(Profit Margins I hate) Revenge Of The Savage Planet

What a time to play a game that leans into commentary on capitalism going absolutely wrong, this one isn't being super subtle about it either. You're literally scavenging planets for the sake of upgrades to survive, and repeating every instruction from a bot that boxes you in there.

But got to meet quota, because the company from the first game sold itself to a conglomerate that has dissolved said company, and also after dispatching for the job, pretty much fired us even. Wait, so I can choose not to play the game because it's telling me there's no point? Well no worries, it also devolves into a revenge plot too, so you can stick it to the chairman boards.

Of course, the icon roster is stupidly low, but I picked the raccoon in suit. Sure would mean a lot from my employer after waking up a century being in cryo sleep. Now I have to venture out with a chatterbox droid who won't stop talking, he needs to info dumb the most annoying way possible.

That's the game in a nutshell, it's this satirical journey of doing risky jobs, engaging against the absurd, and well, realizing all the equipment you're supposedly preordained to get by contract is left to obtain through stupid busy work thanks to corporate screwing it up time and time again. But also with a friend in co-op, so you don't have to be miserable in this task.

Except me, I did everything alone. If it wasn't for the wardrobe changes, it was because when I arrived at my home station, I literally had no furniture to speak off. In order to redecorate, I have to work my butt off earning inflated currencies upwards up to the billions.

The wildlife either is too busy minding its own business or hates me so much, I have to run away or distance myself a lot of the times. But eventually will come around after using the 3D Printer to upgrade my blaster consecutively. On this specific planet, I have to make use of using a branded soda can, and either lure the animals or make them kill each other.

If not that, then at some point I get, a Lasso, that'll help me abduct the critters, even going as far as dissecting them, but also having the option to pet them. Damn, that's pretty 'savage' you could say. Of course, the excuse for locking out of areas is that I can't do it unless I find a certain upgrade. I kid you not, I can dive, but not even swim, because I have to get the right "equipment". That Lasso took a while to get, I was literally climbing 200 feet up to find the parts even.

Sillyness is kind of what sells the adventure, too. It has this cartoonish charm, with overexaggerated characteristics and design. My own avatar even runs and jumps ridiculous. As for gameplay, if you've played Risk of Rain, and a few third person Metroidvania games out there, you're in hell.

As mentioned, the verticality involves doing a lot of exploring around the terrains. Even to the point of easily getting lost, I've had to walk back to my base in 3–5 minutes before finding teleporters, and they're not the only godsend. If you want more stamina and health, just find orange eggs. They're scattered in every planet's map. That, and the other 100s of materials for parts.

Right, where was I? I already mentioned doing research on abducted animals by dissecting them. No worries, they are well-fed and all. But the important thing is the story, where is it heading? Well, you used to work for Kindred before it got absolved by Alta Interstellar.

There's corporate espionage ongoing, with a mission to destroy the company. Led by a 300kg overbloated ex-CEO, who can't even walk for the life of him and has a robot cleaning his house. How you approach is up to you with the choices provided. If it doesn't pay, then how can I get a new bed for 40 million buckaroos? I want a ping-pong table, a kitchen even, and some other stuff. Thanks to all the stupid commercials from the TV, I'm now enticed to continuously buy.

Yeah, it's actually fun, kind of reminds me of Sunset Overdrive, but without the zany combos and skating on rails. But ways to platform, exploration becomes an increasing drive, there's many unique mechanics just waiting to be found simply by scavenging parts and building them. Best part, the droid won't have to remind you all the time, and him shutting up is a great outcome.

A total of five planets to explore, hours and hours of corporate grinding to do. If you don't enjoy satire in general, and not a fan of the first game, well I can't say this'll change your mind. But even playing alone, I had fun, I managed to get to the second planet which is a freaking desert. You can give it a try using Game Pass, though it's weird it doesn't even have friend's pass.

Check out my Substack content and maybe subscribe