Have you ever wanted a game that combined the 2D sections from Super Mario Galaxy with the difficulty of Super Meat Boy? Then Airscape: The Fall of Gravity is the game for you.
The basis of this 2D platformer is quite simple: You’re a space-faring octopus on a quest to save your friends from a mechanical alien race. You must traverse short challenging levels where one mistake kills you instantly, just like Super Meat Boy. The levels themselves are made up of small planetoids which each have their own gravity, just like Super Mario Galaxy.
The concept might not be new, but the execution is excellent. The controls are solid, and your character does exactly what you want them to do almost all of the time. The level design is impressive too, with plenty of variety and new mechanics. Some of you may find that the difficulty curve makes Airscape too frustrating, but those who relish a challenge will love it. The game does take concepts from other platformers but at least it makes good use of others’ innovations.
However, that doesn’t mean the game is entirely derivative. Indie developer Cross-Product have introduced some interesting ideas, and one of these is the progression system. Within each section of the game, levels can be played in any order. You unlock the next section of the game not by finishing a certain number of levels, but by picking up a certain number of collectibles. This means you can finish the game without completing many of the stages.
The ability to switch characters also helps keep things fresh. As you progress through the game you will gain access to more playable octopuses, each with their own special skill. One can float after every jump and another has the power to slow down time. Deciding which octopus is the best for each level adds a much needed level of depth to the game.
Unfortunately these ideas isn’t quite enough. Airscape: The Fall of Gravity is a fun experience, especially near the beginning, but the novelty begins to wear off towards the end and the game becomes something of a drag. Having said that, there is a decent amount of content here if you manage to keep yourself engaged. Airscape is good value for your money.
Cross-Product should not be too disheartened; there are some solid foundations here. If their next game builds on these foundations, it could be a very special title indeed.