‘Post Void’ Review (Nintendo Switch)
The Nintendo Switch might just be my favourite console ever. I’ve always been a Nintendo guy, so it’s no surprise I’m talking like this about one of those console. But part of the reason I love it so much is because of its vast library of games that has led me to trying games and whole genres of games that I have either never played before or not played for a very long time. Post Void is a new game to me but not just that, first person shooters are a genre of game I haven’t played a whole lot of in the last ten years or so.
As a teenager, I think the first first-person shooter I remember playing was Wolfenstein 3D on the SNES. A game I loved, so it’s a little surprising I didn’t play more of this style of game. Occasionally a game would come along that I’d enjoy – Goldeneye 007 and Zombi U come to mind – but I generally stuck to platformers and sports games.
When I saw the trailer for Post Void though, it got me super interested. Initially, it was the 32-bit Playstation-style visuals but also the franticness of it all. The game seemed to be all about speed, and that seemed to make it stick out from other similar games.
Post Void is relentless and unforgiving. I think my first go at the game I lasted about five seconds. That might seem laughable unless you’ve actually played the game because a sub-fifteen-second end to the game soon became very common to me. I’m by no means an expert gamer but I have been playing video games for over thirty years so I’m not completely useless either. Post Void is tough, there’s no doubt about that. I haven’t got as far into the game as I’d like to review it but it’s not without trying. I’ve put plenty of time into Post Void. Getting past the minute point for the first time felt like a major achievement!
Thankfully, and this is key to the game and what stops it being a dud, is that it remains enjoyable to play despite that difficulty level. It’s one of the most ‘just one more go’ type games I have ever played. Partly because of that short game time where you just get the one life but also for other reasons. Each time you die, and there will be many times, you are dropped into a different area of the procedurally generated levels. It takes a while to start to memorise each part of the levels but you get there. At the end of each level you get to choose one of three new ‘power-ups’ and then get dropped down ready to go again. It really is non-stop.
Speed is key. Stooping or slowing down will not help you at all. Keep moving and keep killing. Sometimes it’s better not to think too much but eventually you’ll know where those enemies are and it almost becomes instinct. I mentioned that Playstation (1)-style graphics earlier and they look great – especially if you’re nostalgic for that era like myself. They look excellent on both a big TV or on the Switch’s own hand-held screen. Even though you’ll hear the same music over and over again, it somehow works well and doesn’t become annoying. It’s perfect and in keeping with the style of the game and adds to its chaotic nature. The controls are kept simple but because of how frantic, fast and intense the game is, it’s tough to play for any long periods of time without giving your hands a rest. I played it in a hand-held mode and with a controller but it affected me similarly. Post Void is equally enjoyable for ten minutes or an hour plus but you will need breaks.
I feel a little unfair giving Post Void a score out of five without getting very far but safe to say I very much enjoyed playing it and will keep playing it to get my name higher up that leaderboard! Post Void is a lot of fun and it’s impossible not to recommend it for all types of players. Whether you have a few minutes to spare or plan an all-nighter, Post Void will have you gripped hard to that controller, shooting enemy after enemy and saying to yourself again and again “just one more go”.
