Cybertrash STATYX Xbox Review 7/10 "A Fun Throwback in The Run ‘n Gun Genre" 💥 #IndieGame #GameDev

Recent rumblings of folks who seem to be of the mind that pixel graphics are tired and old can be pushed aside, because it’s clear that there’s plenty of milage in beautiful, hand-drawn visuals yet, as illustrated by Cybertrash STATYX, a game that casts you in the role of Jenet, a woman who – like many – seem to have completely lost their memories prior to being involved in a program to ascertain their physical and mental abilities so that they can be ‘correctly’ re-introduced to society, whilst the reasons that they were initially extricated from society are curiously obfuscated…
A 2D action-platformer, Cybertrash STATYX - whilst admittedly having some translation issues – does an interesting job of blending what could have been a completely standard title featuring multiple stages and the usual gun / ability upgrades through factory-like levels by also including narrative passages that add an extra dimension to the surprisingly sci-noir storyline. 

Again, there are some problems with the English translation, but it’s still a welcome inclusion, as you get to wander around outside of the hectic action segments to advance the plot and get the opportunity to add extra depth to the characters that pepper the tale. 

It felt like a title that could have been a golden, underdog end-of-life Mega Drive game with the crunchy visuals, gameplay and mechanics. Enemies have a subtly randomised AI, whilst the stages are hand-crafted - this means that there’s always an element of danger and strategy involved, whilst the overall plot move solidly forwards. 

There are minor issues in terms of the slide/jump attack being over-used, especially when it could have simply been assigned to another button for smoothness and fluidity– and the fact that gun pick-ups (and ammunition amounts ) hover between useless and vital, but the generosity in design rarely makes the game feel unfair, or overtly difficult.

SUMMARY
A game that could easily have been lost in the shuffle, but elevates itself with solid – if familiar – mechanics, challenging gameplay, and a story with a surprising amount of thought in it – especially when considering the genre – Cybertrash STATYX is well worth your time if you enjoy slower-paced, strategic action over the usually fast-paced reflex-tests that this genre can sometimes throw up.