All through the halls of motion historical past, few issues can match the iconography of Chow Yun-Fats wielding two Beretta 92 handguns, whereas grimacing at an imminent risk of gangsters. VRESKI’s The Hong Kong Bloodbath wears the influences of John Woo, Sammo Hung, and different legendary filmmakers on its sleeve wholeheartedly, including in Hotline Miami’s model of top-down chaos too. Regardless of solidifying itself as an outstanding addition to anybody’s Nintendo Change library, and even inspiring Hollywood blockbusters, I’m left pining for VRESKI’s subsequent journey.
The Hong Kong Bloodbath initially debuted in 2019, earlier than touchdown on Nintendo’s humble handheld in December of the next yr. Its plot is straightforward: take revenge on the gangs of Hong Kong for the demise of your companion on the police drive. But, this motion sport’s simplistic premise is ideal, as a result of VRESKI amps up the sport’s maximalist parts by means of a licensed balletic barrage of bullets at each doable second. Firefights are thrilling video games of cat-and-mouse violence, encouraging you to choose off enemies thoughtfully – usually in essentially the most grizzly method doable. Similar to Hotline Miami, one hit, and it’s again to the beginning of the extent.
VRESKI is a two-person group hailing from Sweden, however the cinematic aptitude current by means of its lush manufacturing design, genuine artwork course, and satisfying gunplay would by no means let you realize that. The Hong Kong Bloodbath has attained a novel legacy too, with John Wick director Chad Stahelski attributing Chapter 4’s astonishing condominium shootout as a core affect. Apart from the sport’s launch on Xbox Sequence X|S consoles final yr, we’re now 5 years on from The Hong Kong Bloodbath’s preliminary debut.
We’re quick approaching 2025, and because the Earth continues to spin on, I’m looking forward to what video games, be them new Change video games or free cellular video games, are on the horizon. Will there be a sequel to The Hong Kong Bloodbath? Is VRESKI making one other sport?
Though The Hong Kong Bloodbath 2 isn’t on the playing cards, we do know that VRESKI is cooking up one thing new, regardless of its web site biography claiming that it’s nonetheless “presently engaged on our first sport referred to as The Hong Kong Bloodbath.”
There isn’t per week that goes by the place I don’t do a periodic check-in on video games I’m wanting ahead to, whether or not it’s IO Interactive’s Mission 007, The Division: Resurgence launch date, or VRESKI’s presently untitled FPS sport. On Might 4, 2021, VRESKI revealed ‘Untitled FPS – Bridge Explosion’ to YouTube. The footage showcases a work-in-progress shooter with the identical penchant for bloodshed, this time on a seemingly a lot bigger scale.
Extra clips would proceed to floor, with the developer’s final add touchdown in March 2024. Every clip boasts dazzling particle results and crunchy sound design, however the true kicker is all that dual-wield spectacle I can’t cease fascinated with.
It’s Max Payne bullet-time amped as much as the max, and if there’s something I consider this world wants extra of, it’s Max Payne-inspired media. Sadly, additional updates on VRESKI’s upcoming shooter have gone radio silent. Understandably, as a two-person group, this sort of venture will take time. Nevertheless, with the Nintendo Change 2 looming and extra of the most effective Steam Deck options evolving into higher-spec fashions, I’m hopeful that VRESKI will take part on the enjoyable within the close to future.