Review: Powerslave Exhumed
Last Updated on November 18, 2022
Powerslave Exhumed: Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Series X/S, and PlayStation 4 and 5 | Developer: Nightdive Studios, Lobotomy Software | Publisher: Throwback Entertainment | Release Date: 10th February 2022
Exhumed (or Powerslave in North America) was released on the PlayStation in 1996 to a positive reception thanks to its unique blend of first-person shooting and Metroidvania-style exploration.
Powerslave Exhumed is a faithful remake that spruces up the visuals and catapults the controls into the 21st century. If you were a fan of the original, you’re in for a treat, as many levels have had subtle changes to their layout, and this time around, there are checkpoints!
If you’re a newcomer, I’m envious, as I’d love to experience this game again for the first time.
Powerslave Exhumed tasks you with defeating the Kilmat, a dangerous alien race, before they destroy the world. You’re cast into Egypt with nothing but a machete and a prayer, but before long, you’ll have a powerful arsenal of weapons and abilities that’ll make you feel like a super soldier! Â
The Metroidvania elements help Powerslave Exhumed stand apart from other shooters of the time. Many levels have multiple exits, with some unreachable on your first attempt. Through your adventure, you’ll find artefacts that bestow powers like lava resistance and ‘floaty’ jumps. These can be used to traverse earlier levels in ways you couldn’t before, and weaving these abilities into combat is incredibly satisfying.
I always appreciate a decent selection of weapons, and there are some incredible ones here. There’s everything from machine guns and grenades to a crazy ring that makes fireballs explode from your palms. Each weapon has a situation it excels in, and I enjoyed learning how to use each of them to their fullest (like the flamethrower cremating mummies!).
Combat is fast-paced and responsive, some of the levels are a little cramped for my liking, but there are plenty of massive areas to put your skills to the test.
The difficulty curve is perfect and quickly ramps up with most levels making the environment just as scary as the enemies that inhabit it. One false move can result in death, but as checkpoints are thoughtfully placed, I never felt too frustrated when I died.
I’m sure I missed a few, but there are plenty of well-hidden items littered through the game. Returning to levels that gave me trouble before with shiny new weapons and abilities was always fun, and I was forever looking forward to the next new toy to play with.
My only real gripe with Powerslave Exhumed is how the visuals make later levels hard to navigate. It’s easy to get lost when every wall looks the same. I missed a corridor on a few occasions because I approached it from a dodgy angle. Fortunately, the levels are small enough that fumbling around eventually got me back on track, but a few added reference points would help.
Still, this is a minor sticking point and doesn’t detract from an otherwise superb retro FPS/Metroidvania experience.
Pros
- A masterful blend of both PlayStation and Sega Saturn versions.
- Superb weapon variety.
- Light Metroidvania-style progression.
- Extensive graphics options.
Cons
- Easy to get lost
Find purchase links at Throwback Entertainment’s Powerslave Exhumed page.
Anthony is a freelance writer and has worked in the industry for four years. He’s furiously competitive and is always looking for the next big multiplayer hit. Anthony is a passionate PS1 collector and firmly believes in playing his retro games rather than letting them collect dust on a shelf. He also loves speedrunning and always looks forward to the next GDQ and ESA events.
