Butcher

Genre: Action-Platformer / 2-Stick Shooter

Players: 1

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Review:

Butcher is an Action-Platformer with 2-Stick Shooter mechanics released on PC in 2016 and ported to multiple platforms in 2017, including Nintendo Switch. And there’s no sense beating around the bush – this is a game that was clearly directly inspired by the classic Doom games, and it seems as if its creators asked themselves, “what if that, but as a 2D Platformer?”

This inspiration is clearly evident in the game’s presentation. Even though it uses 2D pixel art graphics, there’s no mistaking what the game’s creators had in mind when designing its dark, gritty, ultra-violent, bloody, gore-filled look. Heck, the level transitions even have a screen-melting effect exactly like the classic Doom games, complete with gunshot noises as your stats are rattled off at the end of the level. This presentation is finished off with an excellent soundtrack that really highlights the intensity of the game, with great themes like Old Military Base Theme, Club Fort Theme, and Boss Theme.

When it comes to the gameplay, I have to say that this game really delivers on the idea of Doom as a 2D Platformer. There’s the same quick action, the violent intensity of fights with enemies, the feeling of power as you’re blasting through hordes of enemies, and the same feeling of vulnerability when you’re low on health and surrounded by enemies on all sides. The game even makes good use of the platforming elements to do some original stuff, like having some setpiece areas that I won’t give away here, but suffice it to say there are some incredibly cool concepts here. This game is an absolute bloody joy to play through.

However, in all likelihood, you won’t just be playing through it, you’ll be breezing through. It’s not especially long (maybe a few hours), and there’s sadly no multiplayer content to get you to come back when you’re done with it, only harder difficulty modes to challenge. And unlike some areas in Doom, the levels in Butcher are pretty linear, which rob this game of the element of exploration that Doom had. On a minor note, it’s also disappointing that players can’t choose to manually turn off the auto-aim that the game uses to help players target enemies, which in a game like this feels a bit like playing with training wheels on.

Still, despite these issues, I was absolutely thrilled with Butcher, at least for the brief time I played it. If you like a good Action-Platformer, and especially if you’re a fan of the Doom franchise, you absolutely need to check this game out. There’s a lot of room for improvement here, but the foundation is so rock-solid and viscerally enjoyable that I feel like this is a game that’s just begging for a bigger, better sequel. However, until we get that game, Butcher is still one heck of a ride, even if it’s a short one.

tl;dr – Butcher is an Action-Platformer with 2-Stick Shooter elements that plays a lot like the answer to the question “what if Doom was a 2D Platformer?”. The answer to that question is apparently, “It would be awesome fun”. The game is short and there are plenty of areas where it could do with being expanded on, but even within its own limitations, it’s a thrilling ride that fans of the genre and especially Doom franchise fans should definitely give a try.

Grade: B+

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