Zapper: One Wicked Cricket
- February 15, 2024
- Big Boat Interactive
Get on Steam"Zapper: One Wicked Cricket" is an action-adventure game featuring a cricket named Zapper on a mission to rescue his brother from the clutches of an evil magpie queen. With gameplay similar to "Frogger 2: Swampy's Revenge," players must navigate through six interactive worlds, avoiding traps and enemies along the way. The game offers a challenging experience, requiring quick reflexes and precise timing to reach the final showdown with the magpie queen.
Reviews
- Nostalgic experience for fans of classic platformers, reminiscent of Frogger.
- Fun level design with interesting secrets and unique environments across different worlds.
- Smooth gameplay and charming character animations, making it enjoyable for both new and returning players.
- Poorly executed PC port with no controller support and limited options for customization.
- Frustrating controls that hinder gameplay, including lack of pre-input timing and awkward keyboard layout.
- Technical issues such as launching problems and low resolution graphics detract from the overall experience.
- gameplay4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay is reminiscent of classic titles like Frogger, featuring interesting level design and unique mechanics. However, players often encounter frustrating deaths due to enemy and movement mechanics, and the lack of controller support leads to an awkward keyboard layout that can hinder the experience. Overall, while the game has fun elements, it could benefit from improved controls and more balanced challenges.
“When I was younger, I remember playing this game and finding that I enjoyed the Frogger-like gameplay.”
“So far, I think this is a really fun game that actually has neat gameplay mechanics.”
“The main mechanic that is missing is controller support, so you have to play using a very odd keyboard layout (arrow keys to move, with Alt, Ctrl, and Z and X used to rotate the character, which is critical to succeeding).”
“The gameplay feels clunky and unresponsive, making it frustrating to execute even the simplest actions.”
“There are too many bugs that disrupt the gameplay experience, causing frequent crashes and loss of progress.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally well-received, featuring unique and visually appealing environments reminiscent of the PS2 era. The game's cute aesthetic and original design elements contribute positively to its overall visual appeal, especially considering its 2002 release.
“Each world features unique and visually appealing environments, reminiscent of PS2-era graphics.”
“It's a very cute Frogger-like game, originally a sequel to Swampy's Revenge, with a variety of original ideas in both gimmicks and level aesthetics.”
“The graphics are quite impressive for a game released in 2002.”
“On top of that, each world has unique and relatively good-looking environments (if you like PS2-era graphics).”
“It's a very cute Frogger-like game, which makes sense for it originally being the sequel to Swampy's Revenge, but it has a bunch of original ideas in terms of both gimmicks and level aesthetics.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is significantly enhanced by the contributions of composers John Guscott, Matt Black, Gerard Gourley, and Andrew Morris, whose orchestrated soundscapes elevate both early and final levels, creating an immersive experience.
“The composers John Guscott, Matt Black, Gerard Gourley, and Andrew Morris created an orchestrated atmosphere that enhanced their style in several early and final levels.”
“The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing players into its world with stunning visuals and haunting soundscapes.”
“Every level is filled with a unique ambiance that keeps you engaged and on the edge of your seat.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a gritty, battlefield-inspired tone that may not resonate with all players, particularly those who find it off-putting or overly harsh.
“The humor in this game is sharp and witty, making even the darkest moments feel lighthearted.”
“I love how the characters have such a quirky sense of humor that keeps me laughing throughout the game.”
“The clever jokes and puns sprinkled throughout the dialogue really enhance the overall experience.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is well-received, enhancing the overall experience, while the levels are described as enjoyable and engaging.
“The music is fantastic and the levels are incredibly fun!”
“The soundtrack perfectly complements the gameplay, making every moment enjoyable.”
“I love how the music enhances the atmosphere and keeps me engaged throughout the game.”
