Blockader, from publisher ZapGames, has just dropped you onto the Moon's periphery; a 2D roguelite arena shooter overflowing with space and stubborn, large-eared rats. The moment you land, the horde locks you in a 360-degree angle. You either dodge claws or freeze in the middle of the swarm. The game forces reflexes from the tenth second without a moment's hesitation.
The ring-shaped planet doesn't allow for standing still. Monsters swarm from all directions with eight levels of danger, along with annoying snipers sniping from afar. The longer you stand still, the faster you're doomed. The cramped space means your movement trajectory must be a continuous, undulating arc, gliding through the gaps of the swarming mob.
Each wave sweeps through, revealing four random cards of varying rarity. Chains of lightning, dragons of fire, or armor-piercing arrows turn your normal shots into area-of-effect damage. Press space to reroll when your hand is full of junk. Gather stars picked from cheese to equip permanent gear across three utility branches of offense and defense. Six characters represent six distinct playstyles shaped by individual skill trees.
Missing area-of-effect combos when swarms of monsters are dense in high waves. Lack of crowd control effects suffocates your escape routes on the small planet.
Focusing on melee combat and forgetting about snipers on the edge of the map slowly drains your health, leading to a pointless fall before reaching the critical wave.
If you like building unique, over-the-top builds and intense gameplay, Blockader is made for you. If you hate cramped, suffocating environments, you should definitely avoid it.
