The Metroidvania genre has come a long way over the past few years, with the likes of Hollow Knight and Dead Cells shooting it into the stratosphere. But it’s awesome to see what indie teams do with the subgenre, adding their own unique ideas. TEVI, for example, is a recent example that comes to mind.
Then there’s Cookie Cutter, the devious new treat from the team at Subcult Joint LTD and Rogue Games. It’s a bloody affair centering around Cherry, an android with a grudge. She has no problem ripping through enemies like, well, cookie dough, as she sets out on a path of bloodied revenge.
Cookie Cutter certainly has its frustrations, particularly when the odds become a bit overwhelming. But fans of the genre – and gruesome, blood-curdling combat – would do well to put this on their plate.
Destroy To Save the Creator? It Balances Out
After finding herself in a nearly dead state, Cherry is resurrected, just in time to take on devastating foes in the hopes of saving her creator. But the journey is definitely as interesting as the destination, thanks to key boss encounters, incredibly good power-ups, and all sorts of cool effects that make the trip worthwhile.
Part of the gameplay’s charm lies in its inability to hold back. Why should it? Cherry is absolutely pissed at these bad guys and deserves to rip them up in creative ways. In the earlygoing, she doesn’t have much to lean on, but the parry system is excellent; and the combat does have its moments.
As you go on, however, you unlock new abilities that look absolutely bonkers, including a power drill attack that’s as visceral as you might expect. It all comes together in a gameplay system that does have its level of challenge, but also lets you unleash the kind of fury you’d expect from a character like this. Especially her super attacks. Wowsers.
Newcomers may be better off tackling a less visceral game, as Cookie Cutter’s violence can definitely be overwhelming. We’re talking the level of blood to make the guy from Splatterhouse go “What the hell?” But it’s awesome to play out if you’re experienced in the genre, and the new abilities go a long way. This is one adventure you’ll want to bake through to the end.
A Sweet Presentation
Sure, the blood can be a bit much, but Cookie Cutter still looks outstanding. The team at Subcult did a bang-up job with the visuals. Not only are the levels finely represented and filled with detail, but the animations are stunning. Watching Cherry open up with new abilities is something else, and the way enemies explode is a bit of a delight – if you can stomach it, obviously.
Along with that, the voicework is very good, the music has its moments throughout (pumping up the action as it goes along), and the sound effects are on the level of some of the very best in the genre. You’ll love the weapon sounds as Cherry goes off on foes. There’s just something brutally satisfying about them.
No, we’re not psychotic. We’re not.
Shake and Bake
How you enjoy Cookie Cutter really depends on two things – how much you enjoy Metroidvania games, and if you can stomach a bit of carnage. If you can’t handle these things, hey, there are plenty of other choices. However, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you missed this game.
It’s loads of fun, especially as you open up Cherry’s arsenal; the visuals and sound are spot on in terms of how things are presented; and the gameplay is satisfying, especially as you master the parry system. It can be tough, but, hey, that’s what makes you a…”tough cookie,” so to speak.
So, yeah, give Cookie Cutter a chance. For $20 you get a great new entry in a long-growing genre, and you’ll be doing Subcult and Rogue a service by picking it up. Not to mention it’s a bloody delicious treat.
GAMERHUB RATING: FOUR (out of FIVE) JOYSTICKS
(Thanks to David and the Reverb team for the review code!)
