Entertaining and challenging.
The game follows classic sidescrolling conventions. The character, while dull, is quickly embrassed due to the tight controls and cutsey art style. The game is genuinely challenging, a concept that is lost in most games these days. What I did find odd was the level design.
It is very vague, at time changing the topography of the level, which made it difficult to discern which direction to go. Even stranger were the top to bottom levels. One could easily jump off te edge and land onto the boss stage while avoiding the level's middle altogether.
The game is well done but not as difficult as it proposes. The bosses are difficult but never unbeatable. Even in the stages where multiple bosses are used together, learning the patterns will eventually lead to victory.
A by the book side scroll er with some interesting ideas like the constantly changing levels )it add a sense of awareness, denying players a chance to memorize the path to avoid threats.) and the shield mechanic. This little safety net adds strategy to the experience while extending the game time. A great game that manages to have good game play and decent difficulty.
What's best about it is that it never panders to the audience (as evident by the title). The game knows that most gamers go through other games like tissue: consuming rather than savoring. With its constantly increasing difficulty, good controls, and interesting boss battles, This is a shining example of what other games should strive for.
