5/5 ★ – anarchoaspenist's review of Cruelty Squad.

possibly the greatest thing i have ever played. consistently equal parts bizarre, poignant and rewarding, this game never failed to surprise me. i personally found the references to the works of bataille particularly enjoyable, especially given my enjoyment of philosophy and i found that despite the abrasive and - honestly, often nauseating - art style to be central to the themes throughout the game and a core reason for my enjoyment of it. while combat may feel difficult and clunky at first, it quickly becomes natural as you drag your mouse up and down at lightning speed to continue your slaughter amidst a horde of flesh dogs, golems and just regular old dudes. the inclusion of a timer and grading system increases the replayability of the game and i found myself grinding out a certain secret level for weeks just to shave milliseconds off of my time - i ended with a speed somewhere in the 20-30 second range. the injection of humour throughout is a delight. honestly, while you may be put off by the visuals, this game is an utter joy to experience and one of my top recommendations - an absolute must-play.