Flinthook is a unique platformer with a charming art and gameplay.
This post is part of my "First Impression" series:
I'll be playing & posting about as many games from my backlog. I'll write about them and think whether I'd try finishing them or not. Though many of them are from Indiegala.
Good gameplay, Charming Graphics
Flinthook was sitting in my backlog for a while now. I knew it was a good game from the reviews I saw. But I never knew it was so good to play!
What separates this game from other platformers, is the "hook" mechanic which allows the player to jump between specific hook points, enabling you to move between platforms among other things.
In Flinthook you control a space pirate who uses his hook for various things. As well as the powers he gains through adventures. Powers obtained in the first level are: Plasma gun, Slowdown button, and a compass monster.
The pixel art of this game is attractive and full of life. The animations are well done. They feel like they're taken straight from a Cartoon Network animated show.
The game captures the theme of (space-)piracy in an interesting way, there's a lot of anchors in both gameplay, menus & loading screens.
Interesting Characters
The characters feel like they're taken from animated children show, they appear with various sizes and colors. They remind me of the cartoon 'Samurai Jack' somehow.
"Muwahahahahaha!"
It felt like the game tells its story without any dialogue. By the end of the tutorial level, there's someone who has that evil laugh. Is he an enemy? But didn't he just give us the reward of the level?
The game gives these simple mysteries to make the player engaged and for me, it just did that with the first level.
Easy to Learn, Hard to Master
I tried to play it both by Keyboard-Mouse & Xbox Controller and while the experience is different, in each controller type, Flinthook plays as good as the other.
I found playing with controller easier because it's hard for me to use Shift button, WASD & Mouse at the same time to move when in Slowdown mode. Still, with how the hook works it might take time for you to get used to, no matter if you choose controller or keyboard playing.
Will I try to complete this game?
This game is that interesting!