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.
Reviews
- The game features great graphics, a fantastic soundtrack, and well-designed character art that evokes nostalgia.
- The platforming mechanics can be fun and fluid, especially for players who enjoy challenging gameplay and kaizo elements.
- There are generous checkpoints and health features, making it accessible for those who appreciate difficult platformers.
- The gameplay is plagued by bugs, inconsistent physics, and camera issues that can lead to frustrating experiences, including softlocks.
- The visual design can make it difficult to distinguish between platforms and hazards, leading to confusion and unfair deaths.
- A lack of proper tutorials and guidance can leave players feeling lost, especially those unfamiliar with kaizo-style games.
- graphics11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are praised for their nostalgic art style reminiscent of the Game Boy era, effectively blending influences from various generations. However, some players find that the visuals can hinder gameplay, as certain elements like platforms and hazards are difficult to distinguish from the background, leading to frustration. Overall, while the graphics are visually appealing, they may not always serve the gameplay effectively.
“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.'”
“The graphics and art are impressive, showcasing a unique blend of nostalgia and modern design that truly enhances the gaming experience.”
“The Game Boy graphics are handled well, save for a few spots where it can be hard to see certain projectiles.”
“However, their 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.”
- gameplay9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is marked by significant bugs and inconsistencies, leading to potential frustration for players, particularly due to janky core mechanics that can disrupt momentum and movement. While the level design is praised for its thoughtfulness and challenge, the overall experience is hampered by unreliable mechanics and frame rate issues, making it difficult for players to fully engage with the game. Despite these drawbacks, some players find enjoyment in the graphics and music, suggesting that the gameplay may improve with time and practice.
“The levels and layout were well thought out, and I spent a long time considering how the player will approach each platforming challenge, finding multiple ways to use existing mechanics to solve their challenges.”
“There's a good chance you'll be frustrated for the wrong reasons in this game, but the graphics, the music, the character designs are all great, and most of the gameplay is very good too!”
“It appears that frame rate has an effect on gameplay.”
“The gameplay can be buggy and inconsistent.”
“The core mechanics seem to be at odds with the 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 leave the ground. This forces the player to constantly switch between not inputting and quickly holding to ensure momentum isn't lost after jumping from a slide.”
“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.”
- music9 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its fantastic soundtrack, featuring a mix of atmospheric tracks and energetic action pieces that enhance the overall experience. While the modern orchestral score contrasts sharply with the retro sound effects, which remain limited to 8-bit sounds, the music itself is described as funky and beautifully composed, contributing significantly to the game's appeal. Overall, the soundtrack stands out as a highlight, elevating the game's artistic presentation.
“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.”
“The composer made a good choice to omit the limitations of the 4-channel Game Boy hardware and go with a full modern OST, bringing modern life into the classic art style.”
“Seeing as the music chose to go modern, it is a bit questionable why the sound effects did not get the same treatment.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game exhibits notable stability issues, with users reporting bugs and inconsistencies in gameplay. While it features enjoyable elements and challenging sections, the presence of glitches detracts from the overall experience, leaving players hopeful for future fixes.
“The gameplay can be buggy and inconsistent.”
“Good game, does have kaizo sections but fun and nice style; however, it does have some glitches that I hope get fixed.”
- story2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The story has garnered mixed reactions, with some players expressing a strong interest in it, while others find the cryptic dialogue challenging to engage with. Additionally, the abundance of platforming elements may detract from the nostalgic feel of the narrative.
“I was just interested in the story and eager to try more challenging platforming.”
“The eloquent and cryptic speech you'll encounter 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.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While the game excels in graphics, music, and character design, it appears that character development may not meet players' expectations, potentially leading to frustration.
“The character development in this game is incredibly deep, allowing players to form a genuine connection with each character's journey.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the story; their growth feels organic and impactful.”
“The way the game handles character arcs is impressive, making each decision feel significant and shaping the narrative in meaningful ways.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users express confusion regarding the game's structure, noting that certain levels, such as level 2, can be accessed before completing level 1, which may impact the overall replayability experience.
“I'm not sure why level 2 or others are playable before beating level 1.”
“The game lacks meaningful choices that would encourage multiple playthroughs.”
“Once you complete the main story, there's little incentive to go back and replay.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from its kaizo platformer elements, particularly the unexpected hidden blocks that can lead to comical failures, appealing to players who enjoy this type of playful challenge.
“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.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express that the emotional impact of the game is heightened by the exhilarating experience of navigating slopes, which evokes a sense of thrill and excitement as characters soar at high speeds.
