It can be quite fun to look at alternative versions of history, putting quirky ‘what if’s’ on things to wonder how they would play out. It could also be quite terrifying depending on what parameters you’d put in place. Gaming has played with history before, sometimes in ways that are totally radical, and sometimes ways that could have genuinely been reality if things had been a little different. Team2Bit have taken us back to 1986, and decided that Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev should team up. And it does make for a fun little game.
Militant extremists have kidnapped both Cold War rivals, and it’s up to them to work together to free themselves from their grasps. It’s a fast paced top down shooter akin to Hotline Miami in terms of both graphical style and gameplay. I would say that I find Reagan Gorbachev a little more forgiving, especially during the early levels, however you’ll still die quickly if caught by enemies. You have control of both Presidents, and need to use each of their skills to navigate each level, this also allows for local co-op play, which is always nice to see.
Between each level there are small cutscenes where both protagonists have text based chat to each other. It’s quite funny at times to see their little digs at each other’s countries and differing ideologies on the ways of the world. It is the relationship between the two characters that separates this game from others that are like it, not that there is a massive amount similar on the Xbox One. In fact, if there are Xbox owners looking for an experience similar to the aforementioned Hotline Miami, this is probably the closest you’ll find on your console.
Gameplay wise, this isn’t straight forward guns blazing action. There is tactics and stealth required, and considerations needed to when you move, who you kill first, and where you can leave the other character so they are safe (if you are playing solo). You’ll be finding keys, hacking doors, using darts, katanas and all sorts of other weapons to make your way through the levels. Louder weapons will draw the attention of enemies in nearby rooms. Unarmed enemies are the easiest guys to defeat, and you’ll be watching guard patrols to know when to enter a room at the right time to take them all out effectively.
There’s 32 levels on offer, and it isn’t going to take hours to complete (there are even speedrun leaderboards), this is still a fun game, and at £7.99 it is an affordable option for a distraction from the big AAA game you’ll no doubt be putting most of your time into. This is certainly not going to be a game for everyone, and if you’re the sort that needs to be playing with the best graphics then this won’t be for you. If you’re happy to take a throwback style visual approach to a top down shooter, then this could well be for you. You may even learn a little about the old presidents as you go along!
**Thank you to XCN for the opportunity to review this game**