Tadpole Treble Preview

Tappin’ Tadpole

By Julie Morley

The menu for the game.

There is something about Tadpole Treble that really caught my eye from the get-go. I haven’t stumbled upon many music oriented games that incorporate other elements into it that keep it engaging.  The creators, Michael and Matthew Taranto, took the concept of a side-scroller, but maintaining an automated movement, and added music as both the motivator to play through the level and the theme of the game itself. This concept is definitely unlike anything I have ever played before and I had the pleasure of testing out their demo.

Readers, friends, players abroad, I introduce to you the star of your game: Baton, a tadpole with a love for music and a good sense of it. Baton’s a tadpole trying to get back to where she came from and her travels are influenced by music.

Each level you play is an individual song, using the notes on sheet music to actually pave the way for Baton to pursue. Tadpole Treble’s level design is actually sheet music of original songs in the game. As the song plays, you’re helping Baton avert bumping into the notes and actually bouncing off of targets by hitting them with her tail.  It made the player actually get involved with the music through gameplay.

The level design for Chiptune Lagoon.

Fortunately, each level has a song and design that is completely unique from the previous. With each level the player progresses with, you will be in for something different and surprising every time. This removes predictability and keeps the content fresh and entertaining.

Speaking of unique levels, there is something both familiar and nostalgic but also unexpected for a musical game to the table: boss battles. Remember how I mentioned side-scrolling before? Of course in the majority of the side-scrollers we know and love there were typically boss battles of a sort. Tadpole Treble isn’t an exception to this, they definitely did not leave this out.

Tadpole Treble is about a tadpole that is just trying to make it home and must travel great lengths (hence each musical level of different design) to reach that destination. When going on a journey, there will be different locations, themes, and most importantly, characters encountered. This does not stray away from any sort of villain or predatory individual.

The level design of Turtle Pipes.

In a boss battle level, turtle pipes, Baton is challenged with fleeing from a very hungry turtle. This level becomes progressively more challenging because not only must the player avoid the sludge piles that the turtle snaps it’s head to eat, but also must time the tail flips to bounce from flower to flower in order to avoid crashing into any notes on the stage.

Let me tell you, it took me quite a few tries to really nail it. That turtle can be scary.

The demo gave a very good impression of what is to come with the official game. Tadpole Treble is original and memorable. It keeps the player involved and never fails to be fun. Personally, I am excited to see what comes next.

Game Info

Game : Tadpole Treble

Developer : Bitfinity Games

Platforms : Win / Mac / Mobile