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3D adventure/platformers are a dime a dozen with developers looking to create the next big thing. Mascots such as Crash bandicoot, Ratchet and Clank, and Jak and Daxter have helped grow the genre and the indie scene has its fair share of contestants looking to join the ranks of those that have come before them. Unfortunately, it takes more than just a cute mascot to remain relevant in gaming. Thankfully, Boti: Byteland Overclocked hits all the right notes to make it a memorable game that stands out in a sea of games that are chasing the same goal.
We find ourselves alongside Boti, a data bot accompanied by Zero and One. With Boti being new to the world of Byteland, he is tasked with carrying data from one place to another. Unfortunately during an attempt to overclock byteland, Boti and his companions find themselves at the center of a mass issue plaguing their world. It is up to the trio to take on the many viruses around byteland while trying to restore balance and track down some missing friends.
Right off the bat, Boti: Byteland Overclocked reminded me of the times spent playing older 3d platformers that filled the ps2 library. The graphics are reminiscent of that older charm with vibrant colors and bouncy characters filling the screen. Very rarely will you find a character idle by themselves and those that are standing around often comment about the hard work they have been doing. Since they live inside of a computer, every NPC has an important role to play in ensuring that the computer runs smoothly and efficiently. Bot can chit chat with some of the other little programs running around and his two companions will also chime in when they have something to say. If the chit chat of Zero and One is a little too much then you will be pleased to know that you can turn down the frequency of their chatter.
You will find yourself traversing a multitude of levels that vary in color schemes and objectives. Boti is capable of running and gliding across large gaps as well as performing a ground pound to activate switches. Boti will be tasked with reaching the end of the level while traversing perilous planes filled with tricky platforming and simple enemies to dispatch. One thing that I fully enjoyed was the fact that combat makes use of the skills you have been utilizing over the course of the game so everything will feel familiar as you move along. With checkpoints spread frequently throughout the levels, there is never a moment where things feel impossible and you are able to step away from the game without losing hours of progress. With a multitude of costumes and collectables to pick up along the way, this was a pleasant surprise that came in handy on multiple occasions.
The game also features a multiplayer mode that will allow for two players to take part in the journey in both local as well as online co-op, and while I personally was not able to make use of this mode, it was nice to see it as an option. With the cute aesthetic and simple controls, this is definitely a game accessible to the younger audience that wants a more hands on experience. With a plethora of gameplay changes that occur throughout the adventure, no one will have to be concerned with gameplay becoming stale as progress is made. I often found myself trying to replay sections that had you sliding down a slope while trying to hit all the notes. Although this really only rewarded you with a trophy showing that you managed to pull this off, I was so wrapped up in how good it felt to control Boti that I didn’t mind redoing these sections.
The adventure was filled with good feelings all around and even when faced with severe danger, Boti managed to stay upbeat and fun. While the character doesn’t speak in game, it was nice to see the personality shine through in all of their movements and actions. Zero and One are both nice traveling companions that will bicker along the way and provide some guidance to Boti along the way. I had a wonderful time traveling with the three while they sought out a way to fix a mistake that they made in an attempt to make things better. Gameplay felt smooth and responsive as I maneuvered Boti around from one platform to the next while taking out the various viruses that stood in my way. While there were a few performance issues when things started to get busy, I ran into no major issues along the way that would have prevented me from finishing the game. Boti: Byteland Overclocked is an adorable adventure for anyone looking to play through it alone or with a friend.
