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Thursday 6 March, 2008
[Gameplay]
For the second gaming session I played multiplayer both on and off-line. I first played co-op multiplayer with my friend who already knew how to play. We decided to tackle the impressively difficult co-op episodes that required even more time and effort to figure out and finally complete. The game called for each of us to perform different tasks in order to make it through the level door. I would have to speed to the door switch without wasting time, while he would kite enemy missiles to keep me safe. It was fun and the tasks varied level-to-level keeping things fresh.
I switched over to on-line multiplayer which offered two modes of play, race and survival. The race mode was challenging as some of the competition had worked out quick routes ahead of time to reach the exit door. The survival mode was essentially who could collect more gold coins to extend their life/time bar to stay alive longer than the competition. It proved to be less fun than race, but still a nice competitive multiplayer mode.
[Design]
There was innovation in terms of gameplay mechanics with the physics-based controls that awarded players an easier experience once mastered. The minimalist graphics and level design were pleasing to the eye and never distracted from the core of the game, the aforementioned unique controls. The level progression in single-player and multiplayer required an immense level of challenge that offered an equally pleasing reward of simply overcoming said challenges.
The levels themselves were diverse and quirky making the opening up of new episodes enticing. The simplicity of the game’s concept is what kept things both light and highly intense at times, like the best classic arcade games (Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, Space Invaders, ect.). The beauty of the co-op mode though is what makes this game tick. It involved plenty of challenge and truly rewarded proper cooperation to even discover a route to the exit door. The level editor was a nice addition to extend the replay value of this title as well.
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