Leave Me Alone Review
Leave Me Alone harkens back to the days of games like Streets of Rage and Comix Zone, and that’s a good thing indeed.
Taking place in an alternate 1989 (no, not like the Taylor Swift album), the world is in a bleak post-apocalyptic state. Mutants and violent thugs are out to get you. Oddly though, you don’t play a hero trying to save the world. You play a skateboarder who just wants to be left alone to grind in peace. It doesn’t sound quite as amazing as wanting to save everyone, but it is pretty fun.
Controls are of the virtual button variety and they’re somewhat competent. You’re able to put your skateboard down in order to beat up enemies or interact with doors and switches, but it’s just as easy to switch back and start grinding. A few times, I found that Leave Me Alone got a little confused, leaving me to struggle to grind along a post, but for the most part, it works quite well.
Some of the time, you’ll be embroiled in various fights, hammering buttons to inflict damage. Other times, you’ll have to use your boarding skills to negotiate electrical hazards or toxic waste. It can be tricky, but it keeps things varied.
As you make your way along, you can collect things to put towards upgrades. Then, at certain points, you can boost your health or damage, as well as unlock new abilities and skills. It’s a simple concept but an enjoyable one. It gives you a sense of progression for sure.
It all invokes memories of the beat-em-ups of the 90s, too. Leave Me Alone can be a fairly tough game but it’s a tantalizing one. The controls might occasionally be a little awkward to switch between, but you’re likely to end up forgiving them.