With so many games centering on a male hero tasked with saving a damsel in distress, it’s refreshing to see Developer and publisher Mega Cat Studios turn the concept on its head with Lethal Wedding. A top-down run-‘n-gun with some RPG elements, Lethal Wedding looks ready to deliver a unique game premise with some classic shooting action for Genesis owners.
Mega Cat Studios has crafted a game reminiscent of Konami’s classic Zombies Ate My Neighbors but with its own brand of weirdness (and a lot less undead). Just as young Joanne was about to tie the knot with her fiance, a group of clowns crash the party and abduct the groom-to-be. Guns in hand (a lot of guns), Joanne sets out to save him with her mother-in-law Shelly joining a quest that spans over 30 levels, The pair can wield everything from the explosive “Gun of Roses” to the hilariously-themed “Hare Trigger,” which fires bunnies. There’s also a roll-evade mechanic for dodging enemy fire, and while it’s a bit stiff in this build, it has potential to make the gameplay more fluid.
While the focus is squarely on the shooting action, Lethal Wedding adds some strategic depth with the “Vow System,” an interesting dynamic that challenges players to take on risk-reward scenarios for upgrades after each stage, like Speed Reload or improved mobility. For instance, agreeing to face enemies with increased damage and speed can dramatically alter a level’s difficulty but net some awesome rewards. The vows are random in each level and range from simple tasks like finishing a level using only the base weapon to real challenges like moving super or slow or having a single hit point. The only issue I have is that there isn’t currently a way to track your progress with each vow, which can make completion a bit tricky. Say you have to eliminate a certain number of enemies before completing a stage. Without a progress indicator, it can be hard to track how many you have left. The game is still early in development, and Mega Cat Studios has said that things can change before it ships, so hopefully they’ll refine this system a bit more to make it easier to follow.
At the end of each level, your performance is evaluated across several metrics, including time and kills, which are straightforward, as well as less obvious categories like flex, nerve, and bonus. These additional metrics seem designed to reward different play styles, accommodating both players who prioritize speed and those who prefer a more methodical approach. Your score, which doubles as experience points, is the currency for unlocking upgrades. Enhancements cover a wide range, such as boosting damage against specific enemies, improving mobility, upgrading your primary weapon, or earning extra experience. According to Mega Cat Studios, there are 25 upgrades obtainable through the Vow System to ensure that no two playthroughs feel identical; however, not all upgrades are immediately accessible, and you’re limited to selecting a maximum of two perks per run. At the moment, the system feels a bit limited, as they don’t seem to really scale with the endless waves of enemies you encounter. Again, things could change before the final version ships.
The game’s story is told through humorous cut scenes that tap into themes of family dynamics, wedding stress, and criminal chaos. I like games where the characters in co-op aren’t just two random heroes thrown together to shoot things, and here they have a vested interest in their mission. Also, the conversations between Joanne and Shelly give them some personality and make me more interested in guiding them though the game. I wish there were a bit more customization for the ladies overall, but I do like what’s included thus far.
Lethal Wedding was first announced back in 2019, but rather than rush out a mediocre product, Mega Cat Studios is giving it the time it needs to be something special. That’s the reason why the Kickstarter campaign slated for last November was pushed back. The extra time should give the development team what it needs to give the game more polish.
With its bold characters, innovative mechanics, and humorous premise, Love in Chaos is shaping up to be a refreshing, action-packed indie title. I found the demo to be a great mix of fast-paced gameplay and bizarre narrative. We’ll be watching to see when it’s ready and keep our readers posted with the latest details. In the meantime, check out the trailer below, download the demo, and take down some clowns.
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