New article: Frogun Encore - just like the good old times. Review

Played on Xbox Series S

Frogun Encore is either a sequel or an independent addition to the 2022D platformer from XNUMX, in which explorer Renata saved the world from the attack of Beelzebub and his minions. In the sequel, it turned out that the bees were not completely destroyed - three years later, one of Beelzebub’s followers figured out how to bring him back, and therefore Renata and her friends again need to travel around the world and defeat enemies.

⇡#Bees again

The author of the project under the pseudonym Molegato continues to be inspired by games from the Nintendo 64 era, so the plot here is about the same important as in Super Mario 64. A short video at the beginning, a couple of dialogues after it, and then a series of levels in which Basically you exchange a few phrases with the bosses. So if you want to go through Frogun Encore with your child, don’t worry about the lack of translation - you won’t miss anything important without knowing the language.

What's more important is the gameplay, and here Frogun Encore will mostly please those who miss 3D platformers and collecting everything that's out of stock. Each level is a small location with platforms hanging in the air, where you need to get to the final point. You can just run to it, see the screen with the results and move on, but it’s better to stick around for the collectibles and complete all the tasks, since this process is very exciting.

Firstly, there are hundreds of coins scattered throughout all levels. Some are just lying somewhere, others are hanging above the ground, others are hidden in chests or in vases and jugs - you grab the utensils and throw them somewhere, since there is no regular attack button here. Secondly, in the process of searching for coins you come across large green emeralds - two on each map. There is also always one hidden note and one obsidian skull - for the latter you need to jump into the portal and pass a separate small test.

The more collectibles you find, the more explored the level is considered. Also here you need to complete the episodes without dying and go through them at speed, managing to meet the specified time. On your first visit, of course, you shouldn’t pay attention to this, but upon returning to old locations, races are usually not difficult - you no longer need to look for secret passages and put the character’s life in danger for the sake of emeralds and skulls. There is no need to complete all the challenges at once - you can complete the level without dying, record it and then collect coins there without worrying about falling into the abyss.

⇡#Not Mario

Of course, in terms of level design, Frogun Encore is far from Super Mario 64. It sorely lacks that combination of depth and minimalism - when at first glance it seems that everything is in the most visible place, but then you begin to interact with the environment and admire the secrets you have found. However, the design cannot be called completely primitive - not all collectible items are found instantly; in the case of some, platform puzzles begin. For example, you can often see stones that explode with the help of red vases, but these vases are located quite far away - you have to be careful on the way to them, and on the way back not to lose the item.

For the sake of interesting moments, I want to continue playing, including because of the non-standard controls. The character cannot attack, and he does not have a grappling hook, but the heroine carries with her that same frogan, a frog cannon. This is a pistol that, when you press the appropriate button, releases a long tongue. You use your tongue to grab objects (and enemies), and also to be attracted to walls and other objects. It is thanks to this weapon that unusual platforming episodes are generated - several funny mechanics are associated with the Frogan. You can make a long jump if you unhook from the wall a moment before landing, you can switch from one target to another in the air, changing the direction of fire, and so on.

You need to get used to the controls, and thanks to Frogan, the game turns from a standard 3D platformer, of which there are already many, into something more original. It's a shame the camera fails. In the previous part it could be rotated freely, but here it became fixed, and since the camera is located at an angle, inconveniences occasionally arise - it is not always clear how close or far away the platform you are going to jump on hangs. Often you can spread straw for yourself by watching the character’s shadow after a jump, but sometimes this doesn’t help either - either there is not enough height, or you need to hurry as you are jumping on collapsing platforms.

Otherwise, the new product is not surprising. The locations are quite diverse - there are deserts and jungles. The bosses are very easy to defeat, but fighting them is fun - first you dodge their attacks, and then throw the garbage they leave behind at them. A convenient world map allows you to quickly move to old levels. And with the collected coins you buy cosmetic items that are not really needed. You can complete the game in one evening - like the first part, it lasts no more than four hours. For the price they ask for it, it’s not the worst entertainment. Oh, and there’s also local co-op – a first in the series.

***

Frogun Encore is a fun old-school 3D platformer. Its visual style is specific (it looks better in dynamics than in screenshots), and the controls don’t seem convenient at first, but the longer you play Encore, the more you want to collect collectibles in the levels and win medals. There are some problems with the fixed camera, and overall the game is not outstanding, but for a fishless platform game this is far from the worst option.

Advantages:

• dozens of different levels;
• I would like to see the frog cannon in other platformers;
• a lot of collectibles that are fun to collect - even just for statistics;
• presence of a local cooperative.

Disadvantages:

• specific graphics - locations often look empty;
• due to the fixed camera, sometimes difficulties arise when jumping;
• The controls take some getting used to.

Rating: 7,0/10

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Source: 3dnews.ru