Casual Games on Utomik? (Steredenn and A Bloody Night)

Casual games have always been an odd genre of video game. They surpass the obsession of mastering a fully cinematic and fleshed out game for something just to kill time. It brings us back to the quarter munching days of the arcade, but with the satisfaction of playing it in your own home. These games are usually very cheap to buy and come out in hordes. With today's full blown movie franchised games and fandom drenched offerings, one wonder if casual games are worth spending any time on. I take a look at Steredenn and A Bloody Night to investigate if Utomik's casual offerings are worth any time.

Steredenn (Pixelnest)

It's a neat bullet Hell package wrapped in 1990's DOS graphics and packed with cool weapons. You pilot a ship that brings down huge battle cruisers and wingmen. Along the way you will collect some very satisfying weapons.

Steredenn is what happens when Gradius and a iPod Shuffle have a baby. Every time you die the levels randomize and a new boss is waiting for you at the end of the level. The difficulty will ensure that you die multiple times, but do not fret. The game is not about level progression as it is about running a marathon. See how long you can last, die and play again.

Impressions: I got bored with the game after ten minutes. I wasn't as committed to the blow up baddies and then face a boss model of gameplay. It is a satisfying shoot'em up, but it won't win you over to the genre if you are not sold already

A Bloody Night (Emanuele Leoncilli)

The minute you watch the story cutscene you could surmise that this game was made on an old Sega Genesis, with a little help from Microsoft Paint. You wouldn't be wrong. A Bloody Night is low production. Over the top gore and a simple slash, block, power slash, and jump controls is what this game offers. I couldn't help but wonder how easy it is to get into. You play a vengeful knight who runs up to other knights and hacks away at them. The levels are short and the gameplay is very simple. The level map is very reminiscent of Link's Adventure Graphics. 

Impressions: I could probably chomp away at 3 or 4 levels before putting this game down. It is simple to play, but it has its limits. On the plus side, my hat goes off to the one person in charge of making this game for making some very smooth player animations.