Written By: Patrick Orquia
Title: Squids Odyssey
Developer: The Game Bakers
Publisher: The Game Bakers
Genre: RPG, action adventure, strategy
Number of Players: 1
Release Date: 05 July 2018
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Price: $14.99
Also Available On: 3DS, iOS, WiiU
Squids Odyssey has been around for some time already. Originally a mobile game way back in 2011, it has already been ported to other platforms, including the 3DS and the Wii U. For a third time, it has come to Nintendo’s latest console, the Switch. And it seems that is has come full circle now, given that the Switch is in tablet form and the game feels just right at home in the console.
This game is a turn-based strategy RPG with flinging mechanics, where we follow a group of squids that is out to stop evil that is threatening their world. The first few levels effectively teach the basics of the game, such as how to move around the level, attack enemies, and customize characters. Your team can be comprised by any combination of character types: a scout, trooper, shooter, or a healer. A scout has higher stamina can move more, a trooper has higher HP and has a strong area attack, a shooter shoots guns from a distance, and a healer can heal your other team members by bumping into them. It’s up to you to find the most suitable combination, depending on your play style and what a particular level would require to guarantee a win.
The game follows one basic mechanic: you fling your characters around the level by pulling them back and flinging them to the opposite direction. You can use either your fingers on the touchscreen or using the Joy Con controllers or the Pro Controller. The harder you full back, the more energy it uses, and the farther and faster your character will slide along the surface. If you manage to hit an enemy, that enemy gets damage relative to the force exerted by that character plus the attack power it has. The enemy hit may also hit another enemy or hit a sea urchin which will add more damage. Scattered across the map are different items that can heal or give added benefits such as higher evasion, protective spiky shell, or, my favourite, shurikens that hit nearby enemies. Holes on the floor can also be seen on some maps that will result to instant death to your characters or enemies if they fall through them. Most of the edges of the map are also open so careful and precise movements should be done every time. You can zoom out and move around the map using the R analog stick to see enemies, urchins, current directions, anchors, and other stuff to help with your strategizing.
Also placed around the maps are treasure boxes or close clam shells that contain either treasures or pearls, the games currency. Treasures can be helmets or special items, and pearls can be used to buy stuff from the shop. Pearls can also be used to level up characters. Yes, characters, don’t automatically level up so it’s up to you to boost up their stats with helmets or buy level ups that get more and more expensive at every additional level.
Completed levels are ranked up to 3 stars and the amount of stars you get after every level depends on meeting the requirements upon their completion, such as not letting any of your characters die, finishing the levels within a set number of turns, or finding the hidden star. Each met requirements gives out pearls. Additional characters can also be met and recruited in certain levels.
With more than 90 levels are in the game and many unlockable helmets, team members, and contents Squids Odyssey is one aging yet brilliantly presented game that finds a good home on the Nintendo Switch. Because of its mobile game origins, this game is ideal to be played in short bursts, maybe a level or two for every play session. Ideal for when you’re commuting to work or just sitting comfortably from your couch, Of course, this game can also be played docked and it sure looks good on TV, but it’s much better to play it handheld, since you can use the touch screen. Overall, I really liked this game and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a good, fun game that isn’t too serious and can be enjoyed casually. Let the squids take you to an underwater adventure and put your strategizing to the test.
REPLAY VALUE: high
PROS
- Very good visuals, character design, and level design
- Excellent soundtrack and physics-based gameplay
- Pretty consistent physics mechanics
- Offers high customization to characters
- Levels can be replayed
- Helmets can provide added attributes even without having to wear them in battle
CONS
- Characters don’t level up automatically
- Only helmets can be worn by the characters; no added weapons or armor
- HD rumble is not supported
- There is quite a sharp ramp up in difficulty, even on early levels, so you will be forced to grind
- Gameplay can become very repetitive
RATING: 4/5 sea stars
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