Matthew Gallagher
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COGConnected Latest Reviews
Black The Fall is a puzzle platformer which wears its influences on its sleeve. Many have been quick to point out its similarities to games like Inside and dismissed as being too similar to be relevant. However, much of the indie platformer scene is nipping at Playdead’s heals, so borrowing aesthetics from them isn’t enough in itself to write a game off if it is genuinely engaging. Sadly, Black The Fall doesn’t bring enough to the table to stand out in the competitive indie market.
Just when I was beginning to forget about rhyme games Aaero flies in and reminds me just how compelling the genre can be. Few games have combined rail shooting with rhythm game mechanics and yet Aaero showcases just how well they fit together with a combination of tight controls and excellent music. The combination of sensory input is so immersive that I often forgot about my health, the score, and my position on the track. After a while, you just start feeling it, and it’s great.
Rive is a retro styled platforming shooter that features fast-paced action and polished mechanics. While it shines in many aspects mechanically, some of the level design is imperfect and the inherent challenge often hinges on surprise obstacles. The experience is unquestionably solid, but many people may be turned off by the difficulty and the need to memorize the level through successive failures to progress past certain points.