Lichtspeer: Double Speer Edition review - More than just a neon-flavoured wave-based shooter?

Every now and again you'll find a game that's straight bonkers and doesn't apologise for it. Lichtspeer is undoubtedly one of those games.

Even when it isn't mixing upbeat electro music and '80s neon visuals, the bad guys are enough to keep you both confused and engaged for a lengthy period of time.

It's not perfect but it's definitely enjoyable, especially on the Nintendo Switch.

Lichtspeer is a spear-throwing game based in an ancient Germanic future. In it you're commanded to take up your gifted weapon and kill a whole bunch of bad guys for the Lichtgods' amusement. Fail them and face their scary, jumpy wrath.

Simply put: throw the spear, kill the baddies, please the gods. Plus, you get to look at the stylish visuals and listen to the energetic but non-distracting audio track.

It sounds simple, but thankfully there's more to it than that.

The controls are uncomplicated and smooth. You move automatically in the game, so the only thing you use the left stick for is aiming, whilst 'A' lets you charge your power and shoot once the button's released.

As the worlds go on and you earn more in-game currency the 'X', 'Y', and 'B' buttons are used for specific, upgradable powers like shields and tri-spears. This gives you more of a chance once the levels start getting intense.

These special moves have a cool-down period, meaning you've got to use them wisely. They're best saved for when you're about to get noshed on by an angry foe.

Adversary-wise, there's a good range between Hipster Giants, Penguin Vikings, Wurst Zombies, and more. These alternate between land, sea, and air, and differ somewhat in their speed and what it takes to kill them.

The levels are the same with each run through, meaning you can learn the enemy patterns and memorise the waves.

This gives you a fighting chance if you're having difficulty getting through a certain section and plays in your favour if you like breaking your own record.

Better yet, in the Switch version you can play with a friend in local co-op. With another player added to the game, the levels are much more difficult and your friendship is put through a stress test.

On the negative side of things, Lichtspeer reaches its full potential when docked, so the handheld mode is a bit cramped. There are so many enemies, and eventually dead bodies, that it's difficult to keep up with everything happening on a smaller screen.

Of course, some of you might see it as an extra challenge so there's a little bit of personal taste in that regard.

It's also hard to tell how long the thrill of the game will last given that there's not an awful lot of replayability.

With 13 levels on hand, the thing that brings you back to the game is your own desire to beat your personal score. If you're not bothered about that, you'll probably finish it in 4-6 hours and that'll be it.

Lichtspeer is a cracking wave-based - er - spear-thrower with smooth, addictive gameplay that's easy to fall in love with.

Some parts are hard as hell, and it may be repetitive or lack in replayability, but it's well made, fast-loading, fun, and doesn't hold your hand.