Apple Slash is a charming hack & slash indie that more than lives up to its £5 price tag. Players control an apple-shaped knight out on a journey to rid their homeland of monsters. You’ll find a limited number of other characters to help out within the world, all with their own appealing design quirks! The visuals aren’t massively complex, but the limited animations and clean designs have their own charm to them, in my opinion.
The controls are as simple as the story - besides your standard sword swing, you will unlock a few extra powers as the game progresses, but these are introduced slowly enough that it never feels overwhelming. The limited colour palette of black, red and white is used to create a fantastic sense of atmosphere, and the uniquely understated music really adds to the enjoyment. It’s super satisfying to earn the 1000g on offer here, despite the relative ease, with the only potential sticking points being either missing some optional keys to reach the secret concert or prematurely leaving the island before getting the 1000 kills required for the Killer III achievement.
For the price, Apple Slash is an absolute bargain, and adding a fresh completion to your profile isn’t a bad bonus either. It might not keep you occupied for days like a sprawling RPG, but it’s perfectly good for a few hours of fun. The art style and music really make this game feel special, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what else developer Agelvik comes up with in the future.
Pros:
• Superb visuals are clean and stylish
• Bargain price point
• Controls well, with just enough depth to keep you engaged
Cons:
• A few of the 11 achievements can be missed on a blind playthrough
• Not much reason to replay the game after a successful run