SuperPhillip Central Best of 2021 Awards - Top Five Platformers

Are you ready to jump, jump around? I hope so because it's time for the Top Five Platformers of 2021 as part of night four of SuperPhillip Central's Best of 2021 Awards! You can tell the platformer means a great deal to me as a genre, being my absolute favorite. Why? Because it's the only genre of game that gets a dedicated awards category every year. These five platformers, whether 2D or 3D delighted me with their exceptional control, tremendous gameplay, and creative and imaginative worlds.

5) Blue Fire (Multi)

Taking cues from Hollow Knight and Dark Souls (then again, what game of this nature DOESN'T take cues from the latter nowadays?), our first game to kick off this countdown of the Top Five Platformers of 2021 released early this year on all platforms: Blue Fire. This indie 3D platformer featured intense sword-based combat, challenging platforming, and an interconnected world to explore to make for one stellar action-platformer. Those who opt to aim for 100% will definitely discover some insanely difficult platforming challenges to contend with, as the game's obstacle-laden and death trap-infested rifts demand platforming perfection to complete them. If you can overcome the somewhat high level of challenge from Blue Fire, you'll find one excellent and exceptional 3D platformer.

4) Kaze and the Wild Masks (Multi)

While Blue Fire took cues from Hollow Knight and Dark Souls, our next game takes inspiration from Rare's Donkey Kong Country trilogy from the Super Nintendo era. Seen previously in the SPC Best of 2021 Awards in the Most Overlooked Games of 2021 category, Kaze and the Wild Masks feels similarly to playing Donkey Kong Country 2 or 3 entirely with Dixie Kong. Kaze can twirl her ears to slowly descend on platforms, as well as having the ability to pick up objects with said flappy appendages. The levels in Kaze and the Wild Masks routinely deliver sensationally clever mechanics and platforming gimmicks to keep the 5 hour adventure feeling fresh from beginning to end, and the boss battles offer a high degree of challenge, albeit quite fair challenge. The titular Wild Masks are like DKC's animals, transforming Kaze into various forms to tackle levels with new move sets and mobility. It all ends up being one satisfying platforming adventure.

3) Psychonauts 2 (XBS, XB1, PS4, PC)

Double Fine's 3D platforming tour de force, Psychonauts 2, is a highly creative and ingenious game. Diving into the minds of its kooky cast of characters, which serves as the main levels of the game, offered a wide variety of atypical platforming settings. From rolling a bowling ball across a pit of mucus and slime in a city setting to bringing back a band in a way trippy world, the levels in Psychonauts 2 definitely delighted from beginning to end. Each new level brought upped the creativity factor immensely. The hub worlds were a joy to explore as well, soaked and sprinkled with secrets to find and side quests to complete. While Psychonauts 2's combat left something to be desired, the rest of the platforming package was certainly something special.

2) Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury (NSW)

We have a twofer as the number two Platformer of 2021. It's Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury. What was old was new again with all five playable characters in Super Mario 3D World being faster than ever before, really giving returning players of the Wii U original game new ways to tackle old levels. And these levels in Super Mario 3D World were just as fun to play again as they were in the Wii U game. The adventure and obstacle course levels were still as sublime as ever. Online co-op meant the fun could be enjoyed with friends and family outside of one's bubble: especially important in these pandemic times. Meanwhile, Bowser's Fury gave us a glimpse at what a possible open-world Mario might look like. Its sandbox style approach to its design offered a playground for Mario to run, swim, and climb around in, making it a highlight of 2021 for sure. As a whole package, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury brought platforming power to the Switch in a big way and was well worth the price of admission.

1) Metroid Dread (NSW)

Samus returned for her next mission in the Metroid saga, and it concluded things on a masterful note. Samus has never had more magnificent mobility, awesome powers, incredible agility, and massive firepower than she had in Metroid Dread. The game itself was full of intriguing and interesting interconnected environments, from harsh lava lands to vibrant jungles. The bosses upped their game considerably, demanding near-perfect precision and fast reflexes to overcome their offenses on Samus. Metroid Dread was indeed a difficult game, but there was no better reward than actually persevering and overcoming all that stood in Samus' way in one of her most thrilling adventures yet. We had to wait nearly 20 years for Samus to receive a brand-new 2D entry, and with how awesome Metroid Dread was, here's hoping we won't have to wait that long for a follow-up. 

SuperPhillip Central Best of 2021 Awards - Top Five Most Overlooked Games

This is always a fun awards category and list to do at the end of the year at each SPC Best of Awards, and it's of course back this year with a new batch of five games! These are those games that didn't get the credit they deserve, that fell through the proverbial cracks, and quickly slipped out of the limelight, if they were ever in it to begin with. Make no mistake: There are so many worthy games to be on this list, so no worries if your favorites aren't featured. Now, onto the list of winners!

5) Dodgeball Academia (Multi)

We aren't any stranger to dodgeball on the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2021 Awards, at least not so far, but how about an RPG based on the gym class sport of choice? Dodgeball Academia is just the game for you, offering intense real-time dodgeball matches, special abilities, BALL-timate attacks, equipment to wear, items to use, and a fantastically funny and well-written story full of humorous dialogue and eccentric, quirky characters. The art style is drop-dead gorgeous too, bringing with it balls-to-the-wall beauty. If you're looking for an 8-10 indie adventure more than worthy of your time, hit the court with Dodgeball Academia. 

4) Game Builder Garage (NSW)

A budget release for the Nintendo Switch, Game Builder Garage is a piece of software that delivers the opportunity to make your own games. This is nowhere near as complex or decidedly convoluted as say, Dreams, but it does offer a lot of ability to push your creativity. The amount of tutorials, each centered on a different genre of game, comes packed with lessons that slowly and steadily teach prospective game builders how to use the lessons learned to design their own would-be masterpieces. Plus, challenges that put what you've learned to the test are sprinkled between games to make sure you can practice what's been preached and successfully do so. It's essentially coding for beginners with the cute and whimsical No-dons that connect to one another to perform functions in each project. All in all, Game Builder Garage didn't light the Switch world on fire, but it did give a lot of wannabe beginning game makers an entry point into the wonderful world of game design.

3) Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World (NSW, PS4, PC)

There has been no shortage of classic games getting remarkably well done remakes and touch-ups these past few years. The Wonder Boy series alone has seen three thus far, with Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World being one of those. While faithful to the original game perhaps to a fault with some obtuse design, super challenging gameplay at times, short length, and miss-able collectables along the way, there's no question that a lot of love was poured into this remake of Monster World IV. The game looks absolutely adorable with brilliant and vivid colors, detailed polygonal graphics, and it's all accentuated by some superb sound design. Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World definitely delighted this player of the game, and it's my wish more folks give the game a shot.

2) Kaze and the Wild Masks (Multi)

For those looking for an outstanding indie game that shows true appreciation to and takes inspiration from Rare's classic Donkey Kong Country trilogy, look no further than Kaze and the Wild Masks. This charming 2D platformer is far from just a clone, it's a highly competent adventure with exceptional level design housing myriad well-hidden secrets, tricky platform placement, and some fun obstacles and gameplay gimmicks inside them. The Wild Masks that Kaze wears at specific parts of the game are essentially DKC's animal transformations, offering unique gameplay hooks to each. Throw in a visually stunning art style and a well done soundtrack, and you have a real winner. Don't sleep on Kaze and the Wild Masks, people!

1) NEO: The World Ends With You (NSW, PS4, PC)

On one hand, it's quite fortunate of an event and we're lucky that a true sequel to The World Ends With You even exists. On the other, it's an absolute tragedy how many gamers and potential players passed on the game. I don't blame the gaming populace for this aforementioned tragedy either, as Square Enix did next to nothing to promote or even push the game, not even featuring it in its E3 2021 conference. All that notwithstanding, NEO: The World Ends With You stands as an excellent modern JRPG with terrific action, a masterful visual style and soundtrack, and a riveting story and cast of characters. It all gels well to make for one of the more engaging titles of 2021, and yes, sadly, also one of the most overlooked games of the year, as well.

Review Round-Up - June 2021

June 2021 saw a lot of great things for SuperPhillip Central--13 years online and our 1,000th review: Resident Evil Village!

What a month here at SuperPhillip Central for the month of June! It was a massive month on the site, as we celebrated our 13th anniversary, as well as the arrival of SPC's 1,000th review! While we're on the subject of reviews, let's take a look at all seven of the reviews published on the site for the month of June with the good, ol' Review Round-Up!

The month started out mellow enough with a wonderful photo expedition starring hundreds of cute, adorable, and amazing Pokémon in New Pokémon Snap, which earned a B+. Also earning a B+ but a decidedly less mellow experience was that of the Donkey Kong Country-inspired Kaze and the Wild Masks. From safaris and platforming escapades, we then took the ocean waves with King of Seas, which rocked the proverbial boat a little too much, getting a C- for its excessive grind and repetitive content. Another indie title quickly followed, Piczle Cells, and this short but sweet puzzler impressed, getting a C+.

What came after was what the review SPC has been teasing and hyping for months now, and it finally arrived--the 1,000th review! Resident Evil Village took the honor, and it wowed (and scared with its quality) with a stellar A grade. From there, we wrapped up the month with two platformers, one retro remake with Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World (which got a B-) and the Super Meat Boy-esque Super Magbot, which was quite the attractive game, getting a B.

Finally, for your convenience, check out all seven of the reviews, with links and excerpts, below. And don't forget to check out the SPC Review Archive for every review--all 1,000+ of them--ever published and posted to SuperPhillip Central!

New Pokémon Snap (NSW) - B+

With 10-15 hours of playtime to complete the initial campaign, and dozens of hours more to snap every Pokémon, fully explore every area, and earn every title (achievement-like challenges), New Pokémon Snap is very much worth its price tag. It won't enthuse every player out there, but if you're the type who loves Pokémon, the idea of seeing them in natural surroundings, and taking pictures of some Pocket Monsters, then I certainly recommend that you snap up New Pokémon Snap.

Kaze and the Wild Masks (NSW, PS4, XB1, PC) - B+

Looking for an entertaining but relatively short 2D platformer that invokes wonderful DKC-style gameplay while adding a few interesting twists of its own? Then, Kaze and the Wild Masks is indeed worthy of your time. It's challenging, it's gorgeous to look at, and it's packed to the brim with exceedingly well done designs in both levels and boss battles. I waited quite a while for the retail release of the game to arrive, but fortunately and blessedly so, my wait was most definitely worth it.

King of Seas (NSW, PS4, XB1, PC) - C-

Between the groan-worthy grind that is the campaign and utterly uninspired side quests, and tons of time wasted within its slow sailing, lack of fast travel, and punishing deaths, King of Seas is a lot of floundered potential. The base of the game is inspired with regard to controlling your ship and presents some excellent ideas, but the game's economy, glacial sailing speed, and campaign woes all lead to a game that capsizes not too long after the adventure starts to unfold.

Piczle Cells (NSW) - C+

As a puzzle game, Piczle Cells will put your brain through the wringer, giving you 100 brain busters of cell sliding, combining, and solving to enjoy. The core concept and gameplay mechanic is structurally sound, but once these 100 puzzles have been completed, there's not much else to keep you returning to the game. While puzzles have multiple solutions, there's really no incentive to find new ways to solve them, unless you really, REALLY are loving the game. The appearance of that aforementioned touch screen control-related bug made that control option less than functional, so go into the game thinking you'll be using analog exclusively (unless you have more patience for bugs than I) and you'll be fine. At any rate and even with these issues, Piczle Cells is hardly a puzzle game that I would call a tough cell--er, sell! In fact, I recommend it.

Resident Evil Village (PS5, PS4, XBS, XB1, PC) - A

[Village is] an almost perfect combination of action and survival horror elements, taking the best from past Resident Evil games, most notably Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 7. Between the astounding assortment of villains in Village--some of the series' absolute best and most memorable--the wide range of awesome moments that stun and delight to the point that you'll want to replay them many times over, and a combo of gameplay and level design that stand head and shoulders above other modern games, Resident Evil Village reigns as one of the best installments of the series to date. One heck of an accomplishment, for sure, and one treasure of a game--one that the Duke would most certainly buy for a high price.

Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World (NSW, PS4, PC) - B-

Compared to previous remakes of Wonder Boy/Monster World series games, Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World feels a bit too simplistic for its $40 price tag. Yes, the visual style is lovely to look at, and the increased personality in Asha's animations--whether she's sliding like a figure skater on ice, or shaking her can as she prepares to open a treasure chest--is also pleasant to see. However, by a gameplay and game length standpoint, Asha in Monster World isn't the strongest experience. Again, the gameplay is rather simple, and the length is quite short. These aspects notwithstanding, there is a lot to like about this remake of Monster World IV (especially if you get the physical version as--at least the Switch port received the original game on the cartridge), and now a new generation of players can join Asha on her fun-filled adventure.

Super Magbot (NSW, PC) - B

Despite being a game that did once again reveal that I'm not the mellowest platformer player out there, after personally witnessing moments of gnashing my teeth together, cursing to the heavens, and having my blood pressure noticeably rise at times, Super Magbot was an overall fun and enjoyable platformer. If you crave an almost Super Meat Boy-like challenge from your platformers, then you'll most definitely discover something great to enjoy from Super Magbot. For everyone else, you may find yourself "repelled" from the level of challenge on display in this game.

Meanwhile, a vastly different game tonally, SPC started this momentous month for the site
with a review of the cozy and quaint New Pokémon Snap!

Kaze and the Wild Masks (NSW, PS4, XB1, PC) Review

Kaze and the Wild Masks was released several months ago in a digital-only release. However, it just recently received a launch of a physical version, available at most retailers. This review covers not only this new retail version but also this wonderfully delightful Donkey Kong Country-inspired 2D platformer in adequate depth. Here is the SPC review of Kaze and the Wild Masks.

A magnificent masquerade and platforming party

Taking a quick glimpse of Pixelhive's Kaze and the Wild Masks might give you the impression that it's heavily influenced and inspired by Nintendo's own Donkey Kong Country series of games. Despite the old adage of not judging a book by its cover, your impression would be quite apt. However, just because Kaze and the Wild Masks owes a lot to Rare and now Retro Studios' platforming works, it doesn't mean the game is at all uninspired. What you get with Pixelhive's platformer is a beautiful, well executed game with smooth controls and delightfully designed levels.

While on an adventure of her own, Kaze and her sister stumble upon a sinister sorcerer named Typhoon. Typhoon uses his evil magical powers to transform Kaze's sibling into a spirit, and then vanishes without a trace. Kaze's adventure deals with her needing to re-encounter Typhoon, defeat him, and somehow break the curse that has stricken her sister. 

Bad news for Kaze and her sister, but good news for us, as players, as we get to enjoy some simply divine platforming. Kaze controls very much like Dixie Kong in Donkey Kong Country 2 and 3, complete with a spin maneuver, the ability to twirl her ears to glide as she descends to cross otherwise un-crossable chasms, a ground pound of sorts, and of course plenty of jumps and bops on enemy heads to go around. Most importantly with all of these abilities available to her is that Kaze feels great to control. Her movements are smooth and consistent, and controlling her just feels terrific to do.

Kaze's journey starts off leisurely enough, but quite quickly she'll face a number of perilous platforming challenges.

Kaze and the Wild Masks will feel right at home for anyone who has played any of the Donkey Kong Country games. Levels generally have a central gameplay mechanic to them that is iterated on from the start of a level to its conclusion, usually becoming more challenging as the level progresses. One level, "Lights On, Lights Off" incorporates an original DKC "Stop and Go Station"-style switch system that turns on lights to put crab-like monsters to sleep when the light is on, but of course the lights don't stay on for long. Thus, Kaze needs to hightail past the sleeping crab monsters while the lights are on in order to not take damage before the lights turn off and the enemies awaken. Other levels feature obstacles like a perpetually pursuing tide of toxic water that rises throughout the level that requires Kaze to make haste or fall in the instant-death liquid, or ziplines and gusts of wind that Kaze's ears can be put to work in to make her ride down them and ride up them, respectively.

There's no time to be hanging out with these spiked enemies looming above you, Kaze!

Each main level in Kaze and the Wild Masks includes a wide assortment of collectibles to uncover. There are four letters spelling out "KAZE" to find, two bonus stage portals, and various pink gems to collect. The bonus stages feature challenges like collecting every crystal and reaching the goal, all the while avoiding damage and beating the clock before it counts down and hits zero. One lovely quality of life improvement compared to the Donkey Kong Country series here is that if you fail a bonus stage, it's as simple as quickly retrying to immediately start back inside the stage, rather than being booted out with no recourse to return to it unless you restart the level or perish. 

Slipping and sliding around to nab that golden "K", one of four letters to collect in each level.

Meanwhile, collecting all of the bonus medals in a given world of Kaze and the Wild Masks unlocks an extra level. These are generally more gimmick-themed than what you'll find in the main game, whether incorporating invisible platforms, requiring precise timing to bounce off the heads of enemies over a massive bottomless pit that stretches across the entire level, or including a ride on a lift that rises as Kaze must dodge and endure a bullet hell-like obstacle course. 

The Donkey Kong Country influences don't end with the general base gameplay and collectibles either, as Kaze and the Wild Masks uses similar animal transformations as seen in the DKC series. The only difference instead of entering a barrel to transform into one of many forms, Kaze dons one of the many eponymous masks of the game. Each of the masks presents a new gameplay style to get accustomed to, and this breaking in period is quite easy due to helpful tutorials that organically occur in the levels. From the hawk mask that sprouts a pair of wings on Kaze for her to flap around levels, to the tiger mask that promotes Mega Man X-style air dashes and wall climbing, to the dragon mask that turns levels into a DKC-style mine cart ordeal (though with the ability to double jump and dive, which opens up the fun factor considerably), the masks in Kaze and the Wild Masks are all fun to use for the most part. 

Take flight, Kaze! The hawk is but one of the four masks featured in the game. 

Each of the four worlds in Kaze and the Wild Masks concludes with a boss battle, and much like the levels and secrets designed in the game, these boss fights feature incredibly clever ideas as well. The execution of these encounters is well done, and they never really outwear their welcomes, save for the final boss. That said, the final boss is a more an endurance run, and a culmination of every mask and ability Kaze encountered throughout her adventure.

This particular boss is the root of all problems in the first world.

Speaking of the adventure, Kaze and the Wild Masks isn't too lengthy of a game, unfortunately. I would say clearing it for one's first time might take anywhere between 4-7 hours depending on the player's skill level. Now, this game really ramps up the difficulty, and if you want to 100% complete the game, your time may take longer, especially if you wish to attempt to clear every level and boss battle without taking damage. Additional individual speed runs and online level leaderboards add to the longevity of Kaze's platforming journey, making for a game that very much doesn't linger but could have stood to last a teensy bit longer.

Kaze and the Wild Masks is a lovely looking game. The sprites are immensely detailed, as are the environments, which are visually striking and varied. On the Nintendo Switch version, the frame-rate was never an issue, at least not noticeably so for this particular player, so it really depends on your platform preference for what system to get the game on. Musically, the tunes are inspired--I enjoyed the main theme the most, but every other track is well done. It doesn't quite hold a candle (or perhaps in this case, a carrot) to David Wise and company's musical creations in the Donkey Kong Country series, but then again, very little does so that's not a really fair comparison to make. 

The final world definitely heats things up difficulty-wise--even more than the game already has!

Looking for an entertaining but relatively short 2D platformer that invokes wonderful DKC-style gameplay while adding a few interesting twists of its own? Then, Kaze and the Wild Masks is indeed worthy of your time. It's challenging, it's gorgeous to look at, and it's packed to the brim with exceedingly well done designs in both levels and boss battles. I waited quite a while for the retail release of the game to arrive, but fortunately and blessedly so, my wait was most definitely worth it.

[SPC Says: B+]