8Bit/Digi

Only The Martyr Can Save Us

If you’ve read my reviews of first-person shooters, you already know I’m a sucker for games inspired by the classics. You’ll also know I’m drawn to titles with anime influences and plenty of nods to the classics. Beyond Citadel immediately caught my eye as it combines a retro inspired shooter with striking anime style designs.

Beyond Citadel is the highly anticipated sequel to the cult shooter The Citadel. Players will once again take on the role of the Martyr and battle the Trumpeters of the Apocalypse. Players will battle through a world devoid of hope in an attempt to once again save humanity.

Welcome Back Sis

Set sometime after the events of The Citadel, mankind’s last stronghold against the Trumpeters of the Apocalypse has fallen. In an attempt to reclaim the Citadel and save humanity, the Seven Angels have once again summoned the Martyr. Armed with whatever she can find or be provided, Martyr must battle her way through the Citadel, defeat the seven Trumpeters, and recover seven artifacts that the Angels could use to save the world.

Don’t worry if you never played The Citadel, the game does an excellent job of catching you up while ensuring the lore is easy to follow for all players.

Beyond Citadel’s story is a love letter to post-apocalyptic anime from the late ’80s to mid-’90s. The influence of Evangelion is immediately apparent in the worldbuilding, level design, and character models. Meanwhile, the design of most foot soldiers clearly draws inspiration from the Special Armed Garrison officers in Kerberos Panzer Cop. While these influences are unmistakable, the game skillfully weaves them into a narrative that stands on its own. It tells you all you need to know at the start while the details are picked up as you progress.

Number of the Best

The core gameplay of Beyond Citadel is a retro-inspired shooter, tasking players with blasting through demons, post-apocalyptic soldiers, and other foes in gloriously over-the-top, gratuitous violence. While the game draws inspiration from the past, it strives to be more than just another boomer shooter. Its impressive arsenal includes genre staples, like a shotgun, alongside unique weaponry. Additionally, players can upgrade both their character and weapons throughout the game, tailoring the experience to their preferred combat style.

Customization is not limited to your character or weapons—it extends to the overall gameplay experience. For example, you can adjust the gunplay to require manual reloading and cocking the shotgun or the lever-action rifle after each shot. While initially challenging, this mechanic becomes fun to have activated once mastered. If that’s not your style, you can easily switch to the standard shooter function. Additionally, aspects like difficulty, item spawn rates, and other settings can be fine-tuned to make the game as easy or challenging as you prefer.

Overall; Beyond Citadel gameplay takes the foundation of a classic shooter while incorporating modern mechanics, giving players the freedom to tailor the experience to their preferences.

Freedom from Suffering

One of Beyond Citadel’s strongest features is its ability to let players customize the overall experience. It allows players to make the experience how ever they like while adding to its replay value. I appreciate these customizable aspects in a game because they let me tailor the experience to match my mood. Whether I want a more relaxed playthrough or a tougher challenge to test my skills, the choice is entirely mine.

Bringing this world to life are the anime aesthetics within a 2.5D environment, combined with its bleak tone. The design choices effectively portray a world devoid of hope—an intense hellscape fraught with lurking danger and a somber atmosphere. The anime art style further enhances the world and character designs. Perfectly capturing the emotion of each character, from their sense of hopelessness and emptiness to the visceral intensity of their gut-wrenching demise. Music also plays a crucial role in setting the tone, reinforcing the gloomy and foreboding atmosphere of the game world.

Never Return

I enjoy classic and retro-inspired shooters because they have a sense of joy that is often absent from contemporary titles. However, not every aspect of classic shooters needs to be preserved or recreated. Unfortunately, Beyond Citadel makes this mistake with the inclusion of platforming elements and wall running in some areas. These features become more prevalent later on and can be frustrating at times. While they may seem to add a layer of challenge, their inclusion instead adds a sense of annoyance.

Another unwanted aspect of classic shooters that was brought back are some poor level designs. Like many games trying to capture that nostalgic feel, it occasionally suffers from outdated design choices. Some sections lack clear direction, while others feel cluttered with unnecessary environmental objects, detracting from the overall flow.

The Last Dance

Beyond Citadel perfectly captures the classic shooter experience with this love letter to the post-apocalyptic anime of the 90s. The story might seem familiar at first, but it unveils deeper emotional layers as it progresses. The gameplay blends classic shooter mechanics with modern innovations. Players can fully customize their experience, tailoring the gameplay to their preference. The anime-inspired 2.5D visuals heighten the atmosphere, underscoring the bleak tone of the world.

Disclaimer: I bought the game on Steam.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that highlights the video game community and industry of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Beyond Citadel (PC)

8

8.0/10

Pros

• Story is a thought provoking love letter to post-apocalyptic anime from the 90s.
• Gameplay is a mix of elements from classic and modern shooters.
• Customizing the gameplay and experience based on your preference.
• Anime aesthetics in a 2.5D environment with a bleak tone.

Cons

• Inclusion of platforming elements and wall running.
• Some stages are created using outdated level designs.