Early Reactions To Metal: Hellsinger Are All Saying The Same Thing
Metal music and slaying demons have been a staple gaming combo ever since the original "Doom" crawled out of Hell in 1993. But in 2020, "BPM: Bullets Per Minute" turned things up to 11 by forcing players to sync their demon-slaying gameplay with the metal music blasting in the background. And now, indie developer The Outsiders, led by former "Battlefield: Bad Company 2" designer David Goldfarb, is following in the footsteps of "BPM" with its upcoming rhythm FPS "Metal: Hellsinger."
In "Metal: Hellsinger," players will need to sync their gunshots and movements with the rhythm of the game's adrenaline-pumping metal songs if they hope to survive their demonic journey. And because the game's music is an integral part of the experience, "Metal: Hellsinger" features a carefully curated original soundtrack featuring iconic metal artists such as Serj Tankian from System of a Down and Randy Blythe from Lamb of God.
A demo for "Metal: Hellsinger" has been available for some time, but the full game is finally hitting shelves on September 15. Ahead of that launch, critics have gotten their hands on "Metal: Hellsinger," and they have all been saying the same thing.
Metal: Hellsinger is a delight for metal fans, but a bit short
Ben Sledge at TheGamer gave "Metal: Hellsinger" a 4.5/5, labeling it one of the best indie shooters of the year. In his review, Sledge raved about the rhythm-based gameplay of "Metal Hellsinger," saying that although juggling the game's mechanics could feel challenging, it ultimately rewards players' patience and skill. However, Sledge pointed out that the game's lack of boss variety and its bare-bones story kept it from receiving a perfect score.
IGN's Tristan Ogilvie gave Metal Hellsinger a 7/10, writing that the unique rhythm gameplay of "Metal: Hellsinger" is a joy. Ogilvie also noted that the game's original soundtrack is impressive and will be worth the entry price for many. However, he did note a lack of content in "Metal: Hellsinger." Specifically, Ogilvie wrote that a lack of boss variety, weapons, and an intricate story might make it a harder sell for non-metal fans.
Andy Brown at NME gave Metal: Hellsinger a 4/5. Brown loved the game's soundtrack and felt that its stages were unique enough with their depiction of Hell. Brown also argued that although there aren't many guns in the game, each weapon feels unique and fun to use. Brown was disappointed, however, by the game's finale and its short story that consists of only nine levels. Still, it sounds like there's plenty of fun to be had with the game's heavy playlist and fun combat.