i get why people don't like it but i think it does a lot of things right, it's arguably the best western platformer pre-DKC
>level designs that aren't "SMB1 clone" or "literal maze" and aim for a Nintendo sense of rhythm >simple, responsive and (usually) precise controls - it's not a Sonic clone like every other 16 bit eurojank game and is better off for it >rewards exploration with bonus eras and continue tokens, but doesn't go overboard with it >tells a story in a more sophisticated way than contemporary platformers without interrupting the gameplay >does clever things with the limb mechanic in the later Akrillic levels >with the exception of the amulet, every game mechanic is intuitive and/or well explained >an actual difficulty curve
I don't mean to antagonize, just to express how a view certain points:
>literal maze
Maybe not "literal maze", but levels do become a little maze-like later on. It's not about exploration, but commiting to a path just to learn it's the wrong one and having to backtrack, while facing traps or invincible enemies sapping away your health. >limb mechanic
Indeed, it is clever and creative, but there are also many annoying moments. There are quite a few times in which you literally cripple yourself and have to get by as a torso, while still having to fight the fleas; otherwiss, you can't complete the level.
The limited continues never allowed me to complete the game. Regardless, even though I'm a scrub, I still have fun with the game. It's a good one, but it could have been great instead.
>Maybe not "literal maze", but levels do become a little maze-like later on. It's not about exploration, but commiting to a path just to learn it's the wrong one and having to backtrack, while facing traps or invincible enemies sapping away your health.
that's definitely true for the forest level and maybe Creepy Crag but most of Akrillic consists of loops and figure 8s, was trying to say that even at its worst, there's nothing like pic related
[...]
This game sucks. The camera positioning puts Plok dead center in the screen. Actually, more like at 2/3 of the screen at the wrong side. Insta-dropped.
for what it's worth it's playable in 4:3 if you use an emulator with a widescreen hack, it makes the camera a bit less cramped
there's a ton of minor issues with the game that could be fixed in a rerelease, but the flip side of plok's creators owning the game is that it's two people, working part time, who haven't released a game since 2012.
This game sucks. The camera positioning puts Plok dead center in the screen. Actually, more like at 2/3 of the screen at the wrong side. Insta-dropped.
Hello, Gankertard, welcome to Ganker.
Most of the best retro games are Japanese, whether you have a hateboner for Japan or not, if you were actually alive and conscious back before 6th gen, you'd know this.
> if you were actually alive and conscious back before 6th gen, you'd know this
zoomies just need to actually play something and have a minimum of pattern-recognition, yet I'd go for an instaban on questioning nippon retro supremacy
Westerners didn't get good at game design until DOOM, and even then it still took them almost another decade to finally let go of the "search for the exit in a labryth" philosophy
I remember that being one of those lesser-known games EVERY rental place seemed to have for some reason. Never got desperate enough to rent though. It doesn't seem I missed much from the looks of this thread.
Rented Plok a few times as a a kid and liked it. My younger self was blown away by the music though. I grew up and I forgot about that stuff, but eventually dug through the entire SNES catalog trying to find the game again. Rediscovered it just a few years ago. The gameplay and music still holds up, but feels quaint. Simpler times.
The transformations are a really missed opportunity. They end way too fast, and, if you don't know exactly how to make the most of them, will become quite useless. There are even instances in which you have nothing to try on the powers you gain. Add the fact they're sparse, and you'll feel pretty let down. A shame, because they're fun. The devs should've made specific sections for them, instead of a very brief power-up.
There's some hidden stage warps, but that's about it. And don't forget how the "continues" will actually set you back a few levels because earning one is treated like a checkpoint.
How the fuck do I beat the Bobbins Bros with any semblance of consistency? >got diddled and Game Over'd by the trio as Grandpa Plok, couldn't even get rid of a single one through all my tries >even the regular duo is a bitch
Keep rushing them, keep hitting them, don't give them any chance to land and spit at you. Don't let Irving throw you off in the second fight; just keep up the offense.
Like most western games of the era, you can't pinpoint a perfect strategy, due to some jankiness in the hurtboxes. What you can do is to rely on juggling them with hits, while keeping the ground clear for you to move. It takes practice. Do not focus on getting one specific brother. Just keep rhythmically hitting and juggling, to avoid getting hit while slowly depleting their health. If you're successful, they'll hardly have time to use their projectiles.
It's at least B-tier, I think.
I wish the level design didn't became so convoluted later on. But the music is awesome, and so is playing as Grampa Plok.
Never forget that plok has an ongoing comic
God, what a hideous design they gave him.
Should have stayed true to the simplified in-game sprite.
i get why people don't like it but i think it does a lot of things right, it's arguably the best western platformer pre-DKC
>level designs that aren't "SMB1 clone" or "literal maze" and aim for a Nintendo sense of rhythm
>simple, responsive and (usually) precise controls - it's not a Sonic clone like every other 16 bit eurojank game and is better off for it
>rewards exploration with bonus eras and continue tokens, but doesn't go overboard with it
>tells a story in a more sophisticated way than contemporary platformers without interrupting the gameplay
>does clever things with the limb mechanic in the later Akrillic levels
>with the exception of the amulet, every game mechanic is intuitive and/or well explained
>an actual difficulty curve
I don't mean to antagonize, just to express how a view certain points:
>literal maze
Maybe not "literal maze", but levels do become a little maze-like later on. It's not about exploration, but commiting to a path just to learn it's the wrong one and having to backtrack, while facing traps or invincible enemies sapping away your health.
>limb mechanic
Indeed, it is clever and creative, but there are also many annoying moments. There are quite a few times in which you literally cripple yourself and have to get by as a torso, while still having to fight the fleas; otherwiss, you can't complete the level.
The limited continues never allowed me to complete the game. Regardless, even though I'm a scrub, I still have fun with the game. It's a good one, but it could have been great instead.
>Maybe not "literal maze", but levels do become a little maze-like later on. It's not about exploration, but commiting to a path just to learn it's the wrong one and having to backtrack, while facing traps or invincible enemies sapping away your health.
that's definitely true for the forest level and maybe Creepy Crag but most of Akrillic consists of loops and figure 8s, was trying to say that even at its worst, there's nothing like pic related
for what it's worth it's playable in 4:3 if you use an emulator with a widescreen hack, it makes the camera a bit less cramped
there's a ton of minor issues with the game that could be fixed in a rerelease, but the flip side of plok's creators owning the game is that it's two people, working part time, who haven't released a game since 2012.
Compared yo the best japanese platformers? Yeah it's not as good. When it comes to western platformers? It's one of the best.
This game sucks. The camera positioning puts Plok dead center in the screen. Actually, more like at 2/3 of the screen at the wrong side. Insta-dropped.
You sound like you love modern AAA Sony exclusives.
I haven’t played a Sony console since PS2 and I haven’t bought a console since the Wii.
I like how this is Gankers version of witchcraft lmao
holy weebs Batman
Hello, Gankertard, welcome to Ganker.
Most of the best retro games are Japanese, whether you have a hateboner for Japan or not, if you were actually alive and conscious back before 6th gen, you'd know this.
> if you were actually alive and conscious back before 6th gen, you'd know this
zoomies just need to actually play something and have a minimum of pattern-recognition, yet I'd go for an instaban on questioning nippon retro supremacy
Westerners didn't get good at game design until DOOM, and even then it still took them almost another decade to finally let go of the "search for the exit in a labryth" philosophy
>Log Trail
>level immediately starts with logs falling so that you'll get hit if you move
Jesus, this is basically Asshole Level Design: The Game.
you have to memorize the logs. it exists to filter the unworthy.
git gud, the game is rough, not ass.
The music is god-tier
Ugliest licensed game I've ever seen.
I remember that being one of those lesser-known games EVERY rental place seemed to have for some reason. Never got desperate enough to rent though. It doesn't seem I missed much from the looks of this thread.
Rented Plok a few times as a a kid and liked it. My younger self was blown away by the music though. I grew up and I forgot about that stuff, but eventually dug through the entire SNES catalog trying to find the game again. Rediscovered it just a few years ago. The gameplay and music still holds up, but feels quaint. Simpler times.
The transformations are a really missed opportunity. They end way too fast, and, if you don't know exactly how to make the most of them, will become quite useless. There are even instances in which you have nothing to try on the powers you gain. Add the fact they're sparse, and you'll feel pretty let down. A shame, because they're fun. The devs should've made specific sections for them, instead of a very brief power-up.
The costumes are mostly just to restore your limbs after a lenghty section of using them for switches.
Another janker with a banger soundtrack by Tim Follin
I just hate the set of vehicle levels at the end.
>Really long game.
>No passwords.
>Limited continues.
Sounds a little stressful, like another Kid Chameleon.
There's some hidden stage warps, but that's about it. And don't forget how the "continues" will actually set you back a few levels because earning one is treated like a checkpoint.
How the fuck do I beat the Bobbins Bros with any semblance of consistency?
>got diddled and Game Over'd by the trio as Grandpa Plok, couldn't even get rid of a single one through all my tries
>even the regular duo is a bitch
Keep rushing them, keep hitting them, don't give them any chance to land and spit at you. Don't let Irving throw you off in the second fight; just keep up the offense.
Like most western games of the era, you can't pinpoint a perfect strategy, due to some jankiness in the hurtboxes. What you can do is to rely on juggling them with hits, while keeping the ground clear for you to move. It takes practice. Do not focus on getting one specific brother. Just keep rhythmically hitting and juggling, to avoid getting hit while slowly depleting their health. If you're successful, they'll hardly have time to use their projectiles.
Keep as many of them on one side of you as possible, and stay at a distance where either their jumps or projectiles will pass over you
The soundtrack isn't even that good.
Unpopular opinion
use headphones:
But Plok fucks ass.
>Plok getting with Marina
Chadddd
filtered
oi sounds like you lads are being filtered by a cheeky limb-former, its proper brill if youre not a nonce
It's not that bad, just use warps.