Game: Bit Boy!! Arcade
Console: Nintendo 3DS
Developer: Bplus
Release Date: 17th April 2014
Bit Boy!! Arcade is a rather strange eShop game on the 3DS; firstly there's not any instructions for players to work out what they're supposed to be doing in the game. The level hub is presented as an open world which can be explored, with explanations of animation and game programming alongside the level selections. Each level has 20 phases, 10 regular and 10 action; regular phases see players rescuing Bit Boy's friends by moving around and collecting them, whereas action levels have a little more puzzling involved.
Gameplay is pretty bland with a Pac-man style to collecting Bit Boy's friends, whilst avoiding Shadowmen. During levels, and inbetween levels Bit Boy will talk with the giant floating head of the game's guide, in truly bizzare conversations. Whenever the guide attempts to explain a feature, Bit Boy says he knows what he's doing in a comically deep voice. This all happens whilst players are attempting the level, and is a major distraction from playing the game.
The graphical style of the game is bland with no real though behind the use of colours and uninteresting character and enemy sprites. The animation is pretty smooth, but it's not enough to make the visuals enjoyable. Musically the game also lacks any real sense of interest, with the conversations mentioned before often drowning out the game's music anyway. The game seems to be generally poorly put together, either in a rush or without play-testing.
Overall Bit Boy!! Arcade doesn't reward progression through the game at all; there's nothing fun to unlock or see, save for the knowledge you've done all the levels, the environments aren't worth exploring, the gameplay is similar to, but less exciting than Pac-man, and the overall difficulty level is far too easy. Maybe this game would appeal to very young children, but so does Mario, and he's much more fun!
Rating: 44/100
Grade: E
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