I've had this game on my Steam wish
list for a really long time. Just the word “Metroidvania” in the
description made me want to sink my time into it. Well, recently a
Steam sale for the game arrived and I totally bought it. And excuse
me while I say this, but, HELL YEAH! I'M SO GLAD I BOUGHT IT!
Honestly, this is one of the games that seems good, looks good, and
when you finally get it, plays good. Not a disappointment at all.

Guacamelee is made by a Toronto based
independent video game developer called Drinkbox Studios. Now, this
is really shocking to me considering that Guacamelee is heavily based
on Mexican mythology. The whole game is inspired by it. This may
sound ignorant, but I've never heard of anyone from Canada tackle
something that has to do with Mexican mythos. Yeah, so, pretty much I
raised an eye brow. Before Guacamelee, Drinkbox Studios released two
games: Tales From Space: About A Blob and Tales From Space: Mutant
Blobs Attack both on PSN and Steam...which I have not heard of or
played. That's one of the cool things I like about independent game
companies. They come out with a hit game but then you learn that they
have done other projects prior. I am totally going to check out their
other games and I advise you all to do the same. Now, Drinkbox
Studios seems to have a good thing going with PlayStation Network
seeing as how all their games are for PSN. The game is available for
Xbox One but I don't believe it is on the 360. But, without further
ado, lets take a suplex slamming, piledrive-smashing look into
Guacamelee!

You like you some mutha fuckin'
graphics? Do you??? I think most of us do. Guacamelee looks
BEAUTIFUL. Honestly, it's almost like a high produced Disney film the
animations look so smooth and colorful. That's one of the eye
catching things about this game. It wide display of colors and
fantastic animation style sucks you in. I added this to my Steam list
by just looking at the screen shots BEFORE I even read what the game
was about. I usually don't do and I'm not really suckered in by shiny
visual effects, but that was not the case here. I mean, seriously,
stop reading this and go watch the trailers for this game if you
haven't already. I won't be sad. Accompanying the visual, eye pussy
sensations, Guacamelee also has a bitchin' soundtrack composed by Rom
Di Prisco and Peter Chapman. Di Prisco is known mostly for composing
the music for the Need For Speed games and also added some additional
music for Mass Effect 2. Truly a gifted composer. In fact, if you buy
the Guacamelee Gold Edition, you get the soundtrack with the game as
well! Pretty sweet deal.

Moving onto the story of Guacamelee,
you play as an average Joe, I should say average Juan, farmer named
Juan. In this world, Luchadors are praised as the ultimate heroes of
the land. Luchadors, or “Lucha Libres,” as you may know, are
professional wrestlers in Mexico. They wear colorful masks and
perform high risk and high flying moves(think Rey Mysterio for you
WWE fans). Juan goes to meet his childhood friend, daughter of El
Presidente, when suddenly she is kidnapped by the Evil Charro
Skeleton and Juan is killed. He is resurrected though by his new
found accomplice, Tostada. You are revitalized and become a Luchador!
Together, or just as one of them(the game is co-op), you will travel
across the world in search of El Presidente's daughter and attempt to
defeat Evil Charro.

As you are exposed to the world, you
see that everything is set up like a Metroidvania game. Now, what is
Metroidvania? “Metroidvania” is referring to, of course, the
Metroid and Castlevania games. Basically, a giant map that you
navigate through back and forth, finding new power ups along the way
to gain access to new areas you could not previously visit
before(seriously though, you should know this shit already). You will
encounter enemies you must battle and that's the game play comes in
and it is hella epic. Basically, think of the Marvel Vs. Capcom combo
system. You start with a ground combo which then turns into a pop up
which flows into a continuous air combo which is finalized with an
ending move. Only thing missing is a 30 hit super. That's pretty much
the Guacamelee combat system. Yeah, it's fuckin' sweet. By defeating
enemies, you collect money which you can use to purchase new moves
like the Suplex, Piledriver and Drop Kick. You can also purchase
health and power meter upgrades. I find the combat sensational. It's
really easy to pick up and the combo chains are ridiculously fun and
I found myself feeling a great sense of badassery when I completed a
long combo. Using one button to strike, one button to grapple and
equipment with specific button input special moves, you'll be
chucking around baddies and slamming fools left and right. It's a
straight up good time. Grinding for gold doesn't even get taxing
because the combat animations are so fun to watch. When you get that
achievement for a 300 Hit combo, you'll know the feeling of
awesomeness I felt.

The game is especially fun with the
hidden references and homages to other games. You will see images
referring to the Marios Bros, even Castle Crashers. One of my
favorite things is when you get a new power to use. You break a
statue that looks REALLY familiar, if you're a Metroid fan, to
acquire a new ability. Also, when getting new abilities through the
game, your “master” is a guy that turns into a goat and back to
human again. Now, I know nothing about any Mexican mythos, but I want
to read about this guy from whatever story or legend he was pulled
from.

Now, the game is not just a beat'em up,
there are puzzles as well. For example, you will unlock an ability to
change the world from The World of the Living to The World of the
Dead. You can change it at will. So, you may be walking down a long
corridor and a wall is blocking you. But when you switch worlds, the
wall is no longer there. Event the new combat abilities will be
required to get through certain parts of the game. Another example,
you get a vertical uppercut and horizontal dash punch. Say you need
to get to a ledge that you can't get to with your normal jump. You
will have to jump, use the vertical punch to get high enough then use
the horizontal punch to make the distance. This comes up A LOT in
this game, especially when you are trying to get the special hidden
items or if you're clearing all areas of secrets. And some of these
puzzles get TOUGH. But I won't get into the REALLY HARD ones. You'll
have to experience those yourself. Just try not to get too annoyed.

A personal joy of this game is the
exploration part. Each map has its own secrets and unlockables that
you can find the more abilities you find. There is even a completely
separate area of the game that is nothing but challenges you can take
on to earn Bronze, Silver and Gold medallions to unlock alternate
costumes and secret endings...WHICH ARE HARD AS SHIT. Just sayin.
You're skills WILL be tested. I've only gotten 7 Gold medallions and
you have the ability to get like, 17. It's pretty tough. But just
using your mind and discovering a hidden item is so satisfying. Just
like when you play Metroid(man, I wish more games like this exist,
seriously, or know what would be cool? If Metroid went back to 2D
full time. That would be sick. But I digress.)
Overall, Guacamelee is a game that all
gamers must experience. It covers so many genres that I would find it
really hard for someone to not like it. If you're a Beat'em up,
Metroidvania, exploration, combo monster combat or a casual video
game fan/player, you'll more than likely love this game. Not only is
it addicting, fun to look at, great to play, and bliss to listen to,
it's a remembrance of those awesome times when you played 2D side
scrolling games back in the SNES days. Who knows, maybe if this game
was made for the SNES back in the day, it would be favorite game of
all time...probably not(Chrono Trigger, son) but it would be up
there. Honestly, one of the few Steam games I got that I feel is one
of the best. I can't wait to see what Drinkbox Studios comes up with
next. I hope it's a sequel.
Great review - and I agree, this game needs to be played. The style may not appeal to everyone, but I was fortunate enough to get a chance to review it for release day when it first came out on Vita/PS3 and it is a tough, colorful and completely satisfying game imo.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment, bro. I liked your review of the game, btw!
DeleteIt sounds like a trippy game, but I like when games explore different cultures. Very exciting.
ReplyDeleteYou should give it a shot. You won't be disappointed.
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