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There is something to be said about independent games. Since they do not have the resources to advertize on the same level as bigger companies, they have to find other ways to draw attention. One way to do this is in the form of unique game play, like World of Goo or Bit. Trip Beat. Another way is to take familiar game play and then wrap it up in the most bizarre package possible. Semnat Studios’ Eduardo the Samurai Toaster, if the title alone is not a big enough hint, falls into the latter category. An incredibly competent Metal Slug clone, Eduardo still manages to be unique thanks to how it is stylized.
 

You play as the titular Eduardo, but you fight more like a toaster than a samurai, blasting away with toast fired from your head. This toast can be upgraded in the usual ways: Machine Gun, Rocket Launcher, Spread Shot, and so on. The only unique thing, game play wise, is that you have the ability to grab incoming projectiles and toss them back.

Eduardo’s 13 levels are fast and frantic, with endless hordes of foes swarming you at all times. The enemies become so great at points that the camera has to pull back to a wider perspective to display them all. Fortunately, your controls are up to the task, responding fluidly to your commands and the previously mentioned ability to throw back projectiles becomes a life saver. Players used to rapid-fire should be warned however: that technology does not exist here and the potential for cramped thumbs is high.

For the first few stages, you will be marveling at the bizarre things you need to shoot. The primary enemies appear to be evil Japanese Prayer Wards that occasionally drop Luchadore Masks which give Eduardo his power-ups. Other enemies include spear chucking carrots, laser shooting bee faces with evil goatees, giant peaches that lob exploding coconuts and two more things that defy description.

Unfortunately, the game quickly run out of new enemies and this leads to what is arguably Eduardo’s biggest flaw: No real boss fights. While some of the larger enemies serve as the occasional road block, most stages have a tendency to end abruptly, giving the game a slightly disjointed feel. This holds true even on the last stage. You fight something vaguely Final Boss-shaped but it is functionally no different than enemies you have fought before.

Despite the lack of closure, the game is still good fun to blast your way through. The single player mode is a decent length with enough selectable difficulty that all players can find their comfort zones. The multiplayer covers the same content, but allows for hectic four-player action that can strain some friendships if Friendly Fire is turned on.

Eduardo the Samurai Toaster is an independent game that was made by about five people. As a result, the game may not have as much hype or polish as something corporately backed. However, Semnat Studios have done their best to make a unique looking experience and the most eye catching thing may be that it is fun to play.