Slain: Back from Hell

 Switch
User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 40
  3. Negative: 15 out of 40
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  1. juanlobo
    Jun 30, 2018
    7
    Well, I'm not going to say that is a remarkable game, but a 4.7 is too harsh ... The game is fun, I'm like at 33% of the game and I'm enjoying it right now ... I bought it at a sale and think it worth the money, maybe not full price but overall is a nice game
  2. djdnauk
    Jan 28, 2018
    9
    all these critic reviews need fixing, the game was released with 30fps which sucks but since then its been updated to 60fps so should be getting the same scores as other versions if not higher since its portable on switch too... not really the game for me either way but im adding a 9/10 score to balance out the bad critic reviews to some degree.
  3. Zorritox
    May 21, 2018
    10
    Slain is a game that goes straight to the point: kill or be killed.
    though is not super dinamic, and the moves are simple, the art is awesome and it a good platform game, to have fun while you wait for Castlevania.
  4. Sijun
    Aug 28, 2019
    4
    If you are a pixel art enthusiast like me, you probably stumbled upon this game in the Nintendo e-Shop.

    Pros: - visual pleasing pixel art graphics = 8/10 - mature setting (blood/gore) = 8/10 - quite long play time (about 6h) = 8/10 Cons: - bad controls (doesnt feel like a modern game) = 3/10 - repetitive and not very atmospheric soundtrack compared to other pixel art action    If you are a pixel art enthusiast like me, you probably stumbled upon this game in the Nintendo e-Shop.

    Pros:
    - visual pleasing pixel art graphics = 8/10
    - mature setting (blood/gore) = 8/10
    - quite long play time (about 6h) = 8/10

    Cons:
    - bad controls (doesnt feel like a modern game) = 3/10
    - repetitive and not very atmospheric soundtrack compared to other pixel art action games = 2/10
    - fights just dont feel that action packed = 3/10
    - difficulty spikes are sometimes very annoying 3/10

    Verdict:
    Overall this is an very good looking pixel art action game that comes with a quite long playtime and a high difficulty.
    That being said, if you dont like playing certain parts of the game over and over again until you eventually manage to overcome them, the difficulty might be to hard for you sometimes.
    I got frustrated over and over again to be honest.
    I mean, usually I like high difficulty games, but only if I have the feeling that I can do better if I learn the game mechanics or boss mechanics better.
    Slain has a very different approach on difficulty.
    Some fights are just really unbalanced, I'm not talking about boss fights. As far as I can say they are challenging but completely fair. The problem are some rooms fillied with multiple hard enemies at once. I found myself stuck in a corner of a room without a gameplay mechanic that could get me out of there. So I died and tried again and again and again and again. That is not a fun mechanic its just a level of difficulty that is nonsense.
    So if you are in for a long and sometimes quite annoying hard ride, this game is something for you.
    That being said, it overall feels like an old game with bad controls, bad game mechanics and the fighting feels very boring. It isnt a dynamic or fun fighting game = 4/10    … Expand
  5. Rubberfacts
    May 7, 2021
    0
    Easily the worst designed and awful controlling game I've ever had the misfortune of playing. The art looks cool, but everything about the gameplay is broken and truly abysmal.
  6. thryce3
    May 10, 2020
    4
    The music and art style are cool if a bit repetitive. The combat is hard and the controls suck so it's pretty much a recipe for frustration. But it least it's short so I was able to power through to the end. There is some good here, but headbanging to celebrate victory is the best part of the game. I got it on sale in a double pack with Valfaris so here's hoping they improved on theThe music and art style are cool if a bit repetitive. The combat is hard and the controls suck so it's pretty much a recipe for frustration. But it least it's short so I was able to power through to the end. There is some good here, but headbanging to celebrate victory is the best part of the game. I got it on sale in a double pack with Valfaris so here's hoping they improved on the gameplay for that.… Expand
  7. Sabrewulf1
    Jun 28, 2020
    2
    many many reviews by gamers here claiming the 60fps patch is 60fps on switch. The devs put it out that its 60fps, and probably sold many copies of the game on that statement. If this is 60fps im a monkeys baboon. The only 60fps animation in the game is the 'ashes' floating about. It cant even hold 30fps. Its gone from sluggish 30 to broken 60. Terrible.check the animation of themany many reviews by gamers here claiming the 60fps patch is 60fps on switch. The devs put it out that its 60fps, and probably sold many copies of the game on that statement. If this is 60fps im a monkeys baboon. The only 60fps animation in the game is the 'ashes' floating about. It cant even hold 30fps. Its gone from sluggish 30 to broken 60. Terrible.check the animation of the foreground parallax scrolling.frame stutter and max 20fps. Such a shame.… Expand
  8. CamyVero
    Aug 1, 2022
    7
    Slain: Back from Hell es un juego jodidísimo. Me ha costado terminarlo un verdadero triunfo. Porque... eso es lo malo que tiene el juego. Una dificultad muy elevada y en ocasiones tremendamente injusta. Pero, porque debe haber un pero. Sus gráficos, su diseño, su música y su respeto por la jugabilidad clásica en un hermoso pixel-art te enganchan y te hacen luchar contra él a muerte. PorSlain: Back from Hell es un juego jodidísimo. Me ha costado terminarlo un verdadero triunfo. Porque... eso es lo malo que tiene el juego. Una dificultad muy elevada y en ocasiones tremendamente injusta. Pero, porque debe haber un pero. Sus gráficos, su diseño, su música y su respeto por la jugabilidad clásica en un hermoso pixel-art te enganchan y te hacen luchar contra él a muerte. Por que solo un verdadero heavy puede acabar este juego.

    Slain: Back from Hell es un plataformas y hack and slash en 2 dimensiones, que recuerda a los antiguos Castlevania, pero con un toque más gore, heavy y moderno.

    Es un juego muy recomendable solo si eres un jugador hardcore, con mucha paciencia y con ganas de superarte.    … Expand
  9. HappySpaceInvad
    Apr 10, 2021
    3
    This review is for the Switch version only, and scoring low for the terrible framerate which, despite a supposed patch (1.02) is still an unwatchable 30fps (possibly lower) for the foreground scrolling. And with everything else (some sprites and the 3D background layers) running at 60fps, the contrast is even more off-putting. This is especially the case when playing docked on a largeThis review is for the Switch version only, and scoring low for the terrible framerate which, despite a supposed patch (1.02) is still an unwatchable 30fps (possibly lower) for the foreground scrolling. And with everything else (some sprites and the 3D background layers) running at 60fps, the contrast is even more off-putting. This is especially the case when playing docked on a large screen.

    It’s a real shame because, unlike most reviewers, I don’t think this is a particularly difficult game. Like Valfaris and Blasphemous, it’s just a question of being a bit more patient than you would be in a Castlevania game and learning to block at the right time to return with a power strike... or to swat enemy projectiles back at them.

    The pixel art is absolutely gorgeous and the soundtrack (if you like metal) is atmospheric if a little repetitive.

    Given Valparis from the same developer runs so smoothly on Switch, I’m not sure why they can’t get this game to run the same.    … Expand
  10. SepticSchizo
    Oct 16, 2019
    10
    Awesome 2D platformer with a bad**s metal soundtrack. Very difficult but also fun. Not for everybody. But if you like lots of pixelated blood, gore, and metal, give this a try.
  11. Malwark
    May 5, 2020
    8
    A game which doesn't deserve the bad score that the so called critics gave it. C'mon.. a 4.7? That's usually for games such as Anthem. It ain't a bad port. It has some of the best 2D animation that I have seen and an excellent soundtrack. The game was released in 30 fps.but has been updated to 60 since then. The story is nothing amazing but that doesn't take away from the experience. It isA game which doesn't deserve the bad score that the so called critics gave it. C'mon.. a 4.7? That's usually for games such as Anthem. It ain't a bad port. It has some of the best 2D animation that I have seen and an excellent soundtrack. The game was released in 30 fps.but has been updated to 60 since then. The story is nothing amazing but that doesn't take away from the experience. It is hard but very satisfying. A 8/10 is a worthy score for it… Expand
  12. Akinori
    Nov 10, 2020
    3
    The game is good in art and music but you can read about it everywhere in any review, the genre was also the one that I like. Everything else is 0 or horrible. The story just meh, princess, evil wizard, soul, pride, whatever. The game design is very very bad, the game trains player's to push right buttons in a right time, if you like to spend hours in two screens platforms just trainingThe game is good in art and music but you can read about it everywhere in any review, the genre was also the one that I like. Everything else is 0 or horrible. The story just meh, princess, evil wizard, soul, pride, whatever. The game design is very very bad, the game trains player's to push right buttons in a right time, if you like to spend hours in two screens platforms just training mobs and obstacles and then accidentally press 'restart stage' instead of 'restart checkpoint' and be thrown 5 hours back than this is your game, definitely not mine… Expand
  13. jens76
    Mar 2, 2021
    7
    Nach dem Patch definitiv mit den anderen Versionen gleichzusetzen. Grafik und Sound sind eine Wonne, das Spiel ist tatsächlich gut.
  14. mkypl
    Jan 7, 2020
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The game is pretty hard but with very good gameplay. The bosses have balanced difficulty, except one - Mother Beholder, which is extremely hard to slain. There are some issues on the Nintendo Switch port with graphics, which lacks fps. In some sceneries, the game has problems to keep 30 fps. The background also has not smooth scrolling. The PC version with 60 fps looks better. Anyway, I can recommend the game for those players who love platform games and have a lot of patience to finish this game :)… Expand
  15. gclzero
    Apr 30, 2020
    2
    Very disappointing, I was brought in for the pixel art which is really nice but this game is let down by the awful character controls. It feels so clunky and unresponsive.
    It's like trying to move around a sack of potatoes, this coupled with the difficulty makes it very frustrating and not enjoyable.

    I got this game on sale and it still wasn't worth it. Avoid.
  16. salmonloaf
    Jul 15, 2020
    9
    I thought this game looked awesome, but I never got it based on the reviews on this site. It happened to be on sale in a bundle with Valfaris so I pulled the trigger. Figured I'd start with the "crappy" game first, and I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed Slain. I died a lot, but I learned what to do and could play right through now. I did not find any issues with parrying likeI thought this game looked awesome, but I never got it based on the reviews on this site. It happened to be on sale in a bundle with Valfaris so I pulled the trigger. Figured I'd start with the "crappy" game first, and I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed Slain. I died a lot, but I learned what to do and could play right through now. I did not find any issues with parrying like other reviews have mentioned. Very satisfied with the game and would recommend it to anyone looking for a challenge. I was able to beat it playing a couple hours each night and I'm not a great gamer by any means.… Expand
  17. awaldr2384
    Jun 5, 2021
    6
    Can be very challenging. Meatball boss sucks balls. Im currently still on the last level. It's a wonderful game, but very difficult, as in, if you are bad, the game has no problem killing you over and over. I.e. git gud
  18. Matt3333
    Aug 2, 2021
    8
    Good game, solid gameplay, amazing soundtrack. Everyone who gave a **** score is bad at games and should go play bookworm adventures instead.
  19. chosen0ne
    Sep 22, 2021
    8
    It's difficult, it's metal. I love the art and soundtrack direction. Not for everyone, but it's one I loved.
  20. TSNintendogamer
    Apr 20, 2022
    7
    this game is pretty fun. Valfaris is better but the game can be fun. It can get hard too and some people say that slain rarley has check points. The combat is fun but alittle complicated and not as good as it's successor. I wish I knew I could parry sooner as it only showed me how to parry once but that's my fault. Lastly I loved the music to the game. It makes me feelthis game is pretty fun. Valfaris is better but the game can be fun. It can get hard too and some people say that slain rarley has check points. The combat is fun but alittle complicated and not as good as it's successor. I wish I knew I could parry sooner as it only showed me how to parry once but that's my fault. Lastly I loved the music to the game. It makes me feel edgy and badass.… Expand
  21. Shadowboots
    Mar 22, 2022
    10
    Absolutely loved this game. The stunning artwork is only topped by the brilliant metal soundtrack. The game is difficult but not frustratingly so as there’s multiple save points.
    And absolutely no frame rate issues as other reviews have mentioned. So happy with the game I bought the sequel, Valfaris, straight away.
  22. Yatu90
    Apr 14, 2022
    7
    Good 2D action game with heavy metal theme. The rework really fix the bugs and problemas of the primal game.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
47

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 3 out of 5
  1. Cubed3
    Jan 2, 2018
    40
    Visuals-wise, Slain: Back from Hell for Nintendo Switch is one of the most '80s Metal videogames in existence. Unfortunately, the actual gameplay just doesn't cut it, as the controls often feel unresponsive and the level of challenge unfair. Want to play a Heavy Metal-powered Castlevania? Just play a Castlevania title with Iron Maiden on the headphones.
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  2. NintendoWorldReport
    Dec 22, 2017
    75
    Slain: Back from Hell is not a game that everyone will enjoy. It’s difficult and requires a lot of patience to see it through to the end. It’s also not a very long game. My first playthrough clocked in at around seven hours, though better players could certainly finish it more quickly. There’s also nothing new to do once you’ve slain Vroll. But if you have a thing for the difficult platformers of yore, Slain: Back from Hell is a satisfying blend of what made those games great.
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  3. Switch Player
    Dec 21, 2017
    50
    Despite the very pleasing sound and visuals, Slain is just too unforgiving to be as fun as it should be. I'm glad I've finished it, because those damned flying enemies swooping down on me are giving me nightmares.
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