Is Double Kick Heroes Worth Playing?

Double Kick Heroes is a simple set of ideas: mixing heavy metal and zombies, and the rhythm game genre with a shooter, all in what feels like a lost episode of Metalocalypse. Sometimes it is the simplest ideas that create a great idea, and, along with an excellent trailer, certainly had me pumped for the game. I knew I was in for sure, though, when the blurb used the term Gundillac. It’s the vehicle of death the player rides in while raining down mass destruction, but also my new favorite name for anything.

This adventure is about survival on the highway while monsters give chase, and the introduction promises a high-octane ride, but it could be overrun by a few small problems other than the undead.

The title focuses on those ear-splitting basslines and its apocalyptic setting, as demonstrated by the gritty intro video that introduces everyone to the band. I have to admit to being a sucker for games where the lyrics are talking about the action on screen so pointedly. The aesthetic was nailed here, with an awesome atmosphere, even against a dull color pallet and small sprites. The art does what it needs to with some memorable visuals —love those boss designs— but the backgrounds will run together eventually. What dialog there is in the story mode can be funny, surprising, and a bit crass, which kept me somewhat interested.

The great music you hear throughout is energetic and motivating. It not only sets the tone, but feels like a character itself at times, thumping away as the true pulse of the experience. If that genre of tunes isn’t to someone’s liking though, or these tracks eventually get tiresome, I was glad to see that it is possible to add custom tracks — a feature that is sure to extend this title’s life expectancy.

“Only the power of metal can save your band!”

Double Kick Heroes was developed by a team calling themselves the Headbang Club, and either they are constantly trying to remain in character, or as true to metal as the fictional counterparts they’ve created. I love how much of their advertising involves cursing and keeping the tone of their project. They seem invested in the work, as it began as part of a game jam and continues to grow. Double Kick Heroes is still in early access at the moment, but looks to have big plans, and perhaps a promising future for those who truly enjoy the gameplay.

It’s simple, only a few buttons, stacking on to the mechanics in an easy, slow progression. That doesn’t mean the game is a pushover though, as the difficulty can ramp up quickly and the player is often overwhelmed. It’s about speed and hitting the buttons on time, alternating correctly, and feeling the rhythm. It isn’t just about how fast someone can tap, as missing or pressing the button too many times is the big penalty causer here and leads to a game over. They even suggest using an arcade stick or some Rock Band equipment for better controls, but I didn’t have any of that lying around; still easy to feel the music, though.

It might seem a little too simple, but that won’t matter to those who give it a real chance. Part of the restriction here is that the game creation session the title came from originally required the developer to design something that only used two buttons. The team could have changed that, but I appreciate the focus on core gameplay and sticking to an idea. Making it any more complicated could have turned some away or cut down on part of the enjoyment if handled poorly.

The game is quite fun at times, even when I got far enough that I began dying often, but I imagine there is going to be some fatigue. This thing might be better in small doses — you don’t want to rock too hard. It began to strain my eyes some though and I’m not sure I could play it for too long in one sitting. The intensity in some parts will make some players want to keep on going, and the ability to add custom music as well as wanting better scores will give a few people all the reason they need to replay the title, but I am afraid for many it’ll be forgotten.

With it needing so few buttons and not being graphically demanding, I can’t fathom why this isn’t a mobile game. It feels like the perfect distraction on the go, as long as sound can be utilized without bothering people around them. With such a good premise though and my only real concerns being personal fatigue and remaining interest, I can safely say I may be visiting this particular heavy metal-inspired world again soon, once it is out of early access.