I think I “might” have found this year´s craziest indie title yet. I´m talking about Das Humankapital´s ultra gory post-apocalyptic 2D platform shooter “Atomic Butcher: Homo Metabolicus” (for Windows, MAC and Linux). A game which made me think of a combination of “Soldat,” “Life Force” and the old (and gross) 16-bit platform game “Boogerman.” Still I have to say that “Homo Metabolicus” looks even gorier and more gross than all of those games combined though (at least by the looks of the very first gameplay trailer). There is also a post-apocalyptic feeling to the game as well (I don´t know why, but that part made me think about “Toxic Crusaders“). And I can´t really say that I stumble over games such as “Atomic Butcher” all that often either. In fact, it´s been about 10-15 years since the last time I saw anything quite like “Homo Metabolicus”.
So I really like what I´ve seen from the game so far, and there are some truly neat features to be found in “Homo Metabolicus” as well. Like the 360° aiming feature for example (you can shoot from all angles), or the reactive environments feature (you can use fire, electricity, fluids and the wind to your advantage). Besides that, the devs has also stated that there will be a lot of secrets, hidden goodies and Easter eggs to be found in the world of “Homo Metabolicus” (that should keep us occupied for a while). Other than that, you (the player) will also have to survive a handful of surreal post-apocalyptic stages (every stage is full of deadly traps and mutants).
So what is the plot and goal of “Atomic Butcher” then? Since the world has clearly ended in the game (the world is now full of cannibalism, mass madness and deadly mutants). Well, you actually play as a mutated human (Homo Metabolicus) who is out on the hunt for some fresh human meat to feast on (it´s an “almost” endless quest in “Homo Metabolicus”). So you basically just have to eat, kill and stay alive to the very end of “Homo Metabolicus”. That sure sounds really easy, but I bet that it´s easier said then done. Anyhow, I can´t wait to play the game myself. As “Homo Metabolicus” appears to be just my kind of game.
And for those who don´t know it, “Homo Metabolicus” is a sequel to the freeware game “Atomic Butcher”. So if you can´t wait for “As “Homo Metabolicus” to be released (which should be by the end of this year), then you could always play “Atomic Butcher” in the meanwhile. Game on people!
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Robin “V-Act” Ek
The Gaming Ground
Twitter: @TheGamingGround
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Tags: Atomic Butcher, Atomic Butcher: Homo Metabolicus, Das Humankapital, Homo Metabolicus, Post-apocalyptic 2D