8Bit/Digi

Save The Princess, Win a Sneaker

There are two ways a game could easily get my attention. The first is that it’s a retro inspired shooter. The second is that it’s an anime inspired game with plenty of nods to the classics. Mullet MadJack got my attention very easily as it does both. The game is an anime-inspired retro shooter. 

Mullet MadJack is an intense cyberpunk anime shooter that will put any player’s skills to the test while rekindling their 80s nostalgia. Players will battle various cyberpunk foes in a race against the clock. Despite the rush, one will also take a moment to appreciate the game’s anime inspired style and the colorful cyberpunk world. 

Welcome to Nakamura Plaza

In a distant future where humanity and the internet have merged, dominion belongs to formidable AIs dubbed Robillionaires. Those who seek to kill them are called Moderators and are powered by the dopamine provided through “Likes” by audiences. To sustain themselves, a Moderastor requires a hit every 10.0 seconds or they will die. When the Influencer Princess is kidnapped by a Robillionaire, the Peace Corp enlists a Moderator to rescue her. 

Players will battle through Nakamura Plaza during a live stream. They’ll face waves of androids while racing against time to entertain viewers. All for a pair of new sneakers. 

At its heart, Mullet MadJack is a homage to the science fiction anime of the late 80s, particularly the cyberpunk genre. Players are bombarded with neon-colored images and screens with promos. Enhancing its cyberpunk setting and reinforcing that anime-inspired look are the PC-9800 inspired visuals. Of course, there are also plenty of references to other iconic works, besides the obvious Akria slide at the beginning. With the combination of these elements, the game successfully captures the essence of another era in pop culture.

It’s not all nostalgia and homages, as the game explores key cyberpunk themes. Most notably it looks at ideas of man merging with technology and criticism of hyper-consumerism. This is done by the need to survive on attention and the risks associated with consumer goods. These themes are often explored during moments when the Peace Corp Rep talks down to you about your choices.

Her Follower Count is Over TWO BILLION

The core gameplay is a retro-inspired shooter. You will be battling waves of androids, drones, and other foes. Be aware that time is not on your side—you must make a kill every 10 seconds, or it’s game over. Simple kills, headshots, executions, or environmental kills can add to your time. Picking up energy drinks along the way will also restore lost time. At the end of each stage, players have the option to upgrade their character or weapon.

Depending on the difficulty level, you could have a relaxing time or face the ultimate test. This shooter offers the choice between casual fun and intense challenge. Higher difficulty levels will push your shooting and speed skills to their limits. Don’t be fooled into thinking Easy mode is a cakewalk. Although the timer is absent, you’ll still face game over after just a few hits. But at least it will allow you to better appreciate the games artistic choices. 

Overall; the game is easy to learn but it’s challenging from the moment you start. 

Can’t Stop Playing

So far it has been a good year for video games that have wanted to capture the cultural essence of a past era. Mullet MadJack now joins the ranks of games that have successfully achieved this in all the right ways. The cyberpunk setting and anime style design were enough to get my attention but the non-stop action that tested my skills has kept me entertained. All in an experience that taps into ones love of the 80s.

When it comes to capturing the defining elements of the 80s, Mullet MadJack checks all the boxes. Macho hero with a cool car and witty one-liners? Check. References to movies of the era? Check. Anime-style visuals on par with a PC-9800 game? Check. Killer soundtrack? Check. Overall this is a game that is a love letter to the 80s in general and cyberpunk anime in particular. 

Error 0047

Mullet MadJack is almost the perfect experience, combining everything I love about shooters and anime games. I say “almost” because there is one issue that annoys me: the inclusion of platforming elements and wall running in some areas. These features become more prevalent in the second half of the game and can be frustrating at times. While they may seem to add a layer of challenge, their inclusion instead adds a sense of annoyance.

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. There are reasons why modern shooters don’t include platforming stages—they more of an annoyance than a challenge.

Better Luck Next Time

Its anime style visuals will get your attention while the cyberpunk story will get you invested as the gameplay challenges you at every corner. Mullet MadJack will make you miss the culture, aesthetics, and style of the 80s. It will also remind you of the ugly truth we all seem to forget about the 80s and why such works were forged from this era. Which makes this the perfect game not just for retro fans but fans of 80s nostalgia.

Disclaimer: The publisher through a PR representative provided the game used for this review.

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 provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Mullet MadJack (PC)

10

Masterpiece

10.0/10

Pros

• Homage to the science fiction anime of the late 80s.
• Anime inspired visuals that capture the looks of a PC-9800 game.
• Easy to learn but gets challenging from the start.
• Killer soundtrack that knows how to set the moment.

Cons

• Inclusion of platforming elements and wall running.