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Megabyte Punch
PC (Steam)
Mega Fun in a Byte-Sized Package
4/5 stars
When someone says your pet personal project can't become a reality, Megabyte Punch them in the face. It turns out that a two-man development team who just wanted something different was able to come up with their own twist on a few different genres and made it through the arduous process of approval to become a smash hit. Will everyone be able to emulate Team Reptile? Maybe not - bug don't give up on that dream just yet when things can turn out this well.
Presentation: Megabyte Punch presents a retro-looking 2.5 platforming world that is both technological and colorful. The colors really jump out at you and for how simple the design looks - it really does pack a punch. Much like the backgrounds, the characters share the same blocky yet highly-stylized design. Even with split-screen for multi-player, it's kind of crucial to pick a color as sometimes the characters can blend together. The music is very much techo-inspired as are the sound effects. While there is not voice-overs, you don't really need that in this particular game.
The whole retro-futuristic look really works to the game's advantage. Whether launching enemies halfway across the map or trying to find that hidden color, it's easy to fall in love with the look and feel of the game and it enhances your experience pretty well.
Story: You are living in a digital world - one where the living software programs known as Megacs reside and rule. But your peaceful village is suddenly turned upside-down when an artifact known as the Hearstone decides to communicate with you - and brings a warning: evil forces will soon arrive to try and harness its power and should they succeed, the village will fall. The hero (or heroes if playing with friends) starts on their journey across several levels, in order to protect the Heartstone, even if it means going up against powerful administrative Megacs. While the story isn't deep, at least there is something behind all the fighting going on and it's a nice touch to what could have been an otherwise rote fighting/platforming game.
Gameplay: Megabyte Punch combines a few different genres - platforming, fighting and beat 'em up style. It takes some cues from Super Smash Bros. (especially during boss battles) where you have a meter that increases. As you take more damage you fly further until, ultimately you die. Just like SSB you have directional attacks, you can shield and you can double-jump (or more if you equip the right items). Unlike SSB, there are no items to throw and/or use.
With that in mind, the game gives you several options on how to approach fighting. As you kill enemies and bosses, you come across parts that you can customize your Megac with: head, shoulders, torso, hips, arms and legs - each one can give you several different abilities. Some enhance speed or power, other gives you weapons (both melee and ranged) and yet others give you unique abilities - like being able to drill through certain walls or surviving deadly red poison that appears in some levels. You have to figure out what is more important - having a third (or fourth) jump, having a powerful (but slow) melee attack or spamming a weaker ranged attack. While I wish there was a bit more variety to the options, the game provides a decent enough assortment to keep things going. As stated, you can also customize your color (the colors are hidden throughout the levels - sometimes deviously so) but it's only aesthetic, it doesn't give you any other advantage.
Replayability: The main reason to go back is to discover all the hidden parts and colors scattered about the different levels. Plus, you can try a few different customization options to see what suits you best.
Overall: Aside from a few minor headaches (controller issues and a multi-stage head-beater of a final boss), Megabyte Punch is a solid game - especially with friends along for the ride.
Presentation: 4/5
Story: 3/5
Gameplay: 4/5
Replayability: 4/5
Overall (not an average): 4/5
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