If I needed to suggest a single indie launch this 12 months, it’d most likely be Mossmouth’s UFO 50, primarily as a result of it is a retro sport anthology that really feels prefer it may’ve been made again within the NES period (for probably the most half) whereas providing a recent bundle.
Amidst the standard onslaught of big releases in the direction of the tip of the 12 months, it is laborious to make time for smaller titles when you’re on this line of labor. Hell, I spend like half of my work hours consuming and writing about different stuff, but video video games are the medium that requires extra time and a focus. It is easy to get burned out, which is why smaller and breezier video games are virtually as essential as the massive ones to remain wholesome.
For the previous couple of weeks, UFO 50 (solely out there on Steam for now) has been my ‘sport to play whereas having one thing on within the background’ and I could not be extra impressed with what Derek Yu and the gifted builders behind Downwell, Air Land & Sea, Skorpulac, Catacomb Children, and Madhouse have put collectively over 9 flippin’ years (try this report on the gathering that VG247 revealed… again in 2017).
In fact, virtually everybody has had extra tasks within the works in the meantime. Chief amongst them was Spelunky 2, which Yu lastly unleashed in 2020. In the meantime, UFO 50 continued to evolve in silence, and this final September it dropped with out making a lot noise till the press bought on prime of it. After spending a while (lower than I would like) with it myself, I am comfortable to report of us had been not exaggerating. This factor whips and ought to be within the GOTY conversations developing.
Positive, loads of solo builders and indie studios have completely nailed the NES-era aesthetic and overarching design philosophies through the years (I simply will not cease right here to call numerous examples), but a recurring feeling I’ve is that almost all of these both really feel a tad too fashionable regardless of every part else or simply previous within the worst attainable approach (rusty and never very enjoyable to play). UFO 50, in the meantime, whereas not an entire dwelling run (I imply, it actually packs 50 fully-featured, old-ass titles), utterly seems like a type of bootleg cartridges stuffed with no matter.
I am not gonna lie: I noped the f**ok out of a handful of the video games I’ve performed to this point, primarily as a result of I wasn’t within the temper to determine obtuse mechanics or excellent timings, however virtually no title on this fictional assortment has felt bland or uninspired. There is a clear intent and imaginative and prescient behind all of them, and even when many do not click on with me, I can see another person having fun with the crap outta them. In spite of everything, they cowl all kinds of genres and even attempt to replicate the ‘evolution’ of a fictional sport firm in the course of the Nineteen Eighties. In fact, this has led gamers to find a meta layer that solely makes the bundle even nuttier.
Controls are stored fairly easy normally too, which positively helps the accessibility issue that permeates the entire thing. I would take into account a lot of the video games included ‘laborious’ by right this moment’s requirements, however normally, all of it comes right down to the distinctive sport design and the builders going ‘look, you gotta grasp this s**t like again within the day, no excuses’ (which rocks). This additionally applies to titles that embody a multiplayer choice or are straight-up designed as native occasion video games; they’re meant to be simple to select up and simply play in fast periods.
This ain’t a evaluation, so I will not fake to have performed the total assortment nor I will get into specifics. This can be a tremendous juicy bundle of pleasure that I will be enjoying for a very long time, and I am taking my time with it. It shines brighter when performed between bigger gaming periods or throughout lunch breaks, and I strongly consider it would not profit from brain-rotting, sweaty marathons higher fitted to fashionable video video games. That is the message I am attempting to get throughout; I need you to find what it has to supply for your self.
This additionally means it is type of the right sport to play in your Steam Deck; I would be shocked if it would not attain the Swap sooner fairly than later. As a substitute of “yet another spherical,” you may be saying “yet another sport,” as you by no means know what you may come throughout subsequent. It is okay when you by no means beat them, because the expertise alone of booting them up and fumbling round is magical and enriching sufficient. In a approach, UFO 50 brings again that magic of historical video games you booted up over and over however hardly ever managed to beat. Achievements await true sickos although.
Okay, possibly I will let you could have a few of my private suggestions to this point earlier than I depart: Mortol, Velgress, Attactics, Bushido Ball, Camouflage, Campanella, Warptank (this one is genuinely implausible), and Porgy. Attempt to not look them up earlier than leaping in, belief me. This wild trip should not be spoiled by our fashionable mannequin of consumption. Your listing of favorites would possibly look very totally different, and that is all the level of this journey down a reminiscence lane that does not fairly exist.