Platforming party robot parties and platforms until he powers down. For good.
SHINY
Developer: Garage227 Studios
Platform: PC
MonsterVine was supplied with a PC code for preview
Touting itself as a non-violent action platformer, SHINY is a unique entry into the crowded genre of leaping protagonists. Kramer, our heroic and pacifist robot, is out to save his mechanical pals from their impending doom. Their planet, Aurora, is on the brink of a very unhealthy encounter with its sun. Unlucky for Kramer, he needs all his friends on their feet in order to escape in time. Jumping his way through 20 levels, Kramer needs to collect and dole out all the energy he can find to wake everyone up and get off the planet alive.
What Garage227 Studios put together is a fascinating take on the action platformer. Instead of having all the time in the world to explore the branching levels, or having some artificial timer counting down to your artificial game over, Kramer is constantly using his power supply with each movement he makes. Every action take its toll on our protagonist’s reserves, and sharing energy to revive the robots scattered throughout the level is another draw on the already limited supply. Accessing generators acts as checkpoints and a way to recharge. Once your robot buds are up and running, they are kind enough to drop a quick unlimited energy power-up that starts a somewhat cringe-worthy trance music track as you leap and bound to your heart’s delight (Kramer always has time to party). Taking damage from environmental hazards is another way to get drained of power quickly, and there are certainly plenty of those to get through. Some items are required in later levels, like a cooling system to survive the quintessential fire level, and of course the obligatory jetpack.
Putting all this together and you have a solid concept behind a frantic, yet methodical platformer. Unfortunately in its current state the platforming falls short. A high jump and floaty movement makes it a slippery experience, while some odd object collisions can have you perching in some odd spots, or getting destroyed by hazards at unfair times. It’s important to keep in mind the early stage of development SHINY is in, and hope for these issues to be dealt with in time for it’s full release.
