Galacticon | Nintendo Switch Review

Flynn Arcade's "Galacticon" is the echoing answer to the ZX Spectrum's Jetpac. More or less. It is a spiritual successor to that early 80's platform shooter, and while there's obvious similarities everything that Jetpac achieved in the retro gaming realm back in the day was improved upon tenfold in Galacticon. With Galacticon you'll find a very retro looking experience that pays homage to the source material, but in an incredibly updated way. In a way that is centered around collecting species trapped by humans, and dropping them off in multiple teleportation pads. A contrasting effort to Jetpac's fueling up, and constructing of a rocket to get to the next level. 

In a similar fashion Galacticon also grants the player only three lives initially with which to make it as far as possible while completing objectives, shooting enemy craft, and using a species combo system to score bonus points. This is all done via an alien God/Machine hero who gets around on a jetpack that gains power from power-ups. 

When you startup Galacticon you will be bombarded immediately by an image inclusive intro with a string of text describing why it is you are doing what you do. The problem is reading it is hard due to how quickly each story panel transitions into the next. That being said I was able to figure out there's something about species being imprisoned by humans. That and mention of the jetpack traveling half God half machine hero that you will be controlling.

Much like it's predecessor Galacticon has you flying around trying to avoid enemies while collecting what you need to complete the level within the given time frame. At your disposal is a jetpack that allows you to ascend, and descend. That, and a gun that fires lasers. With the gun you can shoot enemies which will grant you certain point values according to type. There are also cargo ships you can shoot to collect the color coded species needed to fill the transporters at the ground level of the stage. Each transporter requires four species to fill up. This is done by coming in contact with them, and landing them on the transporter's button. 

The catch to it all is in how you mix, and match species. Some species are complimentary while others are enemies in the company of others. Matching four of the same, or a combination of like-minded species will net you a bigger bonus in regards to points earned. The opposite happens when species of conflicting types are paired up, and in that case lesser or no points are rewarded. You can, unlike Jetpac, carry up to four species at one given time. Though getting hit will deduct one species until you have none at which point you'll lose a life upon the next hit taken. 

After you successfully fill all transporters you will need to fly upward to the next level. In this level to level transition you will need to collect energy power-ups while you dodge, and shoot your way through an asteroid field, or through more flying mechanoid human creations. Ultimately beaming back up into your mothership with an end tally of efforts rendered, accordingly. That transition part is a difficult undertaking in and of itself. 

Supposing you make it with at least one life intact you'll make it to the next level though where the process of level completion begins again, albeit a new environment with new enemy types. All in all Galacticon is an arcade style game that's all about achieving a high score with the limited lives afforded to you. How far you make it depends wholly upon your approach to gameplay, and I do know the developer was hosting a QR code contest with a reward for a person with the highest score that ties into the games QR code leaderboard updating feature. Basically be scanning the QR code you'll upload it to the game's global leaderboard for a proper ranking.

The Verdict ...

Staying true to formula Galacticon is as retro as it gets. It's as difficult as arcade games of the early retro era, and will test your mettle as a gamer. The game itself is to the point, and gets you in quick with no hand holding. Thankfully there are start menu preview screens detailing the game's plot, and it's scoring system. Otherwise you'd have been at a loss trying to figure it all out. For the price asked, and the experience offered Galacticon more than earns the respect of this veteran gamer. I highly recommend it to retro gaming fans, and gamers looking to experience a type of game that existed before they were born.