Umihara Kawase
Amazing game. Umihara Kawase is a platformer where most of the gameplay revolves around using an elastic fishing line to get around the level and attack enemies. Think the grappling hook from worms - except the elasticity adds a huge amount of complexity. Combined with the rock-solid physics, this leads to a very fun game that ramps up the difficulty to insane levels, requiring serious speedrunner rubberband tactics to just pass later levels.
The fishing line has a seemingly infinite learning curve, 40 hours in and I’m still learning new techniques. Initially you’ll be using it to swing across pits and climb upwards, but soon you’ll find yourself using the tension to slingshot yourself across levels, or ‘rocket jump’ over hazards. The layout of the levels make this as much puzzle as platforming: particular levels can take forever to figure out, though if you are having difficulty you can consult the library of replays that the community shares through the steam workshop integration.
– Real player with 50.0 hrs in game
Read More: Best Cult Classic Pixel Graphics Games.
My favorite of the Umihara Kawase games, through the least forgiving. UK is a purely arcade experience, with no story or any other unnecessary trappings. The game is presented in stages, where you start at point a and try to get to point b, mainly by experimenting with the physics of your fishing hook.
The big draw is that a lot of the stages have multiple exits and/or can be beaten in a different manner depending on the level of your skill with the fishing hook. The hook has some cool physics, especially considering how the old game is. The original UK has the best gameplay “feel” to me; it feels faster and the hook physics just seem more springy in a good way than the sequels. Learning how to use the hook to throw Umi all over the place in very rewarding.
– Real player with 32.0 hrs in game
FOTONICA
FOTONICA is an adrenaline rush, at the very least. A high speed running game with one button as the sum total of a player’s control. Don’t think of that as a limitation. Quite the opposite. Since this is first and foremost a sensory experience type of game, deriving much from little, it would be unfortunate if even the smallest part of a player’s attention were taken from the screen.
The player, as “runner”, travels very minimalistic landscapes. Some are vaguely identifiable, such as rooms in a sort of building. (The more identifiable the terrain, the faster landscapes seem to go by as the eye/brain connection struggles for context.) The runner also jumps, but I hesitate to call this a platformer. It does have platformer characteristics, such as the pink dots one attempts to acquire by contact. And the varying size and levels of platforms. Some game levels, in fact, are almost entirely platforms. These are generally the more difficult; as players struggle to attain the secondary goal, SPEED.
– Real player with 24.1 hrs in game
Read More: Best Cult Classic Minimalist Games.
FOTONICA is a first-person platforming/running game developed by Santa Ragione. Become one with the speed of sound while you try to survive each level on every difficulty and try to beat your previous highscore.
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| | Minimalistic graphics for a minimalistic game, uniquely designed levels |
– Real player with 23.7 hrs in game