(The Vintage Tempest)
Available for the PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
Nintendo Switch version was evaluated
Some run-and-gun games have a devoted following since the first title of a franchise appeared in arcades decades ago. To offer something fresh is even tougher, and I believe Mighty Goose has the makings of something new in its retro-style and Mario-like gameplay. You collect coins so you can buy power-ups or gear to make surviving to the end of the level easier.
I was surprised I could backtrack to collect items that I sometimes missed grabbing on the first run. Sometimes it’s better to save that box of bandaids to heal up after clearing a screen! As with many games in this sub-genre, it’s easy to get hurt. Having quick reflexes helps to reach the tougher levels of this game.
The humour is in the same style as Metal Slug, but with an anthropomorphic twist. I had to laugh out loud at the antics of the helpers you meet along the way and moments of bullet time when the game gets intense. The duck lets loose with a grenade-like weapon from its behind, and well, the rest you have to see. The vivid colour palette makes playing on a big screen an experience, and on the handheld side, it’s easy to become lost when the screen becomes flooded with lots of villains to shoot at.
Ammunition is limited, and that’s to be expected. You can’t just run and shoot at everything. Eventually, you’ll run out and that’s when the hurt begins. Sometimes it’s better to keep moving and jumping to dodge those auto gunners.
This game sets you on a collision course of nine levels of retro gaming style fun, and the difficulty gets insane because of where the checkpoints are placed. I can survive up to level three before gameplay becomes tough. Either I need to keep practising or have to drink lots of coffee.
Blastmode and MP2 Games have a fun hit on their hands. When played in moderation, it will keep any gamer’s attention going for a few weeks before trying another product.
3 Stars out of 5
