The creatively titled Super Axe Boy, a love letter to platformers that mixes 2D and 3D gameplay, is coming soon to Kickstarter. It’s hoping to earn at least €25,000 from its backers, and it could sure use your money too, as it currently looks like a hastily thrown-together LittleBigPlanet level. Check out the game’s Kickstarter trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS8o8rCFeh4
I’m going to be quick and brutal: I don’t think this looks good. The art direction, if it can be called that, isn’t particularly pleasant to look at, nor is it original. In terms of quality, the music is the only thing in the trailer that can be recommended, but even that quickly grows tiresome and feels, dare I say, juvenile.
The gameplay mechanics are naturally sourced from the genre Super Axe Boy is attempting to pay homage to, so I can hardly criticize its fundamental platforming mechanics as being unoriginal. Though I can definitely point out the fact that dozens, hundreds, even thousands of games have already done such a thing. Unless you can outdo a game like Braid or Super Meat Boy, don’t bother. Nobody wants to play a bad homage when they’ve already played dozens of decent ones. Target an untapped market. Do something new.
Sorry, Matthias Falk. You’ll have to do more to convince me that Super Axe Boy is worth backing.
Disagree with my harsh verdict? Then show your support for Super Axe Boy on Twitter, and back the campaign when it launches – if only to spite me.
(Note from the editor: If you’d like to support Super Axe Boy before the Kickstarter begins you can head over to the Super Axe Boy Thunderclap campaign now.)
Tell us how you really feel! Hah. I don’t think it looks particularly ground-breaking, but then again I’m not really a fan of the genre. However, trying to top Braid or Super Meat Boy is a tall order for anyone based on what the internet tells me to think.