Though it’s not the sequel I or many others expected, Super Meat Boy Forever is a fun and challenging new take on the Meat Boy formula. I could take or leave the infinite running, but the game that’s designed around this mechanic is enjoyable enough for me to accept this change.
Super Meat Boy Forever
Developer: Team Meat
Price: $20
Platforms: Nintendo Switch (reviewed) and PC
MonsterVine was provided with a Switch code for review
A sequel to an extremely challenging game that originally came from Newgrounds? Sounds like a Spencer game! I loved the original Super Meat Boy, as it was an incredibly tight and difficult platformer that kept daring you to try a level one more time. Super Meat Boy Forever is a bit different, as it changes the core mechanics of the original Meat Boy in some pretty major ways. It works for what it is though, and if you’re open to change, you’ll likely find quite a bit to enjoy in Super Meat Boy Forever.
The story of Super Meat Boy Forever is surprisingly engaging, as it feels straight out of an action movie due to its bombastic nature and simplicity. Meat Boy and Bandage Girl have a child, Nugget, who is kidnapped by Dr. Fetus. Throughout the game, as you battle Dr. Fetus, his bosses unintentionally create a rebellion of wounded animals and former bosses who band together to take revenge on Dr. Fetus. If that wasn’t enough, Meat Boy and Bandage Girl are tossed throughout reality on the quest to save Nugget, which ends in a surprisingly emotional way for such a goofy game. I had a lot of fun watching the story, as it’s presented through silly cutscenes with smooth animation, and it never takes itself too seriously.
Super Meat Boy Forever makes some big changes to the original Meat Boy, with the two biggest updates coming in the form of infinite running and a punch ability. If you’re familiar with the original Super Meat Boy, these changes may take some getting used to. They’re quite substantial, and while I prefer the gameplay of the previous title, I found Super Meat Boy Forever to be a lot of fun when taken on its own merits. The game is clearly designed around these new systems, as levels are made with constant running and extended punching-jumps in mind. Pretty much every level is incredibly challenging, which I prefer in a Meat Boy.
“The real highlight comes from the bosses though, who are meticulously designed to be roadblocks that you have to overcome through learning and dying repeatedly.“
Levels are almost like puzzles in a way, as you figure out how to navigate an area after repeated retries. The time between dying and restarting from a checkpoint is minimal, which is essential and much appreciated in a game that involves so much dying. The checkpoints are very fair, and having unlimited retries makes each death feel like progression rather than frustration. New mechanics are seamlessly introduced with each level, which makes the entirety of the game feel fresh and exciting. The real highlight comes from the bosses though, who are meticulously designed to be roadblocks that you have to overcome through learning and dying repeatedly. Each boss is entirely different, requiring their own skill sets that push you to try new things as you get to each phase.
Visually, Super Meat Boy Forever is as charming as the original game, and a bit smoother on top of that. The old-school Flash style is still present, with Flash lines and the same character designs that you’d expect to see, but it all looks cleaner and smoother. The music is catchy and suited to the fast-paced gameplay, though it’s not quite as memorable as I had hoped overall.
The Final Word
Super Meat Boy Forever is quite different from Super Meat Boy, but as its own game, it’s both difficult and rewarding. The bosses are the best part overall, but each level had me addicted as I progressed through the game. It’s not the sequel you may have wanted, but it’s a strong game nonetheless.
MonsterVine Rating: 4.5 out of 5 – Great
