Developed by: Double Fine
Published by: Adult Swim
Reviewed on PlayStation 4
Double fine has once again brought us another great gaming experiences with their latest title Head Lander.
Head Lander plays out as a 2.5D Metroidvania-style game. The character’s head is equipped with a special helmet that allows it to fly around to use a  tractor beam to behead robots and use their bodies. Robots have specialized functions, so the player may be required to find the right type of robots to complete a task like using a security robot to open a door. The helmet includes a laser system that can be used to damage robots and protect itself; it can gain additional powerups that grant access to other areas of the game world. At times, the player is limited to using only the helmet and needs to fight through sections that are similar to bullet hell games. At other times, the player can also opt to use a robot body to engage in combat, which can include both ranged and melee fights depending on what type of robot they choose.
Head Lander being a Metroidvania style game makes for some very fun gameplay.  First thing you’ll notice with Head Lander is its very vibrant, colorful art style that makes you feel like you took a happy pill straight out of the 70’s. Playing through Head Lander feel very smooth and controls work great. At times you’ll be finding yourself switching bodies with robots. The game does a great job distinguishing what robot body you’re trying to land on even when there are two or three robots around. During the game you have helmet core power that guides your head through sections of the game but is often not enough to pass areas with enemies. Acquiring a robot body will help you fend off enemies since most robot have abilities such as shooting two laser at a time or super strength to absorb damage. Like most Metroidvania games, you acquire power ups to upgrade your weapons and core abilities as you progress. If you want to be as powerful , it’ll require you to search every nook and cranny in the game. That part is what makes the game great because it’s fun exploring the world of Head Lander.
Head Lander can be a challenging game if you don’t get health upgrades throughout the game.  This makes the later sections a bit rough. Boss battles are fun and well thought out, but at times they drag out a little too long due to their large health meters.  There’s plenty of running back and forth to solve puzzles within the different sections, which at times, feels tedious but are never to hard to figure out. You will need to switch between using your helmet head and robot body as you can only reach certain sections with one or the other. The soundtrack is great down to the background music to the voice acting to the shots being fired. Â
Kicking off Sony’s PLAY 2016 summer games line up this year, Head Lander is easily worth the money out of the four games being offered this year and is a very solid downloadable game. If you love Metroidvania style games such as Guacamelee or Axiom Verge, there’s no reason why you wouldn’t love Head Lander. It’s a very unique game that feels very fresh and new. Double Fine just keeps improving and Head Lander is proof of that.
