”You'll regret it if you think this is just another action game” — Night Slashers: Remake begins in a way that makes you feel those words. You are thrown into a nightmare world where bloodthirsty creatures and mysterious monsters roam, and before you know it, you are fighting as an unexpected hero; the introduction alone grabs your heart. Even as fear and thrills rush in simultaneously, the desire to ”go further” strangely wins out, likely because this work isn't just horror but has the power to place the player at the center of the story.

The progress of this game is very simple, following the classic beat 'em up format of moving from left to right while defeating swarms of enemies, but each step feels strangely heavy and intense. If you try to move forward while ignoring enemies, the screen stops dead, silently telling you ”it's not over yet,” a mechanic that keeps the tension of battle from breaking. The seven stages are each composed of multiple scenes, with a boss boasting a powerful presence waiting at the end of each, providing a sense of achievement that makes you catch your breath the moment you defeat them.

What I particularly want to talk about in the remake is the playability and the comfort of combat. The characters move surprisingly responsively, and because combos, aerial attacks, and special moves connect in a natural flow, there are many moments where you'll want to tell yourself, ”That move was perfect.” Since you can concentrate on judging the situation and choosing your attacks without being distracted by button inputs, joy wells up before fear even when surrounded by enemies; this feeling is an irresistible charm for action game lovers.

The fact that up to four people can play simultaneously also makes this work special. By choosing unique heroes, even without thinking deeply about role distribution, the naturally occurring cooperation and chaos turn directly into fun. The exhilaration of a path suddenly opening up thanks to someone's special move while surrounded by a horde of zombies is an experience that can't be had alone, and it seems to bring back the heat of the old arcade centers.

On the visual side, blood splatters and dynamic lighting have been added, expressing the horror worldview more vividly, but it leaves a good impression by never going overboard and functioning strictly to build the atmosphere. Furthermore, for the music, you can choose between the nostalgic classic BGM and a modern re-imagined arranged version, allowing you to enjoy it according to your mood or playstyle. As sound and visuals overlap, the player finds themselves becoming an inhabitant of the nightmare before they know it.

I felt that Night Slashers: Remake is an evolution that cherishes the soul of the original 1993 masterpiece while catering to modern players. Even just looking at the new character selection screen, the presence of the heroes stands out, making the time spent wondering ”who should I go with?” a fun experience in itself. After finishing, a unique aftertaste mixed with fear and exhilaration remains, a title with the power to make you think, ”I might not mind returning to that nightmare again.”