Kickstarted brawler Combo Queen is totally gorgeous, brutally difficult, out now

Last year, we pointed you towards a Kickstarter project for Combo Queen, which Chris called "a stylish action-RPG that turns taps into impressive combos".

The project soon hit its humble $5,000 goal, and - a few months later - the game is now available on iOS. We've played it and can confirm that it is indeed stylish, and it's also an incredible challenge.

You play as the Combo Queen - a scantily-clad warrior with a battle axe - whose job is to wreck as many monsters as possible. You automatically dash from fight to fight, and then take up a battle stance.

From here you need to tap the right side of the screen when the square marker spins into place. And if the baddy takes a swing, you need to hit the left side at the right time to parry.

It's a game of timing, rhythm, and reaction, but it doesn't go easy on you. In the earliest battles - nay, in the tutorial - you're going to need the response time of a Venus fly trap to succeed.

Get through the battle, though, and you'll earn XP and cash which goes towards more powerful combos and equipment. Maybe you can buy this poor girl a coat. She looks freezing.

The real star of the show, of course, is the pixel art. This is a chunky, detailed, and colourful world that uses the art form of the 90s to make something fresh, rather than slavishly retro. It looks good, is what I'm saying.

Anyway. The game's out now, it costs £1.49 / $1.99, and it's got no in-app purchases. Only expert-level Bayonetta fans and kung fu masters need apply.