Linked Mask
- September 8, 2022
- Spoonman Games
Get on Steam"Linked Mask" is a single-player, top-down action-adventure game. Players control a mask-wielding character with special abilities, solving puzzles and battling enemies in procedurally generated levels. The game features a unique art style and a focus on fast-paced combat and exploration.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The platforming mechanics are fun and fluid, providing a rewarding challenge for players who enjoy difficult gameplay.
- The game features a fantastic art style and a great soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- The level design is well thought out, encouraging players to think creatively to overcome challenges.
- The game suffers from significant control issues, including inconsistent physics and unresponsive inputs that can lead to frustration.
- Many players find the lack of a proper tutorial and the game's intentional difficulty to be off-putting, making it inaccessible for casual gamers.
- Visual design problems, such as limited color palettes and blending of background and foreground elements, make it difficult to distinguish hazards from platforms.
- graphics22 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a nostalgic art style reminiscent of the Game Boy era, blending influences from various generations to create a unique visual experience. However, while the graphics are visually appealing, they can hinder gameplay by making it difficult to distinguish platforms and hazards from the background. Additionally, there are technical issues, such as an excessively high framerate at launch, which may frustrate players.
“The game has a fantastic art style, one that not only invokes the nostalgic Game Boy era of old, but takes influence from other works in different generations to present itself as a 'lost Game Boy game that you forgot you owned.'”
“There's a good chance you'll be frustrated for the wrong reasons in this game... but man, the graphics, the music, the character designs are all great, and most of the gameplay is very good too!”
“The Game Boy graphics are handled well, save for a few spots where it can be hard to see certain projectiles.”
“However, the graphics, while pretty, fail to serve the gameplay in a few key ways.”
“I spent a while going back and forth on whether this was intentional or not; it seems like the art style may have changed partway through development. I don't know how else to describe the, pun intended, contrast in visual designs.”
“Due to the graphical design, it can be difficult just to separate the platforms and dangers (e.g. spikes) from the background.”
- music18 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised as its standout feature, featuring a fantastic and modern soundtrack that enhances the overall experience with both calming and high-energy tracks. However, there is a notable contrast between the high-quality music and the retro-style sound effects, which some players find jarring. Overall, the soundtrack is described as funky and groovy, complementing the beautiful art style and challenging gameplay.
“Possibly the best part of the game is its fantastic soundtrack with nice quiet moments, good mood setters, and a series of blood-pumping action hits.”
“The composer made a good choice to omit the limitations of the 4-channel Game Boy hardware and go with a full modern OST with no limitations to breathe modern life into the classic art style.”
“Very important to note that the music is funky as hell, groovy even.”
“Seeing as the music chose to go modern, it is a bit questionable why the sound effects did not get the same treatment.”
“The composer made a good choice to omit the limitations of the 4 channel Game Boy hardware and go with a full modern OST with no limitations to breathe modern life into the classic art style.”
- gameplay18 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of well-designed levels and engaging platforming challenges, but it suffers from inconsistent and janky core mechanics that can frustrate players. While the game encourages learning and adaptation, the requirement to manage momentum through complex controls can detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, many players appreciate the game's graphics, music, and character designs, indicating that there is potential for enjoyment if one perseveres through the initial learning curve.
“Switching to some positives for a moment, I do think the levels and layout were well thought out, and spent a long time thinking about how the player will approach each platforming challenge, and find a few ways to use its existing mechanics to make the player think about solving their challenges.”
“There's a good chance you'll be frustrated for the wrong reasons in this game... but man, the graphics, the music, the character designs are all great, and most of the gameplay is very good too!”
“Also, it appears frame rate has an effect on gameplay.”
“The big problem with Linked Mask is not that it has unfair or hard levels, it's that you have to make your way through those levels with core mechanics that are janky and unreliable.”
“The gameplay can be buggy and inconsistent.”
“These are not direct criticisms if the game has been built around this idea, but the core mechanics seem to be at odds with this movement design, requiring you to release the movement keys on slopes to gain momentum while sliding, but then resetting the player's velocity the moment you have left the ground, requiring the player to constantly switch between not inputting and quickly holding to ensure the momentum isn't lost after jumping after a slide.”
- story4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story is intriguing but can be challenging to engage with due to its cryptic dialogue and overwhelming number of elements that detract from a nostalgic feel. While players express a strong interest in the narrative, the complexity may hinder deeper investment.
“I was just interested in the story and eager to try more hard platforming.”
“With the eloquent and cryptic speech you'll encounter, it can make it a bit difficult to get invested in the story.”
“They're a little too numerous to feel like a nostalgic throwback, and with the eloquent and cryptic speech you'll encounter, it can make it a bit difficult to get invested in the story.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is generally enjoyable and features a fun style, but players have reported bugs and inconsistencies in gameplay, particularly in challenging kaizo sections. Many hope for future fixes to improve stability.
“The gameplay can be buggy and inconsistent.”
“The gameplay can be buggy and inconsistent.”
“Good game, does have kaizo sections but fun and nice style, does have some glitches though, hope it gets fixed.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Users express confusion regarding the game's structure, noting that levels can be accessed out of order, which may impact the overall replayability experience. This lack of a linear progression could lead to varied gameplay experiences, but it also raises questions about the intended challenge and engagement.
“I'm not sure why level 2 or others are playable before beating level 1.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from its kaizo platformer mechanics, particularly the unexpected hidden blocks that can lead to sudden and amusing failures. Players who appreciate this type of slapstick humor will likely enjoy the experience.
“It's a kaizo platformer, so if you find surprise hidden blocks that punt you into an abyss as funny as I do, you'll have a great time.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a thrilling sense of exhilaration, as players experience intense moments of speed and freedom when navigating slopes. This dynamic creates a rush that enhances the overall gameplay experience.
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While the game excels in graphics, music, and character design, reviews indicate that character development may leave players feeling frustrated, suggesting that it lacks depth or progression. Overall, the gameplay is generally well-received, but the character arcs may not meet expectations.
