Review: Dawn of the Monsters

destructoid.com:

On March 14, 2022, the world learned of the passing of Akira Takarada. While perhaps not the most recognizable name in cinema history, the Japanese-Korean actor holds a special place in the hearts of monster movie fans, having carved out a niche in myriad Japanese creature features. Takarada starred in the original Toho production of Godzilla (1954) as well as its many sequels, while also battling beasties in the similarly themed Invasion of Astro Monster (1965), King Kong Escapes (1967), and Latitude Zero (1969). Takarada would even receive a small cameo in Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla (2014).

During his decades on the silver screen, Takarada came to understand the timeless nature of the “Kaiju” genre. There is a huge global community of fans who, no matter the generation, will flock to see gigantic neolithic monsters do battle within recognizable cityscapes — fighting it out against a backdrop of broken human politics, capitalist greed, and man’s inhumanity to man. You might be seeing a dude in a rubber suit doing a German Suplex, but you’re also being told, quite plainly, “Fuck Nukes”.

Witnessing devastation and destruction, wreaked upon the world by a cast of scaly behemoths, remains an enthralling cinematic sub-genre — and is as thematically relevant in the ’20s as it was in the ’50s. The kaiju movie has become a beloved and respected cornerstone of science fiction, equally recognized and celebrated in WayForward’s brand new slugfest Dawn of the Monsters.

So pull on your big rubber feet, and let’s Do the Stomp.

Dawn of the Monsters (PlayStation [PS5 reviewed], Xbox, PC, Nintendo Switch) Developer: 13AM Games Publisher: WayForward Released: March 15, 2022 MSRP: $29.99

Storming out of Canadian independent studio 13AM