, reorganized buffs, flung my Slime at the wall of human scum, but still couldn’t reach the end of the timer. I enjoy challenges in games, but I dislike the need to grind for buffs to progress levels. I believe that the limited spaces hinder the gameplay as I often felt trapped, battling numerous foes with little room to maneuver.

Concluding Thoughts

In general, as a top-down roguelike 2D shooter, it has a refined appearance and unique concept compared to other ones available. It feels repetitive in a manner that usually doesn’t align with my preferred gaming style. Ultimately, it offers a basic game of moving and shooting that can help pass the time and give a sense of satisfaction when progressing through stages or unlocking rewards. If you enjoy games that require effort to unlock all the characters, abilities, and rewards, then this game is likely suitable for you as a player. The current price on Steam for early access is under $5. The comparison between investment and entertainment value is quite favorable. Many Steam users own more expensive games with significantly fewer hours played.