Brigador, once known as Matador, places the player in control of a tank/mech hybrid with an aptitude for destruction as you move about the isometric game maps. Stellar Jockey’s game has been compared to the likes of 1993 hits Walker and Syndicate, with a touch of MechWarrior, and with good reason.
It does all this with good reason, evoking the sci-fi movies of the late ’80s and early ’90s, the game is set to the electronic music of Makeup & Vanity Set.
As you move your mech around rather grim environments of the city of Solo Nobre and the outlying regions, it soon becomes apparent that you have almost unlimited destructive abilities. Primary weapons are fired with the left mouse button and secondary with the right, the direction controlled by your pointer. Pressing the space bar also causes a wave of damage with certain vehicles but as you might expect, you don’t have the city all to yourself.
The ultimate goal of any level is to destroy the three orbital guns, eliminating all enemies, or sabotaging all ammo depots located in various spots around the map before proceeding to the exit. Getting to them, however, is easier said than done. The three factions fighting for control of the city make it their business to stop you, with rival tanks, mechs, and antigrav units rushing to stop you. These units are the real challenge, for the soldiers running around with machine guns aren’t going to cause you many problems. What they can do, though, is heap enough damage on you for the mechs to finish you off.
Once they do, you’re done, and either have to choose another stage or start over. It’s harsh but forces you to place the focus on keeping your blue shield and green health bar up. The former can be replenished by picking up what can only be described as energy orbs left lying around when you take out an enemy mech.
To match the vintage setting, Brigador also prevents you from saving the game, restarting, or accumulating experience – in other words, each segment must be completed in a single setting if you wish to advance. One advantage you do have at your disposal is that unlocked features and upgrades do carry-over.
Your mech selection affects the challenge you face. Tall mechs are easily spotted over buildings and make a lot of noise, though pressing the middle button on your mouse activates a temporary cloak, hiding you for 10 seconds. The advantages, depending on your style of play, can outweigh the negatives, allowing you to shoot over longer distances and carry more weapons. Selecting a smaller vehicle, on the other hand, enables you to hide behind obstacles and move more quickly, enabling better use of stealth before reaching your ultimate targets. Enemy placements are randomised between matches as are layouts, making for a novel experience with each play.
Finding out exactly how you intend to play, and what works best for you, may take time, but among the 15 vehicles and 25 weapons you’ll come across your answer sooner or later.
Brigador is a game that recalls a very distinctive revivalist electric style and Amiga-era game but brings all of that right up to date with an experience both exhilarating and challenging in equal measure. While the game can be unforgiving, it rarely feels unfair once you get to grips with it.
Brigador was developed and by Stellar Jockeys and released October 16th, 2015 for PC, with an MSRP of $15.00. A copy of the game was provided by the publisher for this review.
