We’ve seen several retro classics get the sequel/reboot treatment in recent years to great success. Streets of Rage 4 and TMNT: Shredders Revenge are superb examples of sequels done right, but I never imagined Slave Zero getting the same treatment.
If you’ve not heard of it, Slave Zero is a third-person shooter where you play as a biomechanical mech in a dystopian future. It was released on Dreamcast and PC in 1999. The title received mixed reviews from critics, although many fondly reflect on their time with the game.
Curiously, Slave Zero X is a completely different genre from its predecessor. The 3D environments are gone, and the game is now a 2D action Hack n’ Slash instead. It’s a gutsy change, but fans of the genre will likely be attracted to the bold visuals and gritty art style. You can check out the trailer on YouTube.
The gameplay is so far removed from the original Slave Zero that I probably wouldn’t connect the two if I didn’t know about it beforehand. Still, there’s something uniquely satisfying about slashing through a 2D brawler, and they are a ton of fun if they are made right. We will have to wait until February 2024 to see if Slave Zero X delivers. Until then, you can wishlist the title on Steam.
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