Mekazoo
- November 14, 2016
- The Good Mood Creators
Mekazoo brings the 2.5D platformer to life as you battle bosses and traverse terrain in a beautifully crafted experience that'll be sure to have you wanting more.
"Mekazoo" is a 2D platformer game with stunning 3D graphics and a thematically diverse soundtrack. Control a pair of synthetic animals, switching between unique movements and abilities to overcome obstacles. Experience both single-player and local co-op gameplay, making it a great choice for players looking for a fun and challenging platformer. The game features classic platforming abilities and unique local co-op gameplay for an unforgettable experience.
Reviews
- The game features a vibrant 2.5D art style and an energetic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- The hot-swapping mechanic between different animals adds depth and variety to the gameplay, allowing for creative problem-solving.
- Levels are designed with a good balance of challenge and replayability, encouraging players to explore and complete various objectives.
- Controls can feel slippery and imprecise, leading to frustrating moments during gameplay.
- The lack of a tutorial or clear instructions makes it difficult for players to understand character abilities and game mechanics.
- Some players find the visuals too busy or distracting, which can hinder the fast-paced gameplay.
- music46 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its catchy, energetic, and fitting soundtracks that enhance the gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the variety of tracks tailored to different levels and challenges, with many comparing the quality to classic titles like Super Mario Galaxy and Donkey Kong. Overall, the soundtrack is described as memorable and motivating, making it a significant aspect of the game's appeal.
“The soundtrack is also perfect for the game and encourages you to keep playing.”
“I hadn't felt a game's soundtrack that was this memorable or energetic and so fitting of where it appeared since Super Mario Galaxy.”
“The fact that the creators of Mekazoo made 36 catchy, hybrid electronic-jazz soundtracks is mind-boggling, and they’re willing to sell their soundtracks on Steam!”
“While it is not as expansive or elegant as some other games, each song suits the level it is played in so well.”
“The fact that the creators of Mekazoo made 36 catchy, hybrid electronic-jazz soundtracks is mindboggling, and they’re willing to sell their soundtracks on Steam!”
“The music in this game is something else, too, so I definitely recommend picking up the soundtrack if you intend to buy this game.”
- gameplay28 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a mix of dynamic mechanics and challenging platforming, featuring a unique two-button control scheme that allows players to switch between different animal forms, each with distinct abilities. While some players appreciate the innovative puzzle-solving aspects and fluid movement, others criticize the sluggish character controls and frustrating mechanics, particularly in later stages. Overall, the game offers a blend of fun and challenge, appealing to both completionists and casual players, despite some inconsistencies and design quirks.
“Super fast sonic-style gameplay with lots of different challenges and ways to tackle them.”
“The gameplay is excessively fun, using momentum between animals and levels along with memorable music would immediately rate as a near perfect meka-game.”
“I really enjoy the swapping mechanic of Mekazoo; it allows for such a diverse range of play and great ways to solve puzzles.”
“Gameplay loop wasn't for me; the movement of characters was limited and sluggish while bosses could move with precision.”
“Interesting concept and decent visual aesthetics and soundtrack; however, just like most Unity games, gameplay is often sloppy, buggy, and inconsistent, which is a huge detriment to gameplay because of its higher difficulty in later stages.”
“Terrible mechanics; feels very frustrating to play.”
- graphics22 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their vibrant and beautiful aesthetics, with many reviewers noting the rich colors and stylized environments that enhance the overall experience. However, some players find the visuals to be overly busy or distracting, which can impact gameplay, particularly in terms of clarity and control. Despite these mixed feelings, the combination of stunning visuals and a fitting soundtrack contributes to a memorable platforming experience.
“The graphics are vibrant and rich.”
“The art style is beautiful and getting 100% of the gems was a nice reason to have another playthrough of all the levels with a bit more patience and attention to detail.”
“Graphically, Mekazoo has a really nice stylized environment going for it, and coupled with the 3D areas, it just looks gorgeous.”
“The graphics, while not ugly, are kind of wonky and very busy/bright.”
“I am usually not the type that complains about framerate drops, but my framerate at the lowest quality of graphics was constantly less than 10 frames a second.”
“Not because of any technical problems, but because the visuals are too loud and busy for me to follow what's going on.”
- story10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The story in Mekazoo is minimal, with no overarching narrative to tie the levels together, which may disappoint players seeking a more immersive experience. While some levels convey their own themes, the game primarily focuses on gameplay rather than storytelling, making it more suitable for those who prioritize action over plot. Overall, the lack of a cohesive story is seen as a significant drawback for players looking for a deeper narrative experience.
“The plot drives the action and keeps things moving with no dialogue (very nicely done, and even has a twist). The graphics are fantastic, colors pop, and you earn specialty costumes and colors by earning gems through combat and collection.”
“However, some levels tell a story of their own, like how some of the forest levels are being chopped up by the similar forces that kidnapped your other animal friends.”
“Casual players can sit back and enjoy the story levels while hardcore players may prefer the challenge levels, which are really hard, requiring precise control and timing.”
“For the story...well, Mekazoo does not really have one.”
“This may be because I feel there is not even a small glimpse of a story to tell.”
“The levels are brilliant, but they don't have an overall story or theme holding them together.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers emphasize the emotional depth of the game, highlighting its heartfelt storytelling and the impact of its soundtrack, which resonates strongly with players. They express a desire to support original creators, indicating that the game evokes genuine feelings and connections, despite occasional frustrations with gameplay mechanics.
“Please, support these creators and show that there's still a home for original, heartfelt games in this industry.”
“There are a lot of 'nice' songs, but there were some great songs that made me feel happier that I bought the soundtrack separately - more of my support going towards good people.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features polished level design that enhances its replayability, with each visually distinct level encouraging multiple playthroughs. Players feel that the engaging levels justify the game's short duration, making it a worthwhile experience.
“Very polished level design that offers high replayability.”
“Each level is visually distinct and offers high replayability, making the game's price worth the short duration.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game presents an interesting concept with appealing visuals and soundtrack, but suffers from significant stability issues typical of many Unity games, leading to a gameplay experience that is often buggy and inconsistent, particularly challenging in later stages.
“Interesting concept and decent visual aesthetics and soundtrack; however, just like most Unity games, the gameplay is often sloppy, buggy, and inconsistent. This is a huge detriment to gameplay, especially due to the higher difficulty in later stages.”
Critic Reviews
A damn good platformer: Mekazoo review
Mekazoo is a gorgeous, brilliantly designed evolution of the platformer genre. It feels natural, playful, engrossing, and challenging all at once. Swapping Mekanimals on the fly adds to the game’s already successful formula by giving it more depth. With a magnificent soundtrack and an intuitive, natural flow, this gem shouldn't be missed.
90%Mekazoo Review
Mekazoo wants desperately to be in the company of Donkey Kong, Mario and Sonic, but can barely rub shoulders with Blinx the Time Sweeper.
40%Mekazoo Review
Mekazoo brings the 2.5D platformer to life as you battle bosses and traverse terrain in a beautifully crafted experience that'll be sure to have you wanting more.
75%