Family Tree | Trajectory Based Puzzle Platforming With A Fruity Twist

Perhaps one of the most interesting platformers I've ever played comes in the form of, "Family Tree" from Infinite State Games. This pinball meets platforming experience featuring a fruity family torn apart by a sinister sugar skull named Pedro really takes the cake. With added music of an interesting variety including dub-step, and acid house it's a trippy experience to say the least. One that will have you playing through 128 increasingly challenging levels across four theme inclusive seasons while taking on side challenges, and an endless climbing mode for up to four players. As you command the role of Mister, and Misus Fruits whose children were abducted by the nefarious Pedro you will need to quickly ascend the towering tree innards before you via cannon catapults as you dodge wacky enemies, and odd obstructions keeping you from collecting that which will mean perfection for the playthrough rescues at hand. Both the fruity children themselves, and the 4 coins per level that hover ever so conveniently within the hollowed out tree structures included.

Those of you interested will find that the plot is simple in Family Tree, but that the mechanics, and purpose thereof are a little less so. Upon starting up the game for the first time you'll be immediately thrust into the fray with a brief controller explanation, and hands-on tutorial level. The controls include the top L & R shoulder buttons for moving Mister, and Missus Fruits left or right as well as the Left Thumbstick for a trajectory marker for guiding them when you are ready to launch the fruity protagonists using the "A" button. While this sounds simple enough it's the goals of each level that will prove more difficult to master.

Within each of the four seasons of the main mode of play lies 8 stages. There's Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter each with their own quirky, and colorfully animated design. Housing trees with an inner working of set platforms, moving platforms, bouncers, cannons, enemies, obstacles, and collectibles. Your goal is to ascend to the top, and collect all the coins, and fruity children before the score based Pedro gauge counts down to zero. When Pedro's gauge reaches the zero mark he will chase you, and try to collide with your controlled character. Once he does any bonus score you could have earned from collecting all the fruits, and coins will be lost even though you can still collect them all, and finish the level. Finishing the level with all coins, and fruits before Pedro gets to you will result in a Perfect Finish. Finishing in a record way or with all collectibles accounted for will result in a Great Finish. Finishing with less than perfect will result in just a Finish. After you complete the eighth level of each season you will have to take on a side scrolling race against Pedro to advance to the next season. This usually includes platforms, bouncy platforms, and obstacles that stand between the starting cannon, and the final end goal where your significant other awaits. Falling to your doom, or getting hit by the pursuing Pedro will mean a do over from the start.

During your main mode playthough you'll also discover that scoring points is a little less than straightforward. While you gain the remaining points of the Pedro gauge as well as the fruit gauge, and coin gauge bonuses you can also score points by defeating enemies along the way, and through expertly projected fruit collection which gifts bonus combo points for groups of fruits gathered in one shot. You'll find that by learning the quickest routes from the start to the end goal where your Apple hubby or Orange wife awaits as well as how to best use the trajectory, and movement mechanics will be the way you truly perfect your playthrough. As you continue onward through each level, and season you will find that getting hit by hazards or enemies will drop some of your trailing fruits or coins back to the beginning. You can go back to get them, but supposing the Pedro gauge still has some points on it it might not be a gamble worth taking. Regardless you can go back, if you so desire, and replay any level of any season right after you finish or through the main menu level select.

The Content ...

At the main menu, which is a living version of the home depicted in the intro animation, you'll find four initially available panels. These panels are the modes, and bonus features included with the game. You'll find "Play" which will act as a continue after you've started a playthrough as well as "Level Select" for picking which levels need to be completed. The "Level Select" menu is divided by season with a fill gauge that shows whether or not you completed said season as well as individual star ratings for each level in the menu's sub-menu listing. Also at the main menu is an "Options" menu, and a "Bonus" menu. The "Bonus" menu leads to the "Intro" animation, "Challenges", and an "Endless Climber" party mode. With the "Intro" you can watch the game's intro animation. With "Challenges" you'll be able to see the various listed challenges that you completed by fulfilling certain feat requirements within the main mode, and with the "Endless Climber" mode you'll find a separate game experience unto it's own that can be experienced locally with up to four paired players. The goal being to ascend as for as you can without falling back into the rising water underneath your character. Along the way you'll earn bonus points for collecting fruits, and breaking crates that parachutes down with bonus power-ups. It's a fun little party mode to enjoy on the side, and does have it's added replay value.

The Verdict ...

As simple as this game is the challenge, and the gameplay that it offers is addictive. The music, and the overall visual presentation is inviting as well. It's a cute little arcade style platformer with an interesting twist. Being it's an indie, and more easily affordable makes the packaged deal all the more appealing. I can't really think of a downside to it other than it does have an end in the main mode of play. It's the kind of game you wish would go on forever. With 128 levels, and 32 bonus stages it's not that bad though. As far as a recommendation goes I can get behind this game. It was a pleasantly fun experience that was truly inviting. I really liked the developers' choice of music. It's not something you would associate with such a genre, but it works well enough along the with the pulsing colors, and animated characters on display. Definitely give it a try when October the 10th rolls around!