Freedom Planet game Review
Freedom Planet test - The succession of the blue hedgehogWith the advent of 3D, which eventually became predominant in this medium, one would have thought that the game in 2D was going to disappear almost definitively. However, between the developers voluntarily making old school for the love of the old-fashioned, and the antics, it is to believe that we have never had so many titles with visible pixels to be released every month. Almost everyone contributes to the building, albeit a tiny one, including the Galaxy Trail. A modest independent development studio, whose goal, according to the words of its members, is to pay tribute to the 16Bits titles, especially those of the Megadrive. The first game in their concoction to reach us, Freedom Planet landed quietly in 2014 on PC, then a year later on Wii U. In August, this 2D platform game in the style of Sonic returns on Nintendo Switch.
Old-fashioned Sonic ...
Sonic: The Hedgehog on Master System and Megadrive, it was really damn good, we're not going to lie. For the time, it was a must, and little attention was paid to gameplay issues, including a lack of variety, or a character who has the annoying tendency to skate on all surfaces. Over time, the 2D episodes have grown new characters, but let's be honest two minutes: Sonic can do nothing but run, Tails has no other purpose than to hover a few moments, and Knuckels ... Forget the latter want you? Do not misinterpret my words, these titles are indeed true masterpieces of the old school video game, but it is true that they have aged, and are also suffering from a lack of backup characteristic of the 'time. Today, we learned from past mistakes, and we are doing better, fortunately.Failing to offer re-readings of Sonic in 2D, to which the little guys seem to devote a certain cult quite understandable, the studio Galaxy Trail has decided to pay tribute to them via a title by taking up many of the aspects. So, do not be surprised if the first images of Freedom Planet make you directly think of the blue hedgehog, it is completely assumed, and it is all the better, with the little disappointments caused by the last episodes signed Sega dated, if this is the friendly Sonic Mania Plus. Thus, we end up with very colorful and shimmering environments, all wrapped in a coat of apparent pixels as at the time, and emphasizing a certain vision of speed in horizontal scrolling. With of course the collection of parts, replaced here by crystals, inherent in the formula.
But who says tribute obviously does not include simple plagiarism, and Freedom Planet has everything you need, where you need, in order to differ enough from its models. For starters, its environments are less devious than those of Sonic's. And for once, this is a positive point, since we don't stop much, and we never really look for our way; although, on the other hand, it is true that the various secret passages of the cartridges of Master System and Megadrive are somewhat lacking in the sometimes monotonous decorations of the title. At the very least, it goes quickly, it feels like you never take a break, and the action remains, despite everything, perfectly legible. As for its soundtrack, it is halftone, with a handful of really cool songs, and other repetitive and uninspired. Remains a full dubbing in English of the dialogues, rather well felt.
… But better?
Yes, better, you read well. And first of all because Freedom Planet has the rich idea of proposing a real scenario. So hey, we're not facing a masterpiece of Hideo Kojima writing in Snake Eater, but all the same: this aspect of the title deserves to exist. The whole is covered with awkward moments of bravery and big bad guys a little too demonic, but follows with a little guilty pleasure. In addition, this nifty very Manichean and cutesy story stages the three main characters (or should I say main) of the title: Lilac, Carol and Milla. Three young girls of three different races, who do not fail to tick the potiche box in their spare time (the video game still has a lot of progress to make at this level) but nevertheless prove to be endearing. And who says three protagonists, says three playable characters (that's a lot of "three" don't you think?).Three characters for three different types of gameplay, nothing less, and we are quite far from what the Sonic offered in 2D with a tiny change by protagonist. No, here we are entitled to three ways of approaching the levels, enough to inflate the replay potential of the title, and therefore its lifespan, already rather substantial in its genre and for its relatively honest price (fifteen euros ).
Lilac is sort of the archetype of the Sonic. This demoiselle dragon (yes yes, dragon, it doesn’t look like eh?!) Purple in color runs fast, has a simple attack, a whirling jump which inflicts damage and allows to hover; finally its own power is a powerful but very short boost, allowing you to go / fly in a specific direction. Carol, on the other hand, is cut for the fight, with a fast melee chaining, and a special attack hitting the opponent. She can also climb on her motorbike when she collects gas cans, hidden here and there, which turns out to be really fun. As for Milla, she has a shield also allowing to shoot (in case of rapid pressing of the assigned button), and can create an energy cube which she will then launch to inflict damage (or combine with her shield to shoot big shots). Finally, his big ears allow him to fly for a few moments, like a Yoshi.
Freedom Planet is not perfect, however. Its gameplay is simple, offering an immediate and pleasant grip, like the old 2D platformers, without the few imperfections. Particularly the underwater phases, which are certainly vaguely inspired by what the Sonic of yesteryear offered, but prove to be much less stressful and frustrating. However, we regret some small details, such as a difficulty not always very well proportioned, depending on the levels, and a tendency to push too much to confrontation, by opposing to the player too many enemies. The bosses are nice in their appearance, and renew themselves enough so that we have nothing to blame the game at this level ... If not predictable and basic paterns, in most cases. A few exceptions, however, including a fight against a giant giant dragon.
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