Chenso Club

Honestly? Not a fan. Combat is way too clunky, the power-ups are mostly meaningless, 50% of the enemies are flying stuff, and the roguelite structure is... confusing... To say the least. You have to replay levels to get stronger to fight the final boss, but the currency is your life points (???) and you depend on randomly selected rooms for the "shop" to spawn to get stronger. In the meantime, there is basically no meta-progression, and if you die, you lose all that "skill up" progress. Either make a full roguelike where you die and start from 0 every time, or add meta-progression for a decent roguelite. The in-between sucks, this structure sucks. The story is a nothingburger, it tries to add existential depth to "some" stuff, but it just doesn't belong to a game with this style and these characters (my hair is a chainsaw bruh, I don't care about your broke ass). Could have gone for something more lighthearted and silly. Graphics are cool, well-made pixel art, having 5 characters is great, and the music is really great, but this was a mess and I ain't planning on returning.

Chenso Club is an energetic blend of roguelite progression and side-scrolling action that thrives on its colorful personality and arcade-inspired design. Developed by Pixadome and published by Aurora Punks, the game introduces players to a world under attack by bizarre extraterrestrial invaders. Rather than focusing on an elaborate plot, it embraces a lighthearted premise in which a group of stylish heroines discovers that defeated aliens leave behind bio-energy capable of enhancing their abilities. The result is a game that immediately establishes its playful identity and never strays from its mission of delivering fast, accessible entertainment. At its core, Chenso Club revolves around rapid combat and constant movement. Every playable character brings distinct weapons, attack patterns, and special abilities to the battlefield, giving players a reason to experiment with multiple runs. The combat system rewards aggression and precision equally, encouraging players to stay mobile while taking advantage of enemy weaknesses. Stages are procedurally arranged, ensuring that encounters remain unpredictable and forcing players to adapt rather than rely solely on memorization. This structure makes each session feel fresh, particularly during the opening hours when players are still learning the strengths of the game's diverse cast. One of the title's more interesting mechanics is its use of alien energy as a valuable resource. Instead of functioning purely as currency, this energy becomes central to progression and strategic decision-making. Players can spend it on upgrades, healing opportunities, and temporary advantages, but doing so often involves balancing immediate benefits against long-term survival. This system gives Chenso Club more depth than its cheerful visuals initially suggest. There is a satisfying tension in deciding whether to push forward with limited health or invest resources early to improve the odds of completing a run. The game's presentation deserves considerable praise. Its pixel art is vibrant and expressive, successfully combining retro aesthetics with modern animation techniques. Character designs are memorable without becoming overly complicated, while enemies strike an enjoyable balance between absurdity and menace. Explosions, attacks, and movement animations contribute to a sense of momentum that keeps the action visually engaging. Accompanying the visuals is an upbeat soundtrack that complements the pace of combat, helping maintain the game's lively atmosphere from beginning to end. Chenso Club also benefits from its cooperative features. Local multiplayer adds another dimension to the experience, transforming challenging encounters into chaotic and entertaining team efforts. The cooperative gameplay feels natural, allowing friends to coordinate strategies while sharing in the excitement of discovering new upgrades and surviving difficult boss encounters. This addition significantly enhances replay value and makes the game particularly well suited for players who enjoy couch co-op experiences, a feature that remains relatively uncommon in many modern roguelites. Despite its strengths, Chenso Club's smaller scope becomes more noticeable over extended play sessions. Players seeking extensive lore, intricate progression systems, or a lengthy campaign may find the overall package somewhat limited. Enemy variety, while sufficient for several hours of gameplay, can begin to feel familiar over time, and some additional unlockables or post-game content would have further strengthened the experience. Nevertheless, these issues do little to diminish the game's charm, as it consistently delivers on the promises established by its premise. Ultimately, Chenso Club succeeds by embracing simplicity and executing it exceptionally well. It is a polished indie title that understands its audience, offering a satisfying mix of action, replayability, and personality without overstaying its welcome. Fans of roguelites, arcade brawlers, and retro-inspired games will find plenty to enjoy in its colorful alien-infested world. While it may not redefine the genre, it confidently earns its place among the more enjoyable indie action releases of recent years. Rating: 7/10