There’s nothing lazier than saying [new upcoming game] is like a combination of [this game] and [that game]. Well guess what? I’m feeling lazy! Not only that, but I actually think describing the upcoming Momoka as a combination of Soosiz (Free) and Swordigo (Free), with a bit of the upcoming Prevail thrown in, is actually the best way to describe it.
Soosiz is a classic platformer (in the iOS world at least) that was based around gravity and had you jumping between tiny, bite-sized platforms in its levels. Many people called it a “2D Super Mario Galaxy" at the time, which was pretty accurate. Then there’s Swordigo, a Metroidvania-style exploratory action platformer with 2.5D visuals. Swordigo got knocked for its graphics, which some felt weren’t up to par, but due to its stellar gameplay it has become something of a cult classic in the iOS world. Interestingly, both Soosiz and Swordigo were developed by the same company, Touch Foo. Then there’s Prevail, an upcoming side-scrolling adventure game that we’ve been covering for years. One of its hallmark features is the ability to hop into a spaceship on whatever planet you’re on and blast off through the atmosphere and into space in search of another planet to explore.
So, take the gravity-based, tiny-island style of Soosiz, the graphical style and Metroidvania-ness of Swordigo, and the planet-hopping aspect of Prevail, mash them all together, and that’s Momoka. Check out the trailer.
I really like the trailer for Momoka, and I like that it has a similar “homemade" feel to something like Swordigo. I was among those who actually liked the graphics in Swordigo and thought it had a lot of charm, and I get the same impression from Momoka. The only bummer is that it’s still a little ways off, with a planned release date of January 2016. When it does hit, Momoka will set you back $6.99 and will support iPhone, iPad and the Apple TV. It’ll also include Game Center integration, iCloud game save syncing, and MFi controller support. The whole enchilada of features! Keep an eye out for more on Momoka leading up to its release early next year.
I played the other games like this but they don't compare
I completely agree with Carter's review, point-for-point. It probably took me 2 hours to play through this game, and it was thoroughly enjoyable all the way through. Some of the puzzles were very simple, and none were too taxing to figure out, but just enough of a challenge to keep it a quick fun romp.
The thing that kinda bothered me was the fact that there was no indication that this was episodic, and the game itself doesn't appear to be set up for an IAP for the next installment, which makes me wonder how the next episode will be delivered; as a IAP or as a new standalone app. In either case, after getting burned by Republique (seriously, to the devs of that game, get on the stick, it's been years since the first episode, but I digress), the point is, I hate waiting, so I'll wait for the entire series to be released before diving in. So I'd appreciate knowing up front that I'm not getting the complete experience.
But still, it's a great looking, fun little game that cost less than a coffee at Starbucks.
I have to agree that this game is excellent... Until the ending. I was all set for a whole new section to play through and then the game ends abruptly with zero resolution or meaningful cliffhanger. Judging from what I've read elsewhere, it seems to me that the devs set up a game with an initial story idea but have no real overall story to tell... It will play out in subsequent installments and I look forward to more, but I'll be waiting for them to complete the story before I invest any more time with it. Just like telltale games, I'll wait till they release every chapter.
I think a 4 star Carter review would teeter on 4 & 1/2 for me. As well I have been waiting for this to release. Like a dork I signed up to get an email when it dropped. So I'm picking it up no question.
Of the recent point and click (though that's not really a particularly apt description of the genre now!) adventures, I'd place Agent A at the top. I absolutely loved the setting, the whole 60s vibe, the voicework, the set design - and the puzzles too, which hit just the right balance, for me, not being esoteric, nor trivial.
The ending here I don't mind at all - it's just "End of Part One", to be continued.. well, okay, not next week, unless they've got a real surprise planned. =:) I'd actually sooner have it thusly than a cliffhanger - for me, that's a storywriting instrument that's heavily overused.