K.O.L.M. (hereafter KOLM) is a great little flash based game that everyone should really play through once. It's described by the creators as being kinda like Metroid. Well, it is. It's kind of like the original Metroid. If you gave it very sad, haunting music in the background and an atmosphere of tension. So, Metroid with the secret room music EVERYWHERE and a disheartening dialogue to 'help' you along the way.
KOLM is a robot that is just trying to please his mum. He's been taken apart and needs to put himself back together again. Necessary upgrades are usually in plain view, while hidden metal plates that you don't need to collect, but they are mysterious, so hunt them down.
There is an interchange between KOLM and mommy that is somewhat akin to the interactions of the player and SHODAN in System Shock 2. This plot isn't as thick, nor is it thin, and I can't talk about it any more without revealing anything. You'll just have to play.
The game controls very well for being keyboard based. The arrow keys move you back and forth and allow for all that fun 2D action. True to the Metroid form, you have to go find all your power ups. The only other buttons you have to worry about are jumping and firing. For the most part you'll know where to go and what to do. If you see an enemy or trap, learn how it wants to kill you, and then kill it. You're on a one-hit-kills lifespan but infinite lives. Unlike Metroid, you'll start at the beginning of the room where you died, and anything you've done will remain. IE, boss battles are difficult, but you can spam yourself into the battle and eventually win.
When the game is finished you'll receive your score, which is modified by a few factors such as time to completion and deaths. I had to play through a few times in order to get a descent score, and you probably will, too.
KOLM gets me in the mood to play Super Metroid again, and that's always a good thing.
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