Review: Iron Meat

Initial release date: September 25, 2024

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S

Genres: Shooter game, Platform game

Developers: Ivan Valeryevich Suvorov, Retroware

Publishers: Retroware, Screenwave Media

Engine: Unity

It must be difficult to develop a new and unique gameplay experience. After all, almost any genre imaginable, including genre fusion, has been explored. All that remains is to pick an established genre and attempt to bring a new twist to it.

And this leads me to Iron Meat, a new game by Retroware and Ivan Valeryevich Suvarov that aspires so much to be Contra that you can almost taste it. So, can the new kid on the neighborhood compete with the daddy?

Run. Gun.

Now, starting with the game’s presentation, there is excellent news. The graphics style is on the retro side of the spectrum, with attractive pixel art looks on both the soldiers and the foes you encounter. Here, I must commend the visual design; the way the story is handled allows the design team’s imagination to run wild. The Iron Meat of the title takes over seemingly benign objects and transforms them into monsters, such as trucks, helicopters, and even trains. The bosses are exceptionally well-designed.

The levels themselves are also visually appealing, with conventional left-to-right scrolling, and even the ordinary foes are well-designed. And when the tagline on the store page states “gore-ific brutality,” it means it, with foes erupting into gory puddles when defeated.

The sound is also excellent, with each single gun having its own distinct sound, the enemy squishing as they are destroyed, and, best of all, a rocktastic music that perfectly complements the action. Who could ask for more?

In these games, the story is usually unremarkable, but there has been an effort to squeeze one in here, so I’ll explain.

You do not actually require a narrative.

A scientist named Yuri Markov has been doing research on the moon, as you would expect, and has been able to summon an interdimensional biomass known as The Meat. That wouldn’t be so bad, except that when The Meat consumes something, it transforms it into a new shape, whether it’s a person or an inanimate object. And, obviously, as Vadim, it is our job to take out The Meat and figure out what happened. Not an issue, right?

The gameplay itself is typical Contra fare. Starting from the left side of the screen, we must continue moving right, defeating enemies as we encounter them until we reach a mini-boss. Once they’re in the ground, rinse and repeat until we reach the level’s main boss, defeat them, and return home for tea and medals.

Of course, along the way, there are a number of perils to avoid that have nothing to do with the opponent, primarily in the form of jumping parts. I’m not sure if it’s my controller, but there appears to be a tiny delay between hitting jump and our character actually jumping, which has resulted in a few harsh words as I tumble from a platform again. This is especially difficult on the second level, which appears to be placed in an elevator shaft, where repeatedly attempting to climb upwards becomes tiresome. Jump sooner than expected and you should be alright.

However, the controls in Iron Meat are annoying, particularly the ability to lie down prone, which you will need to do to evade many strikes or shoot minor foes. You see, in order to lie down, you must push down when there is no other directional input, which is difficult in a fast-paced game. Otherwise, pressing down causes your guy to shoot at a downward diagonal, which is ineffective for dodging an attack that is about to kill you!

Form a team.

This game supports two-player couch co-op, which works quite well. I spent many joyful hours slaying nasties with my son, and the ability to split enemy aggro is beneficial. Let it be known that the difficulty in Iron Meat, even on so-called “easy” mode, is rather serious, as it throws everything but the kitchen sink at you in an attempt to finish your run. If you die and have to restart the stage, there are no ‘pick up where you left off’ options available.

Overall, Iron Meat belongs in the same category as the well-known run-and-gun classics. The difficulty is real, learning boss patterns is essential, and it’s simply plain old-fashioned fun. Give it your all; you won’t be disappointed.

Review Overview

Gameplay: 83%

Controls: 85%

Aesthetics: 88%

Content: 80%

Accessibility: 78%

Value: 82%

Overall: 81%

VERY GOOD

Summary: “Iron Meat” is a spectacular combination of platforming and combat that captivates players with its intriguing gameplay and straightforward controls. The levels are well-designed, with a good mix of challenges to keep players engaged. The visual presentation is particularly impressive, with vivid designs and immersive locations that improve the whole experience. While the game has a good quantity of content, it might benefit from more modes to boost replayability. Despite some room for improvement in accessibility choices, “Iron Meat” shines as an engaging title with great value, making it a must-try for genre enthusiasts.