It was popular for a time to denigrate this 1994 title, to dismiss it as a technology showcase masquerading as a game. I beg to differ. DKC is a distilled fusion of Sonic and Mario – thrilling speed with precise controls. The first rule of DKC is “don't hesitate.” Follow your first impulse and you'll enjoy a wild ride equaled only by select endless runners. Even the humble bonus rooms keep the energy going, bouncing you back into the action without delay. Later stages in DKC forget this rhythm (to their detriment), but they're not half as guilty as the overrated sequels.
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@EldestBrisingr
I feel underqualified to truly comment on the Sonic series -- I have started (and re-started) a number of titles from the series but have never finished one. I'm drawn to Sonic's impressive speed but repulsed by the platforming. This is perhaps why I like DKC1 so much -- it takes what I like about Sonic (hair-trigger speed scenarios like the barrel-blasts) and marries it with Mario-esque platforming (focused horizontality, a camera that's locked to the stage instead of the player, and shorter acceleration).
This prompts an interesting question: can you make a solid 2D platformer that succeeds in both vertical and horizontal orientation? Sonic has the springboards that really catapult you into the stratosphere -- it's briefly ecstatic but over time just anxiety inducing, knowing there will be spikes or lava waiting below. Sonic's moveset is clearly intending for horizontal progress but the stages are sprawling vertical mazes as well. If you know any titles that do both of these axes justice, let me know!
I feel underqualified to truly comment on the Sonic series -- I have started (and re-started) a number of titles from the series but have never finished one. I'm drawn to Sonic's impressive speed but repulsed by the platforming. This is perhaps why I like DKC1 so much -- it takes what I like about Sonic (hair-trigger speed scenarios like the barrel-blasts) and marries it with Mario-esque platforming (focused horizontality, a camera that's locked to the stage instead of the player, and shorter acceleration).
This prompts an interesting question: can you make a solid 2D platformer that succeeds in both vertical and horizontal orientation? Sonic has the springboards that really catapult you into the stratosphere -- it's briefly ecstatic but over time just anxiety inducing, knowing there will be spikes or lava waiting below. Sonic's moveset is clearly intending for horizontal progress but the stages are sprawling vertical mazes as well. If you know any titles that do both of these axes justice, let me know!
Actually, I’ve got a perfect recommendation for you — Pizza Tower. The main character, Peppino, can move blisteringly fast. Crashing into walls is inevitable when starting out; however, you don’t have to worry about dying outside of boss fights and escape sequences. It’s less frustrating in that sense, but there’s a high skill ceiling thanks to a deep moveset and ranking system that rewards you for maintaining speed and finding all of the secrets. I’ve gotten a P-rank for most levels and attempting those is when the game shines the brightest imo.
Pizza Tower isn’t just a horizontal platformer though. There’s plenty of verticality made possible by Peppino’s abilities to run up walls and perform a Mario 2-style super jump. These ensure every conceivable arrangement of platforms can be traversed seamlessly once you come to grips with the movement. The levels are actually composed entirely of straight lines and 45° inclines; no curved slopes like in Sonic. However, it works because there’s a balance between moments where you can hold the run button to rampage through enemies and moments that necessitate a variety of inputs to maintain your flow. Sonic 3 & Knuckles sort of did this, but it tended to segregate the speed and platforming rather than combining them. To be fair, Sonic levels hide a ton of secrets and exploring was not only encouraged for rings, power-ups, and extra lives, but often required for achieving the best ending. Pizza Tower hides only a few secrets per level, which makes sense due to the larger focus on speed and death being almost a non-factor.
I really like Sonic and Pizza Tower, but in terms of doing both axes justice, the latter wins easily. It also got an update recently where one of the bosses became playable, complete with a unique moveset. I still need to play and review that, but if it’s anything like the base game, it will be a delight.
Also, if you would like to be friends on Steam, my username is the same as Backloggd. 🙂
Pizza Tower isn’t just a horizontal platformer though. There’s plenty of verticality made possible by Peppino’s abilities to run up walls and perform a Mario 2-style super jump. These ensure every conceivable arrangement of platforms can be traversed seamlessly once you come to grips with the movement. The levels are actually composed entirely of straight lines and 45° inclines; no curved slopes like in Sonic. However, it works because there’s a balance between moments where you can hold the run button to rampage through enemies and moments that necessitate a variety of inputs to maintain your flow. Sonic 3 & Knuckles sort of did this, but it tended to segregate the speed and platforming rather than combining them. To be fair, Sonic levels hide a ton of secrets and exploring was not only encouraged for rings, power-ups, and extra lives, but often required for achieving the best ending. Pizza Tower hides only a few secrets per level, which makes sense due to the larger focus on speed and death being almost a non-factor.
I really like Sonic and Pizza Tower, but in terms of doing both axes justice, the latter wins easily. It also got an update recently where one of the bosses became playable, complete with a unique moveset. I still need to play and review that, but if it’s anything like the base game, it will be a delight.
Also, if you would like to be friends on Steam, my username is the same as Backloggd. 🙂
@EldestBrisingr
I've been curious about Pizza Tower, even though I find the purposefully repulsive art style...repulsive, LOL.
But enough voices I trust have been recommending it, so now with your vote, I think I'll have to give it a spin :)
I've been curious about Pizza Tower, even though I find the purposefully repulsive art style...repulsive, LOL.
But enough voices I trust have been recommending it, so now with your vote, I think I'll have to give it a spin :)
EldestBrisingr
1 month ago