There's definitely an element of luck to be had here if you don't get the right weapon for a specific stage, or some well-timed drops to help you out in a pinch, you'll likely fail. At first glance, its emphasis on random item drops - and the fact that you start out each level with the weakest weapon and get only what enemies leave behind - Crimsonland may seem entirely luck-based. What's so intriguing about the campaign - and, in turn, the other modes that surround it - is how dynamic such a simple premise with equally simple controls can be. I love how versatile the weapons and perks are, even if the latter can only be used outside of the campaign.

Others can sacrifice your energy (or even your life outright) in order to gain a one-time bonus, like an instant add-on to your final score. Some perks can make you quicker, or regenerate your health, or make your weapons stronger. There's not a lot of balance between items in your arsenal - some firearms are straight-up better than others, especially those with spreadshot - but the perks definitely cater to specific styles of play. The weapons and perks are greatly varied, and you'll definitely find a few of each that you prefer as you play. This is awesome, since there's a reason to play everything. You might want to jump right to the leaderboards from the word go, but that'd be a mistake everything you need to learn and earn rests in a campaign that you'd be foolish to ignore. Better yet, at the end of each level, you'll unlock a new perk or weapon that can be used while chasing high scores on the leaderboards. Cruising through each almost identical-looking level - which could take anywhere from 30 seconds to a few minutes each - teaches you the finer points of Crimsonland's brutal risk and reward-centric combat, which can in turn be parlayed into its many score-based challenges. Play The bulk of Crimsonland can be found in its 60-stage campaign, a litany of stages that are repetitive, but not mindlessly so.