Platformer Archives - Tech-Gaming

Ninja or Die: Shadow of the Sun review

Robert Allen — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 22:40:18 +0000

Fans of quirky roguelikes will enjoy Ninja or Die’s soaring leaps, and straightforward combat, all set in a world brimming with attractive, pixel-art interpretations of Japanese folklore. Games that challenge you with mastering sophisticated control schemes or place you in dazzling, three-dimensional worlds can obviously be entertaining. But Ninja or Die: Shadow of the Sun ...

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Mr. Run and Jump mini-review

Robert Allen — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 21:13:23 +0000

Mr. Run and Jump and Dive and Swear and Throw the Controller Mr. Run and Jump is a title, the name of the game’s protagonist, but also a tidy synopsis of mechanics. Originally released in 2021 as an Atari 2600 title, developer John Mikula worked with Atari to provide a comprehensive modernization. No longer are ...

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Tiny Thor review

Robert Allen — Sun, 18 Jun 2023 20:16:48 +0000

Running and dashing through Tiny Thor’s succession of thirty stages is competent. But real fun occurs when you get to control the juvenile god’s potent hammer. The best platformers deliver a constant sense of discovery. Games like New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe and Rayman Legends pack each stage with innovation. Novelties range from new ...

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Forza Polpo! review

Robert Allen — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 20:05:40 +0000

With the occasional navigational struggles as well as falls that can instantly end your game, Forza Polpo has its faults. But it also feels like visiting an alternative universe where Exact is still making entrancing first-person, low-poly romps. Long before their output became a steady stream of generic blockbusters, Sony published some amazingly creative titles. ...

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Grim Guardians: Demon Purge review

Robert Allen — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 04:23:30 +0000

Who knew that killing nasty creatures would make for a fun familiar affair? Founded by former Capcom staff, Inti Creates makes the type of game that most mid to large-sized publishers have long abandoned. Although the Ichikawa-based studio is behind Gal Gun’s three-dimensional shooting, they’re probably better known for their 2D output. Filling monitors with ...

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Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe review

Robert Allen — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 22:37:43 +0000

Prepare to be Tickled Pink Typically, thirtieth birthdays can be a bit somber. There’s the nagging worry that the prime of life is now in your rear-view mirror, replaced by the dour realities of adulthood. But following Kirby and the Forgotten Land and Kirby’s Dream Buffet, the release of Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe ...

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Donut Dodo review

Robert Allen — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 20:05:31 +0000

It’s on like Donkey Kong- and several other ‘80s-era coin-ops Gaming during the 1980s was a thoroughly enchanting experience. Not only did dedicated arcades dot the landscape, but coin-ops machines filled the alcoves of supermarkets, bowling alleys, and even some casual restaurants. Crowds habitually surrounded these electronic wonders, each person captivated by the union of ...

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Lunistice review

Robert Allen — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 00:32:06 +0000

Lunistice harks back to the era of 32-bit mascot platformers. Given the game’s exceedingly reasonable price, putting up with the intermittent misstep is tolerable. Premium-priced gaming receives a disproportionate amount of our attention. But sporadically, an economically priced indie title arrives, challenging the dominant business model. That’s the case with solo developer A Grumpy ...

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Aeterna Noctis (Switch) review

Robert Allen — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 18:53:38 +0000

Looking for an adventure with challenging platforming and demanding combat? Aeterna Noctis offers both, but adversity is accompanied by a bit too much aggravation. At first glance, Aeterna Noctis seems like another indistinctive Metroidvania. You play as the King of Darkness, condemned to compete for control of the world against the Queen of Light. The rivalry has been ...

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Pac-Man World Re-Pac review

Robert Allen — Sun, 04 Sep 2022 02:27:01 +0000

With most of yesteryear’s classics already remade or remastered, we’re starting to see the resurrection of the more middling efforts. Pac-Man World might have been liked upon its original release but the expectations for 3D platformers have escalated. Re-Pac offers upscaled nostalgia and improved responsiveness, but not much more. During the late ‘90s, the platforming ...

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Hell Pie review

Robert Allen — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 18:54:35 +0000

Hell Pie’s combat is bland and the humor is only mildly revolting. But the sense of exploration and navigation are satisfying, so it’s not all sour. For Nate, whose professional title is “The Demon of Bad Taste”, hell isn’t much worse than suburban tedium. When he’s not BBQing in his backyard, Nate spends his workweek ...

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Firegirl: Hack ‘n Splash Rescue DX review

Robert Allen — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 01:29:27 +0000

Firegirl brandishes adorable looks and enjoyable action reminiscent of respected platformers. But lackluster performance and a lack of explanations means this game is more tepid than blazing hot. Firefighting has a restrained but respectable track record in gaming. Tiles such as 1995’s The Ignition Factor, 1998’s Burning Rangers, 2004’s Firefighter F.D.18, and 2009’s Real ...

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TOKOYO: The Tower of Perpetuity review

Robert Allen — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 18:22:08 +0000

Was it Heraclitus who said, “You never set foot in the same tower twice?” With the ubiquity of traits like procedurally-generated stages and permadeath, there’s a good chance you might be fatigued by the deluge of recent roguelikes. But developer //commentout (aka @saebashi) makes several inventive design decisions with TOKOYO: The Tower of Perpetuity, making ...

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Souldiers review

Robert Allen — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 20:13:23 +0000

A sum of familiar elements, Souldiers delivers solid, exploration-based action-platforming led by a trio of playables. Game descriptors “metroidvanias”, “soulslike”, and “roguelike” are pervasive in 2022. Seemingly every week, publishers both large and small release a title that brandishes these terms. Souldiers, the inaugural effort from Spanish developer Retro Forge generously draws from gamings ...

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Lumote: The Mastermote Chronicles review

Robert Allen — Mon, 09 May 2022 01:23:11 +0000

Looking for a relaxing platforming puzzler than you can tackle at your own pace? Lumote: The Mastermote Chronicles offers a relaxing and vibrant eight-hour retreat from the world. But know that you won’t find much variety on your digital vacation. Appropriate for a game set in bioluminescent environments filled with anemone-like creatures, Lumote: The Mastermote ...

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Grapple Dog review

Robert Allen — Sun, 13 Feb 2022 20:23:53 +0000

Man’s best friend uses one of gaming’s best gizmos across 33 stages of increasingly intense platforming action. Pedro the dog has been a bad boy. Separated from his anthropomorphic colleagues, he’s fallen down a deep shaft. There he meets a small robot named Nul, who suspiciously coaxes him into opening a treasure chest. Inside is ...

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Not Quite Domesticated: Kukoos – Lost Pets

Robert Allen — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 22:02:36 +0000

Kukoos – Lost Pets has the appearance of a top-tier platformer. But a multitude of blemishes keep the effort from offering uninterrupted enjoyment. A well-designed 3D platformer can be almost a magical experience. From Banjo-Kazooie, Super Mario 3D World, and even New Super Lucky’s Tale, exploring methodically made environments, hunting down arrays of collectables, and ...

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Epic Dumpster Bear 2: He Who Bears Wins mini-review

Robert Allen — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 03:56:07 +0000

The title is nearly nonsensical and the visuals are rudimentary. But this peculiar little platformer is surprisingly entertaining. Digital marketplaces are filled with meme games- unpolished titles that flaunt an ironically amateurish appearance. Like their internet namesake, these titles might provide a gentle laugh but playing them often doesn’t provide the traditional sense of satisfaction. ...

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Aeterna Noctis review

Robert Allen — Sun, 02 Jan 2022 20:18:46 +0000

Looking for an adventure with arduous platforming and challenging combat? Aeterna Noctis offers more challenge than most of its explorational-driven peers. At first glance, Aeterna Noctis seems like another indistinctive Metroidvania. You play as the King of Darkness, condemned to complete for control of the world against the Queen of Light. The rivalry has been ...

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Demon Turf review

Robert Allen — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 16:23:22 +0000

This decidedly old-school platformer brings back the thrills and quirks of mid-nineties gaming. Those hoping to revisit that age might want to stake their claim on Demon Turf. But those acclimatized to the luxuries of modern platformers will probably want to retreat to more heavenly pastures. The end of the last millennium offered a multitude ...

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