Octogeddon (NS)

I do so like games with odd blends of retro experiences. They are rare occurrences in the industry, but when done well they can bring together genres in such a way as to revitalize them. Octogeddon just so happens to be one such experience. To me Octogeddon is a game that takes the rolly polly action of Katamari Damacy (Calamari Damacy ... sorry, couldn't help it) at it's base level, and blends it quite nicely with the city destroying antics of Rampage. The gameplay revolves around a disgruntled social media consuming cephalopod with interchangeable arms, and pits him against a world of cruel humans who engage in regular mockery of his species on a Youtube-like streaming platform known as "Stoopstoob". From the display of sea creature butchery to comedy at the expense of octopus kind this tentacled terror finds himself enraged enough to enact Armageddon. Octogeddon, if you will. Using advance DNA splicing he replaces his tentacles with various creature DNA, and even welcomes support of aquatic mates to aid in his wanton destruction of cities, and famous landmarks. Starting with New York City, and the Statue of Liberty he sets out on a mission spanning across oceans and land to put a stop to the stoopidity of Stoopstoob, and the human consumption thereof.

As the unnamed Octopus antagonist your goal is to use your tentacles to defend yourself against military threats, bank currency, and collect animal DNA which can be utilized as individual arm add-ons for further defense and destruction options. Initially you start off in the ocean depths just outside of New York in a stationary center position rotating your basic two tentacles to destroy approaching submarines, and other military attack vehicles. Enter the game's gameplay loop ...

Destroying the enemy craft in each stage banks you silver and gold coins which, after a shop menu intermission, can be spent on extra tentacles and tentacle types. The different tentacle types are earned through destroying specific objects in the underwater, and surface stages. These destructible objects usually have a DNA symbol, and will reward you with a DNA unlock when destroyed. When it comes to tentacle add-ons you'll find projectile types such as cobras, bees, and chickens as well as up close damage dealing appendages like crab and lobster claws. The further you progress the more tentacle types will become available, and each will have different abilities as well as a given cost to swap out or add to your octopus's base body. Knowing which tentacles to use in each stage is imperative for progress sake as the enemies you face will require different means to destroy. After destroying the in between lesser enemies, a boss, and an end landmark you'll also gain access to assist creatures like the puffer fish which will have separate benefits from your main arsenal of appendages. Think of them as shmup satellites.

Land, and sea ...

In the underwater stages you encounter your octopus will be positioned in the dead center of the screen as the action scrolls from left to right, and enemies dive in from all surrounding directions. Using the left analog stick to rotate the octopus you will position it's tentacles so that they either make contact with the approaching enemies hitting them, and destroying them upon impact, or shoot at them while they are at a distance dealing enough damage to send them to the ocean depths. On land combat is a different story. You will be able to roll your octopus left, and right as you progress to the end of the stage to the right. The catch is that tentacles beneath the octopus are made useless whereas tentacles above and to either side can deal the damage that needs to be dealt. In the cities, in particular, you'll find blockades in the form of buildings that must be destroyed using your assortment of tentacles to move onward. Some of said buildings will contain an alternative currency called shells or other DNA unlocks.

The shells in the game, or alternative currency, come into play after a game over. Game overs come after your hearts are all lost along with your stock of 2 or more lives. Shells collected can unlock special DNA add-ons in this endgame shop, as well as defense add-ons, extra store slots, extra lives, and cheats among other things. Also to note is the compendium that houses currently unlocked add-ons, enemies encountered, and the cinematic reels showcasing the cephalopod's many angry viewings of Stoopstoob.

The sum of all fears ...

In the end your goal as the aquatic harbinger of doom is to make your way from ocean to land, and through to the end landmark that must be destroyed to advance through the entirety of the six included stages. Between the ocean and the land above you will face many lesser enemy types that require strategic usage of arms to best dispatch them before they hit you, and deplete your heart supply, and ultimately your lives. At the end of each stage, before the landmark, lies a boss which will also require strategic use of your assigned arms. Defeating the boss will allow access to the landmark at which you'll have to make a final stand against incoming waves of lesser enemies while destroying the given landmark. That is the game in a nautilus shell.

The Verdict ...

This game in scale isn't that big, but the fun to be had is definitely worth the asking price. The game features a simple set of mechanics, challenging gameplay elements, and a proper blend of retro genres that come together in such a way as to be enjoyable. On top of all that it has one of the best indie soundtracks I've ever heard. From heavy metal to symphonic tunes your journey to the end will be blessed with music fitting of the destruction at hand. While the graphic presentation isn't what you attribute to Triple A standards it has a pleasantly quirky visual indie appeal that's more than fitting of the comical carnage to be had. Without bantering on too much more I will end the review in saying that Octogeddon gets the Gaming Inferno's fiery seal of approval! Pick it up if you fancy some fun!