Written by Litton Raysoul
Title: Splasher
Developer: Splashteam
Publisher: Plug In Digital
Price: $14.99
Genre: Platformer
Also Available On: PC, PS4, XB1
Combining platforming with ink based puzzles similar to Splatoon, Splasher poses as one of the most interesting indie platformer on the Nintendo Switch. While this is Splashteam’s first game, the developers are not really novices in this genre as some of them have already worked with games like Rayman Legends and Rayman Origins. With those experiences, they made a game that would be a treat to platforming fans.
In Splasher, you play as a worker for Inkorp, who have just learned about the evil-doings of the company. Equipped with a water and paint gun, you’ll be utilizing it and your own platforming skills to escape while rescuing your fellow workers along the way. The story is quite non-existent, but the light tone of its premise can be compared to a Saturday morning cartoon.
Each levels are designed carefully, with most of the starting levels introduce the mechanics like a tutorial. Along the game, you will be able to unlock and utilize different ink types. For example, a red ink lets you cling and run along walls, while yellow ink lets you bounce to reach some sections. I felt that this is an interesting mechanic, but it has a lot to improve in terms on how you will utilize it. More often, it is really obvious on where you will be using the ink, rather than creating your own path to move through the stage. Most of the enemies can simply be destroyed by any ink, but there are few ones that you need to utilize the environment in order to kill them. However, I noticed that there are only a few variations of them. Collectibles are available in a form of co-workers, where you collect them to spell out SPLASH!.
While the movement feels a bit floaty, it is accurate enough that you can use the analog stick to play the game. The game doesn’t have lives, so if you die, you will just respawn on the last checkpoint. This would reduce the frustration as some of the latter levels are quite hard and tricky. There is also no time limits, so you can take your time in finishing a single level. There is a time attack mode however, if you plan to do a speed run of the game.
The graphics are clean enough to properly know what the interactive objects are, and where you can maneuver. It also helps that it is rendered at 60 frames-per-second, which compliments the fast movements of your character. The environmental design features a somewhat apocalyptic nuclear factory with mutant creatures, but it is drawn in a cartoony way to make it less disturbing. The music design is somewhat a miss. It consists mostly of retro inspired techno music, but there are no stand out tracks and most of them are forgettable.
All said, this game provides that scratch to cure that platformer itch. While I think that this game needs further improvements (maybe on the sequel), it is enjoyable enough on its own. It is not a game that screams “Buy me!”, but if you have some spare bucks, this is really worth a try.
The Good
- Decent platforming challenges
- Clean and smooth graphics
The Bad
- Forgettable music
- Might be too hard on the latter stages
Review Score: 7/10
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