Meifumado

Meifumado takes players to a haunting, post-apocalyptic world inspired by Japan’s feudal era, where strict rule and survival are a daily battle. Set on the island of Yamatai, this 2D action game captures the raw desperation of a society torn apart by conflict. It invites players to navigate alliances and rivalries while battling through hostile territories, all set against a grim and gritty landscape.

From intense melee combat to strategic use of sub-weapons and chi-based abilities, Meifumado offers a complex fighting system. However, players must carefully weigh every decision with tricky enemies and limited resources. This dark, atmospheric world immerses you in relentless tension, making every moment like a fight for survival.

Family Feudal

Meifumado’s world-building shines in its desolate landscapes and carefully crafted lore. The island of Yamatai feels genuinely alive in its decay, filled with rival factions vying for control. Players can choose alliances that affect the storyline, adding depth to a game that thrives on player choice. The different factions, each with unique ideals, offer the chance to shape your narrative, giving players a sense of agency in a brutal world where few survive easily.

The combat system, while complex, is also one of the game’s standout features. Meifumado offers a range of combat options, from melee weapons to ranged attacks and even throwable weapons like shurikens. The game’s parry mechanic and various special attacks make each encounter intense and skill-based, especially as players master the timing of blocks and counterattacks. However, despite the satisfying core combat, players may find the controls clunky, particularly with a gamepad, due to unchangeable key bindings and an awkward button layout.

Visually, Meifumado captures the atmosphere of its world well. The muted color palette complements the game’s theme of despair, evoking a haunting beauty in its decayed settings. The pixel-art graphics work effectively, filling in details just enough to let the player’s imagination do the rest. However, the interface lacks polish, with unintuitive menu designs and a limited HUD that can make navigating the game world more challenging than necessary.

The game’s reliance on consumables and its chi mechanic add complexity but can feel overly punitive. Since chi doesn’t replenish over time, players must use it sparingly, making heavy attacks and special abilities precious. Battles can sometimes feel more tedious than satisfying when combined with the slow healing process that requires sheathing your weapon. With enemies that frequently gang up and exploit the game’s flinch mechanics, players might find themselves in frustrating situations with little room for error.

Missed Shuriken

Similar to Blasphemous, Meifumado provides a distinct post-apocalyptic twist with its feudal Japanese setting. While Blasphemous emphasizes fluid combat and tightly designed mechanics, Meifumado’s complex control scheme and challenging consumable system make it more punishing. Both games focus on bleak worlds and intricate lore, but Meifumado’s unique aesthetic and faction-based storyline set it apart.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Haunting post-apocalyptic atmosphere with a feudal Japanese influence
• Satisfying combat system with diverse weapon options
• Faction choices that impact the storyline

Cons:

• Poorly optimized controls, especially with a gamepad
• Frustrating consumable and chi mechanics
• Interface and menus lack polish