Goblin Walker

Goblin Walker is the game for you if back in the 90s you enjoyed stuff like Streets of Rage and Final Fight. This is classed as a lewd game, but the XXX content is not in the game by default. The version I played was without the sexual content, but I never found that I was yearning for it. Still, if you want it, there are many ways you can add it to the game.

Rise, My Goblin King!

The story of the game is pretty neat in that you are playing as the bad guy. Playing as a villain is always a fun time and in Goblin Walker it is no different. The story here is that the Goblin King is going to rise, but his body is all decayed and gross so you need to help him out by going to different villages and getting young girls so that you can sacrifice them so he can rise again.

It may sound basic, but it is kind of fun and at the end of the day it does give you a reason to be doing what you are doing. It is pretty fun and amusing stuff and, in all honesty, I have no complaints about it.

Punch, Pillage, And Sacrifice!

The gameplay of Goblin Walker is something that I really did enjoy. You play as a goblin and you head into a village. The village people are having none of this so you have to kill them. There is an alert level and the higher it is the more village folks will come after you. The goal of each “level” is that you grab a girl and bring her back to the base so she can be sacrificed. The thing is, villagers will stop you so you have to throw the girl. That is right, you can use the girl as a projectile weapon as you make your way back.

There are plenty of weapons that you can get such as a sword, bow, and arrow, and even picking stuff up off the ground. It is very easy to get to grips with in terms of the gameplay and while some people find these types of game repetitive, I always get into a Zen-like state when playing them. It is not too challenging, but you will have to replay some levels so you can grind so you are prepared for later levels.

Saturn or PlayStation?

The visuals of the game are pretty sharp. Goblin Walker in terms of its presentation reminds me of a game that we may have seen during the 32-bit era of consoles. The characters look decent enough and the different villages all have a bit of personality. The artwork for the sections in-between levels is very well done and I do wish that there was more of it. The animation of the way the characters walk is the only thing about the presentation that I am not a massive fan of.

Pros:

• I thought the premise of the game was pretty fun
• Playing as a bad guy is cool
• I liked the side-scrolling gameplay!
• You have far more attacks/weapons than you would think
• The game is rather addictive once you get into it

Cons:

• While I like the style, it may be repetitive for some people
• I am not sure the XXX patch is needed or worth it!

The beat 'em up genre has long cast players as virtuous heroes battling against evil forces. Goblin Walker boldly flips this tired trope on its head, putting players in the role of a despicable goblin minion serving the nefarious Goblin King. This refreshingly dark take on the classic 2D action format delivers a unique perspective that breathes new life into a well-worn genre. With its retro-inspired graphics and modern gameplay sensibilities, it manages to both honor and subvert genre conventions in fascinating ways.

Smashing the Good Guys

Here's the thing about being a goblin - it's surprisingly fun. While most beat 'em ups have you cleaning up the streets as a noble hero, Goblin Walker flips the script. You're breaking into homes, stealing everything not nailed down, and dragging off villagers while their protectors try desperately to stop you. The combat feels weighty and satisfying, closer to Dragon's Crown than Final Fight. Guards actually know how to fight back, coordinating their attacks instead of lining up to get punched. They'll try to surround you, call for backup, and generally make your life difficult - as they should.

The old-school pixel art absolutely nails the grimy, mischievous vibe. Your goblin protagonist moves with this wonderful mix of menace and slapstick that makes every animation a treat to watch. When you successfully raid a village, your victory dance feels earned - even if you feel a bit guilty about it.

Building a Better Monster

Looking at Dungeon Keeper, the granddaddy of "being the bad guy" games, Goblin Walker takes a more hands-on approach. Instead of managing evil from above, you're in the trenches doing the dirty work yourself. The RPG elements let you build your perfect pillager, unlocking new ways to terrorize the countryside. Want to focus on stealth and kidnapping? Go for it. Prefer to just smash everything in sight? That works too.

The village raids themselves play out like miniature heists. Watching guards patrol their routes and villagers go about their business adds a layer of strategy to each attack. Do you wait for the perfect moment, or just charge in screaming? Both approaches work, and that freedom to develop your own raiding style keeps things fresh.

That said, not everything lands perfectly. The village management stuff feels tacked on - you're supposedly building this evil army, but it never really goes anywhere interesting. And while the core gameplay loop is solid, the later levels start to feel like you're just going through the motions. A bit more variety in the village layouts wouldn't hurt either.

Review: 7/10

Goblin Walker is a surprisingly fresh take on beat 'em ups that isn't afraid to let players embrace their inner monster.

Pros:

• Being the villain is a blast
• Meaty, satisfying combat
• Guards that actually know how to fight
• Gorgeous pixel art and animations
• Multiple viable playstyles
• Killer soundtrack

Cons:

• Village layouts get repetitive
• Management elements feel shallow
• Story barely exists
• Could use more enemy types
• End-game content is lacking