Tobe's Vertical Adventure
Gonna leave my impressions of this one since many people here are saying it aint worth it for some mysterious reason.
Keep in mind that at the time i write this post ive only beaten Tobe's Story Mode (4 worlds with 4 levels each) getting 100% of rescues and treasure. There's another Story mode with a different character and another Story mode exclusive to co-op.
Im really loving it. The art style is wonderful, the 16bit graphics are gorgeous, the levels freel rewarding and are never frustrating in the least. People mentioned controls; i had 0 problems with them. Tobe controls perfectly and yes, sometimes there's an emphasis in timing jumps just right and whatnot, but every great platformer in the vein of this one is like that. Really feels like a new-old Genesis game. The only weird choice i found is to map the action botton to "down" on the d-pad, but you only use it to open chests and enter doors, so you'll get used to it.
You control your character by running, rolling, wall-jumping, grabbing on ledges, etc. Your usual platformer deal.
The challenge is to get to the bottom of the level to get the big treasure, while at the same time rescuing pet bunnies and other animals (reminded me of Sonic) and collecting gems and other smaller treasures.
Once you open the big chest at the bottom, big red timer shows up and you need to go back to the surface as fast as you can, metroid style (with spikes going up to put pressure on you in the last level of each world) . While in this "escape" mode, the levels crumble and change, breaking down walls and revealing new platforms and such. Some of the treasure and pets are only accesible during this part, but its easy to recognize wich treasure you can get only on the "escape" part since the walls that crumble are different from the others.
Dont know if i made myself clear there, but what it means is that you wont be busting your head going "how the fuck do i get this chest?" while going down the level. You'll instantly realize that the walls near it will crumble and that you'll get it later on while escaping the level and going through that same part. It really works, feels rewarding and never punishing.
The levels are varied enough in each different world, and while the enemies themselves dont vary too much from each other (or show any real threat at all), there's always a small new mechanic implemented that keeps things fresh.
You have two items (crucial to get some of the treasures or escape the levels in time); chains and balloons, and they serve different purposes. The chain allows you to throw it up to stick in a roof and fall down so you can climb on it (like a rope), and the balloons work as a parachute, since you take damage when falling from long heights. You start each level with a number of these but you can collect more in the level itself.
Only other thing that you should know is that while the keyboard controls arent customizable, they are really comfy for once. WASD to move and "J" "K" and "L" for the different actions. Of course it plays a better with a joystick.
aaand that's pretty much it! im finding the game to be really really fun and more than worth it at that price point. Kinda sad it isnt getting the attention it deserves.
Some screens i took myself:
Game is great, so if you're feeling like playing a good ol pixelart platformer, there's no reason not to get it at $4.5
the only complaint i can put together is that the game might be a bit on the short side (took me 2 hours to finish the first story mode), but with two SP story modes and another exclusive one for co-op (wich i cant wait to play since i figure its the real meat of the game, apparently there's some co-op moves involved and required to advance), i think you'll get more than your money's worth.
Gonna leave my impressions of this one since many people here are saying it aint worth it for some mysterious reason.
Keep in mind that at the time i write this post ive only beaten Tobe's Story Mode (4 worlds with 4 levels each) getting 100% of rescues and treasure. There's another Story mode with a different character and another Story mode exclusive to co-op.
Im really loving it. The art style is wonderful, the 16bit graphics are gorgeous, the levels freel rewarding and are never frustrating in the least. People mentioned controls; i had 0 problems with them. Tobe controls perfectly and yes, sometimes there's an emphasis in timing jumps just right and whatnot, but every great platformer in the vein of this one is like that. Really feels like a new-old Genesis game. The only weird choice i found is to map the action botton to "down" on the d-pad, but you only use it to open chests and enter doors, so you'll get used to it.
You control your character by running, rolling, wall-jumping, grabbing on ledges, etc. Your usual platformer deal.
The challenge is to get to the bottom of the level to get the big treasure, while at the same time rescuing pet bunnies and other animals (reminded me of Sonic) and collecting gems and other smaller treasures.
Once you open the big chest at the bottom, big red timer shows up and you need to go back to the surface as fast as you can, metroid style (with spikes going up to put pressure on you in the last level of each world) . While in this "escape" mode, the levels crumble and change, breaking down walls and revealing new platforms and such. Some of the treasure and pets are only accesible during this part, but its easy to recognize wich treasure you can get only on the "escape" part since the walls that crumble are different from the others.
Dont know if i made myself clear there, but what it means is that you wont be busting your head going "how the fuck do i get this chest?" while going down the level. You'll instantly realize that the walls near it will crumble and that you'll get it later on while escaping the level and going through that same part. It really works, feels rewarding and never punishing.
The levels are varied enough in each different world, and while the enemies themselves dont vary too much from each other (or show any real threat at all), there's always a small new mechanic implemented that keeps things fresh.
You have two items (crucial to get some of the treasures or escape the levels in time); chains and balloons, and they serve different purposes. The chain allows you to throw it up to stick in a roof and fall down so you can climb on it (like a rope), and the balloons work as a parachute, since you take damage when falling from long heights. You start each level with a number of these but you can collect more in the level itself.
Only other thing that you should know is that while the keyboard controls arent customizable, they are really comfy for once. WASD to move and "J" "K" and "L" for the different actions. Of course it plays a better with a joystick.
aaand that's pretty much it! im finding the game to be really really fun and more than worth it at that price point. Kinda sad it isnt getting the attention it deserves.
Some screens i took myself:
Game is great, so if you're feeling like playing a good ol pixelart platformer, there's no reason not to get it at $4.5
the only complaint i can put together is that the game might be a bit on the short side (took me 2 hours to finish the first story mode), but with two SP story modes and another exclusive one for co-op (wich i cant wait to play since i figure its the real meat of the game, apparently there's some co-op moves involved and required to advance), i think you'll get more than your money's worth.
. It does lack something though that the original Puzzle Quest had. It might be the length or just the lack of sidequests but something was certainly missing from the game to make it a big recommendation...