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
- Gorgeous 2.5D visuals and a vibrant art style that enhances the gameplay experience.
- Engaging and dynamic gameplay with a unique character-swapping mechanic that adds depth and variety to platforming challenges.
- Fantastic soundtrack that complements the game's atmosphere and keeps players motivated.
- Controls can feel slippery and imprecise, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- Lack of tutorials and clear instructions can make it difficult for players to understand character abilities and game mechanics.
- Some levels are gated behind optional objectives, which can hinder progress for players who prefer a more straightforward experience.
- music97 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its catchy, memorable soundtracks that enhance the gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the diverse range of tracks, with each level featuring unique compositions that match the atmosphere and challenges, reminiscent of classic platformers. Overall, the soundtrack is described as energetic, fitting, and a significant factor in the game's appeal, prompting many players to purchase it separately.
“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.”
“Even if I got stuck on a part of a level, the music would keep me determined to beat it.”
“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.”
“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!”
- gameplay59 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a dynamic and innovative two-button control scheme that allows players to switch between different animal forms, each with unique abilities, fostering a puzzle-solving experience within a 2D platformer context. While many players appreciate the fast-paced, challenging nature and the variety of mechanics introduced throughout the game, some criticize the sluggish character movement and inconsistent mechanics, particularly in later stages. Overall, the game offers a mix of fun and frustration, appealing to both completionists and casual players, despite some design quirks and a lack of tutorials.
“Super fast sonic-style gameplay with lots of different challenges and ways to tackle them.”
“I really enjoy the swapping mechanic of Mekazoo; it allows for such a diverse range of play and great ways to solve puzzles.”
“The gameplay is excessively fun, using momentum between animals and levels along with memorable music, which would immediately rate as a near-perfect meka-game.”
“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.”
- graphics47 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are frequently praised for their vibrant and rich aesthetics, offering a beautiful and stylized environment that enhances the overall experience. However, some players find the visuals to be overly busy and distracting, which can hinder gameplay, particularly in more challenging stages. Despite these criticisms, the combination of stunning visuals and a fitting soundtrack contributes to a unique and enjoyable platforming experience.
“The graphics are vibrant and rich.”
“Graphically, Mekazoo has a really nice stylized environment going for it, and coupled with the 3D areas, it just looks gorgeous.”
“Ultimately, with the great platforming control, smooth level design, beautiful level artwork, and the powerful, fitting, memorable music, I would recommend this game to anyone who has been waiting for a new, original platformer to come out.”
“The graphics, while not ugly, are kinda 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.”
- story20 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The story in Mekazoo is minimal, lacking a cohesive narrative or overarching theme, which some players find disappointing. While certain levels convey their own stories, particularly through environmental storytelling, the game primarily focuses on gameplay rather than an epic plot. Casual players may enjoy the unique level designs, but those seeking a rich narrative experience may want to look elsewhere.
“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.”
“You set out on a mission, you had a clear objective, the controls were simple enough, and every level was unique and memorable.”
“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.”
“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.”
- emotional6 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's emotional elements contribute significantly to their overall enjoyment and connection to the experience.
“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.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features highly polished and visually distinct level designs that significantly enhance its replayability, making it a worthwhile investment despite its short duration.
“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.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from stability issues common in many Unity titles, with players reporting sloppy, buggy, and inconsistent gameplay that significantly impacts the experience, especially in the more challenging later stages.
“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.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has been criticized for performance issues that hinder gameplay, alongside a limited design that may restrict overall user experience.
“The game suffers from significant performance issues, which severely impact the overall experience.”
“The limited design choices lead to a lack of optimization, making gameplay feel clunky and unresponsive.”
“I encountered frequent frame drops and lag, indicating that the optimization is far from adequate.”
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%