There
have been a lot of 2D platformers hitting the various download services
recently. In order to stand out you need to do something different and do it
well. Ethan: Meteor Hunter aims to mix the precision and difficulty of the
Super Meatboys of the world with some old fashioned block/tile sliding puzzles
(the things that used to drive us mad as kids and when you could never get the
last piece in the right place).
You play
a mouse named Ethan who needs to navigate a number of platform/puzzle levels
while gathering chunks of meteor and eating cheese. While it might not sound that original it
certainly does things a bit differently. The platforming elements are handled
in pretty much the same way as a Cloudberry Kingdom or Super Meatboy, that
being that they require precision jumps and timing with constant traps and
dangers ready to kill you instantly.
Ethan is
more about precision than breakneck speed and your character handles
differently than you may expect. Handling has changed a little from the PS3
game and there is a better flow to your movement. This allows for the more
fluid run that the levels seem to be designed for. There are also numerous
checkpoints to avoid having to repeat large sections and the improved handling does
help to lower the frustration, however it is still a very difficult game.
The main
gimmick is the ability to use telekinetic powers to move blocks around to
create platforms and solve puzzles. This, for the most part, works really well
and adds variety to the game. Sometimes you’ll be simply moving blocks around
to get to the next area, while at others you’ll need to be in a constant flow
of jumping and pausing to move blocks to block flames or traps as you pass by.
It’s in sections like this that the game really comes to life and the creativity
of the development team really shines through.
Levels
themselves are designed to the highest standard and just about every
conceivable way of twisting the basic mechanics is brought to the table. This
means the game is always throwing something new at you or asking you to think
about how to use your skills and abilities to reach the next area.
Players
need to stay sharp as this is a tough game from the start. You will die and die
often and it’s certainly the type of game to cause controller smashing. Most of
the time this is due to the player but there are odd occasions where the
controls will let you down (it is much less prevalent than the PS3 version
though). There are also a few minor issues that add to frustration. The main
one of these involves small cut scenes or animations, especially when fighting
bosses. You really don’t need to see a five second animation sequence over and
over every time you die and it can tarnish the experience at times.
Another
minor irritation is the timing of some of the sequences. In areas where things
drop from the ceiling or roll along it seems that, on occasion, they don’t
start quickly enough. This means that after death you then have to wait a few
seconds for the object to get moving before you start charging off as otherwise
you end up in the wrong place at the wrong time and die again. These are all
minor issues but in a game as difficult as this it does add to the frustration
when you have to repeat a section a large number of times.
Overall,
Ethan: Meteor Hunter is a brash, inventive and challenging platformer. It has
strong level design and a lot of imagination through its fifty or so levels. It
certainly shows a lot of potential, the few minor issues with timing and
controls seems to have been smoothed out somewhat since the PS3 release which
creates a more enjoyable experience. For those looking for more platforming
action this is another must have, just be prepared to smash a few pads on your
way to conquering the game.
Overall 8/10
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