Not to be confused with beat 'em up The Takeover, TakeOver, while also a beat 'em up/hack n' slash, is a new release from Oedipes Games and available for PC via Steam today.
Writing a review after watching devlogs and comments on how hard it is for a solo dev to get their projects onto store shelves can be tough. Still, objectively speaking, this game is comparable to an Early Access phase and does not have enough appeal to keep playing.
Playing exclusively on the Steam Deck due to being overseas, results were mixed. The graphical presentation was excellent. Character models looked decent from the outset and animated great on the portable, though the only caveat was configuring the controller layout multiple times due to updates. In hindsight, there wasn't anything wrong with the controller layout, as most commands are locked during gameplay.
TakeOver Review
TakeOver follows three playable voluptuous ladies of the SPF (special agents, blah blah blah) that infiltrate a cyborg factory to kick ass. Initially, there is only one option: a fantasy secretary/office worker in ill-fitting clothing and impractical shoes not made for prowling around cyborgs. She's the all-rounder, her weakness being that she loses clothes when hit. There's a block button? So, her nudity could have been prevented? Silly me...
The mission begins with a level flyover depicting a power generator that needs to be destroyed and the patrolling cyborgs surrounding it. This aspect was confusing as the patrols would walk up and down, generating a shield. If hit by the shield, it's insta-death, so the strategy is stealth and hiding behind objects until reaching the generator and bashing it in.
However... characters in TakeOver can speed through each area as the patrols don't give chase, making the systematic approach pointless. Though wielding a sword, you can't attack anything (despite the UI keeping track of your score and kills). Instead, the challenge comes from more cyborgs appearing and hazardous elements as you progress, making it trickier to outmanoeuvre them on numbers alone. Ideally, unsheathing the sword and hitting them with it would have been an option, but that's saved for the combat around the generator.
Dante Night Away
This is where TakeOver's Devil May Cry influences kick in as combat is fast, frantic, and looks the business. On the Steam Deck, it was intermittent as the camera would shift from an over-the-shoulder third-person perspective to a top-down viewpoint, and an awkward directional arrow appears, making combat frustrating. Via a computer, it worked fine, though combat is so hasty that it transforms into a button masher.
After defeating the waves of enemies, the generator blows up, and the process starts again. Rinsing and repeating this, with a fair amount of chuckles and titillation from my character taking a beating to expose a thong, it was time for a break and return to the menu without any new unlocks. On to the challenge mode and defeat 500 enemies.
Again, TakeOver's combat is seemingly impressive, yet it became monotonous after five minutes of button mashing. Hovering back to the menu and not expecting to unlock anything, it was fun to see a new skin - that is, fewer clothes - and a new character that floats rather than walks. Hmm... ok, sure - why not?
TakeOver Review Summary
As an end user, the only lasting effects from TakeOver are the scantily clad heroes, and repetitive gameplay elements. It's comparable to She Will Punish Him - an Early Access title with potential, but that's not true. At the time of publication, a demo is available to play, so it's encouraged to download it regardless and see what you think.
