Pizza Tower Review (Radicalist)
8.7/10
Pizza Tower
Italian-type Platformer
+++++ Faster than Sonic ever was: The whole concept of the game is you don't just finish a platforming level, you also have to backtrack through in a countdown, recontextualizing the entire level. If you are too fast you can even go for a 3rd lap. Another dimension of this is that combo meter that is constantly draining unless you kill an enemy or get coins (which makes them actually useful for the first time in all platformers). This change in formula fixes a lot of my problems with platformer genre, most importantly challenge coming from level knowledge, quick reflexes and thinking to not lose your combo instead of mindless pixel perfect jumps grind.
++++ Gimmicks and Levels: Every single level feels like a bonus/special level of another game if that makes sense. They include several gimmicks (kinda like mario transformations) and obstacles that is unique to that level. From Hot Pepper Invicibility to Cow Aliens to FNAF Animatronics, the game has it all.
+++ Smooth and Fast Controls: Another problem which Sonic games had was that they always had to break momentum eventually which created a stop and go and stop loop that was not very fun. Pizza Tower on the other hand is all gas no breaks. Rarely i was stuck to a little notch and lost all momentum. Very easy and fun to master.
+++ Fun Boss Levels: Fun boss fights are hard, fun platformer bosses even harder. But Pizza Tower pulls it off by not making bosses have dumb hitboxes or invincible states. All the times i was hit, i had no one to blame but myself. And it is possible to speedrun bosses by optimal play, so it's not entirely a tennis match of hit and wait.
++ MS Paint-y Artstyle: Makes all characters expressive and backgrounds not complicated. The simple color palette makes it perfect for this type of game.
++ New Character Update: Game has a 2nd character which has an alternative moveset (which is more fun in my opinion). Doubles the gameplay time and a fun inclusion.
+ Is Funny: It is humorous to say the least.
-- Formula Downsides: It having an unique formula also means it has unique problems. One of them being required to watch and learn to p-rank instead of just trying. It is quite impossible to p-rank in your first try because of secrets and not knowing most efficent way. Watching a p-rank video makes you much more equipped but also cuts a portion of the learning out of the game. Wish there was a more organic way to find secrets you've missed after you finish a level.
Other Thoughts
*Now my favorite platformer.