Old School Gamer’s Patrick Hickey Jr. takes a look back on a forgotten 3DS game
He captured our hearts in “Pushmo” and even though he changed his routine a bit in “Crashmo,” he eventually returned to his roots in “Pushmo World on the Wii U.” Mallo and his pals return again with “Stretchmo,” another new take on the series that adds even more playability, difficulty and of course, fun.
200 levels, across four different add-ons create another more than solid puzzle experience that is a perfect addition to the franchise, thanks to a few small gameplay additions that ultimately make a huge difference overall.
While it may not seem all that different at first, playing through the first “free” levels of the game, (The first handful of levels are free. After that, you can download the rest of the game and 200 levels, across four DLC for a season pass price of $9.99.) it’s actually quite a different game. It’s fair to say that it’s the deepest of all of the “Pushmo” games- and the most difficult.
The evolution in the series is interesting to look back on, taking note to see how the series has grown with every addition.“Pushmo” was all about pushing blocks and climbing up obstacles, but won us over with charming characters and surprising difficulty. “Crashmo” continued the trend, but built upon the original control scheme and added the use of gravity in your favor. “Pushmo World” was more like the original, just on the Wii U, allowing the series to display some more graphical prowess, but not really “stretching” (like that use of irony there?) the heart of the gameplay experience. “Stretchmo” however, allows you to make your obstacles bigger by pulling them in every direction (rather than just the front view from previous games), while still incorporating all the push and pull techniques that made the first game such a cult hit. add in the ability to change camera views and it’s a much deeper puzzle experience than the previous incarnations of the series.
Truth be told, the other games int he series felt much more like deep NES titles. One camera view and one objective, essentially like a game the likes of “Donkey Kong” or the original “Mario Bros.” It was deliciously old-school. “Stretchmo,” with a few different gameplay techniques and the addition of enemies, adds a more frenetic pace to the series and thanks to the ability to change camera views, takes the puzzle genre and the series to a different place.
Away from the added gameplay elements, the level design sets itself apart from the previous games in the series.. From animals and the traditional obstacles you’ve come to know in the series, there’s a whole section of classic Nintendo-character based levels. With enemies as well and the need to jump far more often than in the past, “Stretchmo” takes the fun to a deeper level than before. Although you’ll never forget you’re playing a puzzle game, for the first time in the history of the series, you’ll feel like you’re playing a nifty platformer at times too.
In terms of puzzle games on the 3DS, “Stretchmo” is an easy candidate for the best digital-only game on the 3DS and a game that, is hard to put down, especially if you’re an old-school gamer that lives and dines on challenge.
The Good:
Adds to Already Awesome Gameplay Formula: If you’ve played “Pushmo,” “Stretchmo” will be an easy adjustment and one that will almost feel seamless. With a few new camera views and gameplay options, it feels like a better version of the game. In the end, that’s exactly what it is.
A Good Introduction to Series: If you’ve never played “Pushmo,” “Stretchmo” will be perfect invitation to the world. A top-notch puzzler, “Stretchmo” has it all, endearing characters, plenty of content and great pick up and play gameplay
Plenty of Levels: If you decide to purchase the full game, which should run you about 10 bucks, you’ll get 200 levels of puzzles. Simply put, there’s almost too much content here as many gamers, in spite of their love for the series, will never play through the entire game.
Good Soundtrack: The music feels like something out of an old Nintendo game and what’s not to love about that. While the music isn’t a must as many will find themselves playing this on the bus to the train with the headphone to their iPhone on, the music here builds on the already addictive atmosphere.
Tough: “Stretchmo” is cute, the levels are well-designed and it’s fun, but you’ll get to a point eventually where you get stuck. While this won’t happen in the first few preview levels or even in the first few levels if you decide to purchase the game, make no mistake, you will eventually get stuck.
The Bad:
Some Levels Are Bone-Jarringly Hard: While many of the levels can be beat with a breath and a focused mind, there are levels that will frustrate you beyond belief. This will cause many gamers to either give up or move to another set of levels. When you meet your maker on all four DLC however, there’s little reason to continue, unless you wait for someone on YouTube to post a video tutorial.
Doesn’t Use New 3DS Features: While the way you change camera views works just fine, using the C-stick would have been a bit more intuitive.
No Amiibo: This would be the perfect game to use other characters with and would give it more of a higher profile, instead of it continuing to be the cool series no one knows about.
Final Thoughts:
“Stretchmo” is easily one of the best under-appreciated titles on the Nintendo 3DS and arguably in the Nintendo family. Thanks to four distinctive sets of levels and a colorful set of characters, Mallo and his pals create a new take on the series that adds even more playability, difficulty and of course, fun.
The post Retro Review: ‘Stretchmo’ Review: Adorable and difficult appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.
