The Expendabros (for PC)

Formulating the Plan
The Windows-only Expendabros is a side-scrolling, pixel-graphics, run-and-gun platformer, in the same vein as Contra or Metal Slug. The goal? Take out the enemy while blowing up everything in your path. The keyboard controls are simple: The arrow keys control movement and jumping, Z fires your character's main weapon, X is a secondary weapon, and C unleashes a melee attack. If you're a pad player, you'll be happy to learn that The Expendabros supports the Xbox 360$249.99 at Amazon and Xbox One$369.95 at Amazon controllers. Your success during missions boils down to familiarization with and application of these controls. The Expendabros is easy to learn but very difficult to master.

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The Crew
Each Expendables-based character carries unique weapons. Characters are unlocked by rescuing captured bros who are scattered throughout a level. Releasing said bro automatically puts you in control of the new character, thus changing the gameplay. Sylvester Stallone's character, Broney Ross (Barney Ross), shoots dual pistols and tosses sticky-bombs as his secondary attack. Wesley Snipes' character, Broctor Death, is knife-based melee fighter. A certain joy swells inside you when your cutesy, pixelated character absolutely shreds enemy combatants. Each of the seven playable characters changes the fighting formula a bit, so, while the goals remain the same, reaching them and defeating the enemies en route is a different experience with each bro.
On Death and DyingThe Expendabros has a ton of action happening at once, and you're often the catalyst for the on-screen mayhem. With screen-filling explosions and geysers of blood and meat shooting in all directions, it's easy to feel like a badass, only to lose track of the stray bullet that drops you like a sack of potatoes.
Despite being masters of excessive force, the heroes die from a single hit, be it a bullet, missile, dog-bite, or buzzsaw. Levels are littered with traps, explosives, pitfalls, and more, on top of the hordes of enemies who will shoot you on sight. The Expendabros utilizes the same gameplay mechanics as Broforce, so you can tear through the highly destructible environments to get around traps or enemies. Regardless of how you circumvent or conquer the stages, be aware that you will die a lot.
That said, death doesn't inspire an ulcer-inducing rage so much as a "whoops, try again" vibe. Stages are short, reloads are fast, controls are tight, and checkpoints are plentiful.
I'll Be Back
The Expendabros is a fairly short game, one that will only take you about an hour to complete, but it's free and doesn't require a Broforce purchase. My one major gripe is the lack of online multiplayer, but this is likely a deliberate choice by developer Free Lives Games to entice players to look into Broforce, which does feature online multiplayer. Still, there is no reason not to download and play The Expendabros, unless you don't like being limited to local four-player co-op, or you hate explosions, freedom and 'Murica. Download it now: Expendabros is available on Steam, but only until December 31, 2014.