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Slain: Back from Hell

Wii U, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation Vita, PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Mac, PlayStation 4 • 2016

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Quick resume

Slain: Back from Hell. A heavy metal inspired arcade combat with puzzle elements and gore galore. Stunning visuals and true old school gameplay accompanied by the most metal soundtrack you've ever heard.

Global score

72/100

Genres

Action, Indie, Platform, Fighting, Arcade, Adventure

Pros

  • Beautiful pixel art and animations
  • Excellent heavy metal soundtrack
  • Challenging and rewarding combat
  • Frequent checkpoints reduce frustration
  • Developer responsiveness and updates

Cons

  • High difficulty and occasional unfair deaths
  • Short game length
  • Limited enemy variety and progression
  • Some control issues on keyboard
  • Repetitive level design and combat

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players have control over combat style, weapon choice, and tactics; no RPG progression but freedom in approach to enemies"

  • Competence
    5

    "High skill ceiling with challenging combat, timing-based parrying, and boss fights requiring mastery"

  • Competition
    -3

    "Focus is on personal challenge and mastery rather than competing against others; no multiplayer or leaderboards"

  • Continuation
    3

    "Players report repeated attempts and persistence despite difficulty; some frustration but strong motivation to continue"

  • Cooperation
    -5

    "Single-player experience with no cooperative elements"

  • Creativity
    1

    "Limited creativity in gameplay; some weapon choice and tactics but mostly predefined combat mechanics and linear levels"

  • Domination
    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; solo play with no social dominance"

  • Escapism
    4

    "Players use the game to immerse in a dark fantasy metal world, escaping real life stress through challenging gameplay and atmosphere"

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and love for the genre and style, not out of obligation"

  • Experimenting
    2

    "Some experimentation with weapon choice and combat tactics, but mostly learning fixed enemy patterns"

  • Exploration
    -2

    "Mostly linear levels with few secrets; limited exploration but some hidden areas exist"

  • Expression
    -3

    "No character customization or avatar personalization; fixed protagonist and visual style"

  • Fantasy
    5

    "Strong dark fantasy theme with gothic, metal, and supernatural elements"

  • Fellowship
    -5

    "No social or community features; solo experience"

  • Growth
    1

    "Skill improvement through learning enemy patterns and combat timing; no character progression"

  • Health
    -4

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; intense focus required but no physical engagement"

  • Idle
    -4

    "Requires constant attention and focus due to difficulty and timing-based combat"

  • Intimacy
    -5

    "No close social relationships or emotional sharing; purely individual gameplay"

  • Leadership
    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles; single-player only"

  • Progression
    -2

    "Minimal progression limited to weapon changes; no upgrades or leveling"

  • Relaxation
    -3

    "High tension and frustration reported; challenge and difficulty create sustained pressure"

  • Sensation
    4

    "Strong sensory stimulation from detailed pixel art, gore effects, and heavy metal soundtrack"

  • Status
    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems; individual play"

  • Story
    1

    "Minimal narrative with some dialogue; story is secondary to gameplay and atmosphere"

  • Strategy
    3

    "Combat requires timing, parrying, and tactical weapon use; some strategic planning needed"

  • Thrill
    4

    "High suspense and thrill from challenging combat, instant death traps, and boss fights"

  • Value
    3

    "Good value for price especially after updates; short but satisfying experience"

  • Violence
    5

    "Explicit gore, blood, and brutal combat central to the game experience"

  • Survival
    4

    "Focus on avoiding death, managing health, and overcoming lethal enemies and traps"

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    Last update: 06/03/2026