Blazing Chrome

Last updated

Blazing Chrome
Blazing Chrome AC
Blazing Chrome cover art.jpg
Developer(s) JoyMasher
Publisher(s) The Arcade Crew
exA-Arcadia (AC)
Producer(s) Thais Weiller
Designer(s) Danilo Dias
Programmer(s) Iuri Nery
Artist(s) Danilo Dias
Composer(s) Dominic Ninmark
Tiago Santos
Motoaki Furukawa (AC)
Engine GameMaker Studio
Platform(s)
ReleaseJuly 11, 2019
Genre(s) Run and gun
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Blazing Chrome is a run and gun video game developed by JoyMasher and published by The Arcade Crew. The game was released on July 11, 2019 for Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The game is set in the post-apocalyptic future of 21XX, following a war that nearly kills off the human race. A robot army rules the world, and attempt to destroy the remnants of humanity. The game follows a resistance group who fights back against them. Players can control two different characters: Mavra, a human resistance soldier, and Doyle, a robot reprogrammed to fight for the resistance.

Contents

Blazing Chrome received generally favorable reviews from critics, being frequently compared to the Contra games. In 2021, an enhanced version titled Blazing Chrome AC was released in arcades on exA-Arcadia.

Gameplay

Blazing Chrome is a side-scrolling run and gun with gameplay similar to Contra and Metal Slug . Players take on the role of resistance fighters Mavra and Doyle, fighting off robotic enemies across multiple levels. [1] It can be played single-player or in a two-player local cooperative mode. [1] There are six levels in total; four are already unlocked, and two have to be unlocked. Players can run, jump, and dodge. [2] There are four weapons in the game: a machine gun, a grenade launcher, an energy whip, and a particle cannon. [3] Players are equipped with a machine gun at the start of each level and can pick up more weapons as they progress. [4] Melee attacks are performed if a player attempts to shoot an enemy at close range. [4]

Players can only be hit once, losing a life if they are shot by or touch an enemy. [5] The amount of lives that players have depends on the difficulty selected at the start of the game. [4] Three different assist robots can be collected in each level. Only one bot can be equipped at a time. [6] Attack bots fire when the player fires, increasing the player's damage output. Defense bots shield the player, allowing them to take two extra hits before breaking. Speed bots increase the player's movement speed and fire rate. Speed bots also give players the ability to jump twice, allowing players to access hard-to-reach areas. [7] Equipped bots and weapons, excluding the machine gun, will be dropped if the player dies. [7]

Blazing Chrome AC

This arcade version adds the playable character Zaku from Oniken, another game by JoyMasher. Zaku plays more like a melee character but can throw long range grenades. Motoaki Furukawa, the music composer of Konami's Super Contra, composed a new soundtrack for this version. [8]

Development

Blazing Chrome was developed by Brazilian game studio JoyMasher. After the first trailer for the game was released in March 2018, [9] a game demo of Blazing Chrome was featured at PAX East 2018 held in April, showing off the game's mechanics. [10] The Arcade Crew released a gameplay preview on June 28, showing two players riding hoverbikes and fighting enemies on a train. [11] [12] [13] Blazing Chrome was released on July 11, 2019, for Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, [14] and later for Amazon Luna on November 19, 2020. [15]

JoyMasher primarily took inspiration from the Metal Slug and Contra games. Developer Danilo Dias, a fan of the games, wanted to combine the mechanical bosses of Metal Slug and the "speed and frenetic style" of Contra. The game's backgrounds were influenced by Irem games such as Gun Force 2 , being designed to look "ruined and extremely detailed". [16]

Reception

Blazing Chrome received "generally favorable" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic. [17] [18] [19] [20]

Alex Santa Maria of GameRevolution praised the game's challenge and presentation, but criticized the "unforgiving" difficulty curve and "outdated" control scheme. [5] Nintendo Life 's Ollie Reynolds agreed that the game's difficulty was "brutal", though he praised the gameplay, visuals, and "spectacular" boss battles. [6]

Push Square 's Jamie O'Neill gave the game 8/10 stars, lauding the art, unlockable characters, and set pieces, but also wrote that the difficulty of the genre "may be off-putting". [2] Windows Central reviewer Asher Madan described Blazing Chrome as "one of the best" of its genre, praising the visuals, controls, and level variety. Madan felt that the game had a "steep" difficulty curve and criticized the campaign's short length. [24]

Jeffrey L. Wilson from PCMag recommended the game for its co-op gameplay, visuals, and variety of power-ups and weapons, but was disappointed by the lack of online co-op and an issue with the game's platforming. [1]

Will Borger from GamingBolt rated the game 9/10, commending the art, design, and soundtrack. He likened the game to Contra, writing that Blazing Chrome "captures the feel" of the game, but also felt that it could be frustrating. Borger concluded his review by calling Blazing Chrome a "loving tribute" to the Contra and Metal Slug games. [7]

Destructoid 's Chris Carter was impressed by the bosses and called the sound design "superb". Carter ended his review by writing that it "pays extreme homage to the Contra series". [21]

Hardcore Gamer's Chris Shive noted the influence that Contra had on the game, and described Blazing Chrome as "fun to play", but believed that the game did not "bring anything new" to the genre. [22]

Neal Ronaghan from Nintendo World Report gave Blazing Chrome an 8/10, positively comparing it to Contra while praising the style and feel of the game. Ronaghan felt that the game was hindered by the occasional slowdown, and believed that using high scores was "functionally meaningless". [23]

Notes

  1. Score based on 14 reviews.
  2. Score based on 17 reviews.
  3. Score based on 8 reviews.
  4. Score based on 15 reviews.

Related Research Articles

<i>Metal Slug 4</i> 2002 video game

Metal Slug 4 is a run and gun video game for the Neo-Geo console/arcade platform created by Mega Enterprise along with Noise Factory and Playmore. It was released in 2002 for the Neo-Geo MVS arcade platform, and is the fourth game in the Metal Slug series. Two years later, Playmore published Metal Slug 4 for consoles.

<i>Operation C</i> (video game) 1991 video game

Operation C is a 1991 run and gun video game by Konami released for the Game Boy. It is a sequel to Super Contra, and the first portable installment in the Contra series. Operation C features gameplay and graphics similar to the Nintendo Entertainment System versions of Contra and Super Contra.

<i>Metal Slug 3</i> 2000 video game

Metal Slug 3 is a run and gun video game developed by SNK. It was originally released in 2000 for the Neo-Geo MVS arcade platform as the sequel to Metal Slug 2/Metal Slug X. The music of the game was developed by Noise Factory.

<i>BlowOut</i> 2003 run and gun video game

BlowOut is a 2003 run and gun video game developed by Terminal Reality and published by Majesco Sales, released for the Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube.

<i>Thrillville: Off the Rails</i> 2007 video game

Thrillville: Off the Rails is a theme park simulation video game developed by Frontier Developments and published by LucasArts. It is the sequel to the 2006 game Thrillville. The game was released worldwide in October 2007.

<i>Metal Slug 7</i> 2008 video game

Metal Slug 7 is a run and gun video game developed by SNK Playmore for the Nintendo DS. It is the seventh and final title in the main Metal Slug series. It marks the first game in the main series that would be released without an arcade version. The game was released in 2008 for Japan on July 22 and North America on November 28 by Ignition Entertainment.

<i>Hard Corps: Uprising</i> 2011 video game

Hard Corps: Uprising is a run and gun video game developed by Arc System Works and published by Konami for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3. The game was released digitally on Xbox Live Arcade on February 16, 2011 and on the PlayStation Network in March 2011. In Hard Corps: Uprising, the player assumes the role of an elite soldier simply called Bahamut, along with other main characters. Konami has added three additional player characters via downloadable content.

<i>Super Contra</i> 1988 video game

Super Contra, known as Super Contra: The Alien Strikes Back in Japan, is a run and gun video game by Konami, originally released as a coin-operated arcade video game in January 1988. It is the sequel to the original Contra and part of the Contra series. The game stars Bill Rizer and Lance Bean as they are sent to thwart another alien invasion from the vicious Red Falcon.

<i>Contra III: The Alien Wars</i> 1992 video game

Contra III: The Alien Wars is a 1992 run and gun video game developed and published by Konami for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). It is the third home console entry in the Contra series after Contra (1988) and Super C (1990) for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). In PAL regions, it was retitled Super Probotector: Alien Rebels and the player characters were replaced with robots. The player is tasked with fighting off an alien invasion of Earth across six stages. Four stages feature side-scrolling action traditional to the series while two are presented from an overhead perspective. It is the first Contra title to have been directed by Nobuya Nakazato who later directed other games in the series. He designed Contra III to feature more comical elements, a more cinematic soundtrack, and tighter stage design than its predecessors.

<i>Cars 2: The Video Game</i> 2011 racing video game

Cars 2 is a 2011 racing game based on the 2011 film of the same name. Originally announced at E3 2011, the game was released by Disney Interactive Studios on all major platforms in North America on June 21, 2011, and in Australia two days later. The game was released in Europe on July 22, 2011. Versions for the Nintendo 3DS came out on November 1, and the PlayStation Portable released in November. The game features an array of Cars characters competing in spy adventures, as well as racing. The game received mixed reviews from critics.

<i>Skylanders: Giants</i> 2012 video game

Skylanders: Giants is a 2012 video game in the Skylanders series and a direct sequel to the 2011 game Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure. It features the voices of Kevin Michael Richardson, Greg Ellis, Peter Lurie, Steve Blum, Dave Wittenberg, Carlos Alazraqui, Kevin Sorbo, Bobcat Goldthwait, Patrick Seitz and Julie Nathanson. As the title suggests, it features larger Skylanders known as "Giants", along with other new gameplay mechanics. 16 new Skylanders were introduced, including 8 "Giants": Bouncer, Crusher, Eye-Brawl, Hot Head, Ninjini, Swarm, Thumpback, and Tree Rex.

<i>Contra: Rogue Corps</i> 2019 video game

Contra: Rogue Corps is a run and gun twin-stick shooter in the Contra series developed by Toylogic and published by Konami. It was released on September 24, 2019 for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One.

<i>Override: Mech City Brawl</i> Fighting video game

Override Mech City Brawl is a mech-fighting video game developed by The Balance Inc and published by Modus Games. It was originally released for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows in 2018. In 2019, the game was ported for Nintendo Switch. As of September 2022, all digital versions of the game has been delisted and are unavailable for purchase. Physical copies are still available.

<i>Death Road to Canada</i> 2016 video game

Death Road to Canada is a 2016 roguelike video game developed by Rocketcat Games and Madgarden, and published by Rocketcat. Set during a zombie apocalypse, the player attempts to guide a group of survivors from Florida to "the last zombie-free nation" of Canada. The game released for Microsoft Windows, OS X, and Linux on July 22, 2016, with later releases for iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

<i>Valfaris</i> 2019 video game

Valfaris is a 2D action platforming game developed by Steel Mantis and published by Big Sugar. The game was released for Windows and Nintendo Switch on October 10, 2019, and later for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in November. Merge Games distributed the physical copies of the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions in November 2019. Amazon Luna version arrived in December 2020. The game's soundtrack was composed by former Celtic Frost guitarist Curt Victor Bryant.

<i>Kunai</i> (video game) 2020 action-platform video game

Kunai is an action-platform video game developed by TurtleBlaze and published by The Arcade Crew. The game was released on February 6, 2020 for Windows and Nintendo Switch. In the game, the player controls Tabby, a robot tasked with defeating Lemonkus, an AI that nearly causes the extinction of humanity. In July 2020, The Arcade Crew partnered with Limited Run Games to release physical copies of the Nintendo Switch version. The physical copies were released in October 2020. The PC version received generally favorable reviews, while the Nintendo Switch version received mixed reviews.

<i>The Persistence</i> 2018 video game

The Persistence is a survival horror video game developed and published by Firesprite. Originally released for the virtual reality headset PlayStation VR in July 2018, the game was released for PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One in May 2020. An Enhanced version of the game was released for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S in June 2021.

<i>Little Noah: Scion of Paradise</i> 2022 video game

Little Noah: Scion of Paradise is a 2022 action role-playing game with roguelike elements developed by Cygames and Grounding for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Windows. Versions for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S released in 2023.

<i>Mighty Goose</i> 2021 video game

Mighty Goose is a run and gun video game developed by Blastmode and published by Playism. It was released for Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S. The game follows Mighty Goose, a bounty hunter travelling across the galaxy to defeat the Void King.

<i>Exit the Gungeon</i> 2019 video game

Exit the Gungeon is a 2019 bullet hell platform game co-developed by Dodge Roll and Singlecore Games and published by Devolver Digital. It was released for iOS through Apple Arcade on September 19, 2019, for macOS, Windows, and Nintendo Switch on March 17, 2020, and for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on November 13, 2020. A sequel to Enter the Gungeon, players take control of one of four playable characters as they attempt to escape the collapsing Gungeon. The game received mixed reviews on release.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Wilson, Jeffrey L. (12 December 2019). "Blazing Chrome (for PC) Review". PCMag . Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 O'Neill, Jamie (2 January 2020). "Mini Review: Blazing Chrome - JoyMasher's Homage to the Best 16-Bit Run-'n'-Gun Games". Push Square . Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  3. Parijat, Shubhankar (23 July 2019). "Blazing Chrome Interview – Run and Fun". GamingBolt. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 Freiberg, Chris (24 July 2019). "Blazing Chrome review: a love letter to a golden age". Den of Geek . Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 Santa Maria, Alex (11 July 2019). "Blazing Chrome Review: Contra-ry to modern convenience". GameRevolution . Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 Reynolds, Ollie (11 July 2019). "Review: Blazing Chrome - A Truly Amazing Contra Tribute That 2D Fans Will Adore". Nintendo Life . Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Borger, Will (12 July 2019). "Blazing Chrome Review – Hard Corps". GamingBolt. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  8. "BLAZING CHROME AC". exA-Arcadia. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  9. Romano, Sal (14 March 2018). "Metal Slug and Contra-inspired Blazing Chrome announced for PC". Gematsu. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  10. Khan, Imran (9 April 2018). "The Best Indie Games Of PAX East 2018". Game Informer . Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  11. Geller, Jacob (28 June 2018). "New Trailer For Contra-Inspired Blazing Chrome Kicks All Sorts Of Robot Butt". Game Informer . Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  12. Romano, Sal (18 March 2019). "Blazing Chrome coming to Xbox One, boss trailer". Gematsu. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  13. Khan, Imran (14 November 2018). "Contra-Inspired Shooter Blazing Chrome Arriving In 2019, Also Coming To Switch". Game Informer . Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  14. Romano, Sal (24 June 2019). "Blazing Chrome launches July 11". Gematsu. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  15. New on Luna+: Blazing Chrome , retrieved 18 December 2022
  16. Wong, Alistair (8 June 2018). "Blazing Chrome Developer Talks About Its Contra, Hard Corps, & Metal Slug Inspirations". Siliconera . Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  17. 1 2 "Blazing Chrome for PC Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  18. 1 2 "Blazing Chrome for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  19. 1 2 "Blazing Chrome for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  20. 1 2 "Blazing Chrome for Switch Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  21. 1 2 Carter, Chris (14 July 2019). "Review: Blazing Chrome". Destructoid . Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  22. 1 2 Shive, Chris (11 July 2019). "Review: Blazing Chrome". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  23. 1 2 Ronaghan, Neal (11 July 2019). "Blazing Chrome (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  24. 1 2 Madan, Asher (3 August 2019). "Blazing Chrome is quite possibly the best Contra homage game ever made". Windows Central . Retrieved 5 May 2022.