Review: Death Elevator for PS5

Noticing that gamers are rarely satisfied is something I find myself doing more and more as I age. When developers introduce innovative mechanics into favorite genres, the feedback often swings towards dissatisfaction because things feel too different. Conversely, if they stick to tradition, complaints about stale, cloned games surface. This same duality applies to complexity in games: pack them with depth and players groan over excessive intricacy, yet strip them down, and they’re labeled as mundane and simplistic. A lot of this stems from a sheer overload of content. As we delve into countless games, they all get compared against one another, leaving us, myself included, unsure about what we really want in a game. This brings us to today’s feature. Death Elevator might just split opinions, depending on your personal criteria for a great game.

Death Elevator’s concept is straightforward. You step into an elevator, ready to clear floors full of bad guys. It echoes the simplicity of classics like the original Team Fortress or Quake. There’s no frills—grab a gun and lay waste to your current floor’s foes. Once the coast is clear, the elevator doors open, ushering you onwards. This may feel overly simplified for some shooter enthusiasts who’ve grown accustomed to leveling skills and crafting precise load-outs. For someone like me, who values nostalgia from a time before such complexities, the minimalistic design brings a welcomed simplicity. Focusing less on character progression allows me to hone basic skills and relish the action at hand.

What makes Death Elevator stand out to me are two things. First is the graphical style. It evokes the minimalistic, blocky charm of games like Superhot. This pared-down aesthetic complements the straightforward gameplay, creating a neat package. Secondly, there’s the unique mechanical twist: time slows as bullets approach, giving you a chance to evade. While cool, this feature has its drawbacks.

This time-slowing mechanic seems to trigger only when incoming bullets are within your sight. It gives you a chance to dodge or shoot them mid-air—great, except when you’re attacked from multiple directions. It’s easy to sidestep visible projectiles, but handling threats from behind poses a challenge, leading me to get blindsided while focusing on what’s in front of me. Though clever, the mechanic isn’t perfect and requires some strategic adaptation.

Discussing Death Elevator’s narrative feels almost unnecessary. The story unfolds gradually as you progress, offering snippets without a formal introduction. To truly grasp it, you’ll need to excel in gameplay. The emphasis remains squarely on shooting, fitting the game’s core intent, rather than being narrative-heavy. No spoilers here, since the plot is still a mystery even to me!

As a whole, Death Elevator is engaging and addictive. I appreciate its visual choices and the reliable controls. Whether you enjoy it hinges on your gaming preferences. Timed runs suit speedrun enthusiasts, and the absence of checkpoints coupled with a challenging one-run completion will appeal to those craving difficulty. It’s a prime pick for fans of arcade-style gameplay.

For gamers who thrive on character-building and customizing weapon load-outs, Death Elevator might not resonate as much. You deal with what you’re given or face defeat. Its cryptic story may pose a problem for those who seek deeper immersion.

Still, I’m enjoying my journey with Death Elevator, continually aiming to outrun my previous scores. As an aficionado of old-school shooters, this game hits the right notes for me. If you share my tastes or seek something fresh in the shooter genre, it’s worth a try. However, if you desire a profound strategic experience, you might want to explore other options first.

As I’ve spent hours with Death Elevator, I can confidently say it’s a fun romp despite its stripped-down nature. Its appeal may not extend to every shooter fan due to its difficulty and minimalism. But if you love arcade-esque challenges, this game is a rewarding find. If a richer experience is what you seek, there are more suitable titles out there.