The Citadel

This game is simultaneously an anime fan service simulator, an absolutely graphic and disgusting gore fest that makes Brutal DOOM blush, and just a really good and competent shooter all at once… and I absolutely dig it.

The Citadel is a hybrid between a boomer shooter and a modern tactical shooter, combining the speed, mobility (double jumps included) and arena fights of an arena/boomer shooter, with leaning, iron sights and gun recoil usually seen in more tactical shooters; and surprisingly, it pulls it off very well. Much better than I expected. Of course, I do have some gripes here and there, but the overall positives outweigh the negatives.

THE POSITIVES

Gunplay is absolutely fantastic. Every single weapon felt punchy and powerful, with the only one I didn’t like being the grenades. But as I like to say… if a shooter has good shotguns, then it’s good. And if it gives me the option to dual-wield SMGs, that do insane damage… well, then it’s amazing! The music was also pretty good, showcasing a mix of action, ambience and melancholy. And while I know this art style isn’t for everyone, I did like it personally. I don’t mind my main character being a hot anime waifu, that carries as many guns as the Doom Slayer. In fact, I welcome it. Also, big shoutout to the devs for not putting a SINGLE hitscan enemy in the game. Not even your guns are hitscan. I’m glad this design philosophy took off after Dusk.

THE NEGATIVES

The game runs completely on a life system, and you are unable to save. Now unlike Incision, you get to keep your lives between levels… however, also and unfortunately unlike Incision, and by extension DOOM Eternal, when you die, you don’t respawn back immediately and continue the fight. No, you have to find these checkpoint terminal things, so your extra lives are not always useful. That in of itself isn’t that much of a problem, as I didn’t die too much… however, this game also has insta-death pits, which I’m not a fan of, which kinda coincides with my next gripe… Our girl, Martyr doesn’t know how to air strafe. If you sprint and jump in one direction, it’s nearly impossible to change directions mid jump. It did lead to some ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ deaths, though from what I’ve heard the sequel has removed the insta-death pits, which I guess I’ll see soon enough.

Overall, while The Citadel doesn’t quite reach the sacred heights of my designated “4 Horsemen of Amazing Boomer Shooters”, those being Ultrakill, Turbo Overkill, Cultic and Dusk, it slots RIGHT after them with games like Amid Evil.

9.2/10! I had a blast, and will most likely return to try out New Game+!