Guacamelee Review - Video and Raw Written Review - By Fantus
Here is the written review or you can check out the video with pretty colours and sound below this.
http://youtu.be/2URmC01c2ek
Guacamelee! Review
Metroidvania games have been making a slow come back over the last few years with gamers seeking that retro feel of exploring giant labyrinth to unlock abilities to progress further in to these mazes and find all its hidden nooks and crannies.
Last week another game joined the long list of successful metroidvania games called Guacamelee from studio Drinkbox Studio who developed the indie game series mutant blob attacks.
Does Guacamelee offer something new to this series of games or does it stand apart with its own unique style and game play?
Story / Design
The story see's Mexican Juan Aguacute who has tasked himself with saving the El Presidente's Daughter from Carlos Calaca, an evil Skeleton who soul was taken by the Devil after his made a deal with him.
But it doesn't go well for Juan because Carlos kills him in one hit.
Death isn't final and you are soon bestowed with the powers of the Luceond after finding a Mask which will help you tackle the hordes of undead and demonic creatures Carlos has at his disposal.
You soon discover that the living world has it's own counter part - the Dead world.
All so similar but with its own layout of the level. Platforms which weren't in the Living world can be access though the dead world. Lava which blocked your way in the dead world turns in to harmless water in the living world.
This gives the illusion of two giant worlds but they're only slight differences in the world and come in to play with the puzzle plat forming parts of the game.
You can only change it when you enter a portal but later on gain the ability to change it with a button press that opens the game up so much more. That doesn't make it any easier since the plat forming because insanely more tricky the further you get in the game.
The game reminds me of Super Meat boy because how quick it was, the tightness of the control and of course if you fail you instantly re spawn. No load screens which is great because you will fall to your death a lot.
As with any metroidvania style game you will unlock new abilities for Juan and these all relate to movements and attacks.
From double jumps, running up walls, body slamming, roster uppercuts to just name a few. All the abilities will come in handy to progress you further in to the world and also let you get access to previously blocked off areas.
This is where all the secrets are located to increase your maximum health & stamina which lets you perform more special move's in combat. You'll also find money from killing enemies and in hidden chests which let you unlock more abilities and stat improvement for Juan.
Gameplay
The combat in Guacamelee is fun with new elements being introduced all the time from new enemy type, having to travel between the living & dead world to hit them and then shields which can only be destroyed by certain attacks.
The only downfall is that they isn't that many enemy types but that can be forgiven because of the way the game uses the environment to deploy the enemy and the abilities they come equipped with changes in each combat arena.
The game controls are quick and easy to pick up and they is a training mode to try all the different abilities you unlock, but by the end of the game the combo's you've learned will be thrown to the side because of the way the game present's the enemies.
There are five boss fights in total and each offer a fare challenge on your first play though till you identify their patterns and abilities. Each boss will test the abilities you've learn up to the point - if you've not master these by then, you will die quickly.
But again death isn't a major issue and you will be quickly thrown back in to the fight soon enough.
The only thing that I can fault the game for is the placement of the button commands on the controller. By the end of the game you've unlocked so many abilities it can be overwhelming what order to press the buttons on the controller, in particular the sections where you have to cling on to moving platforms and wall jump.
Presentation
The visual art style of Guacamelee sets it apart from many other 2D side scrollers. From the character design to the world itself. With two distinctive backgrounds with the whole Living and Dead world each is its own unique environment.
It's a blast to explore and then you've got all the references and memes scatter though out the game, in particular the main town hub that you return to after each area. It's a treat to see all these internet & gaming references blending in so well in to this world. They do peter out near the end and would of been better if staggered though out the whole game.
Musical is phenomenal and suits the Mexican exchequer and again the living and dead version of each musical tracks are a nice twist to each song. No voice work but it doesn't really matter.
Each of your characters scripting is amusing, especially the lucadore master who teaches you new moves after you destroy his shrine that are similar to something you would see in Metroid..
As you can tell, this game is full of charm & polish - you will have a big grin on your face though out the whole game.
Verdict
With great game play, tight controls and an amazing style and personality of all its own, Guacamelee is a stand out PS3 / PS Vita classic. It's a short but delicious piece of gaming content and doesn't over stay it's welcome with over 4 hours game play to complete it. That doesn't include all the collectables in the game to find and they is a ton!
It also has co-op mode which wasn't tested for this review but from what I can tell it's fun but get's particular tricky when both players are trying to do the timed plat forming together.
Sony has also made this available as a cross play game, so if you buy it for the PS3 you also get it for the PS vita so you can keep playing on the go. The co-op allie can also use the vita as the second controller on the PS3.
It's current on the PS store for 9.99 British Pound & $14.99 dollors in the US so it is a bargain during this drought of games. I highly recommend you play this game if you like tight platformers & 2D beat em ups.