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Sometimes a simple idea can be underwhelming and disappointing. However, in the case of Color Pals, I was thoroughly impressed. This basic indie title is colourful, testing, and enjoyable. Moreover, it is addictive and it will make you swear repeatedly.
Developed by Double Mizzlee and Eastasiasoft Limited and published by the latter, this is a puzzle title. What’s more, it incorporates basic platform mechanics and has a fine layer of difficulty to keep you going. However, its short game length and lack of replay value hold it back. Consequently, the developers missed a trick by ignoring both a speedrun option and an NG+ mode.
Color Pals tells no story.
You control a colourful square that wishes to escape each level. This simple creature can jump and do little else. Yet, its agility and determination ensure that you make it through most of the levels unscathed. What confused me, though, was the lack of a story. Subsequently, the action has no depth, and there was no justification as to what was happening.
Alongside this, other than the puzzles, you’ll experience no big bosses. With 50 stages to complete, I’d have expected to face 5 monstrous creatures. However, the game meanders on with minor changes to the action and occasionally more convoluted arenas to traverse.
The lack of depth didn’t matter.
Though I sound like I’m moaning, I enjoyed Color Pals. The action is unbelievably addictive, and the drip-fed ideas ensure that you rarely feel uncomfortable. What’s more, the quick stages help to alleviate any sense of loss when you die repeatedly. The core concept is straightforward and each stage is made up of different coloured platforms. The hero begins as one colour and he must traverse each level collecting stars and keys and changing his colour. If you don’t match the colour of the platform you land on, you’ll die and lose your progress. Moreover, there are moving spikes to avoid as they will kill you instantly.
Alongside this, the game tries to make each stage look more complicated than it is. Consequently, you’ll change colour repeatedly only to realise that many of the moves were unnecessary. This was brilliantly cheeky and something that’ll make you chuckle. However, when you die unnecessarily, you’ll swear, sigh, and curse the developer’s evil shenanigans.
Color Pals oozes indie charm.
I cannot decide what makes Color Pals so charming. Is it the simple gameplay, vivid colour palette, or old-school aesthetic? Whatever it is, this oozes indie charm. Every stage plays out using a fixed-screen perspective. This was a fantastic choice as it made solving each level much more achievable. Furthermore, the hero is cute as hell and the stage design is interesting and normally more complex than necessary. Accordingly, you’ll chuckle as you unnecessarily complete extra steps or analyse each situation.
The audio is equally refined. The wonderful chiptune music is shrill, and basic, but brilliantly retro. Moreover, there are limited tracks to listen to. As you die, the game selects one track at random for you to enjoy. However, with only a handful of songs on offer, the audio is somewhat repetitive.
A straightforward affair with simple controls.
Unsurprisingly, this straightforward affair has a simple control layout. Additionally, the responsive inputs ensure that you can navigate tight spaces and avoid every moving obstacle.
50 levels stand between you and ultimate glory. Furthermore, each stage has 3 stars to collect if you wish to perfect every level. As such, there is some replay value and longevity. However, with no NG+ mode or speedrun option, the developers missed a trick. Yet, it is inexpensive and will entertain you for around 3-4 hours.
Color Pals may not be perfect, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Color Pals is a basic indie game that doesn’t break the mould. However, I was addicted to its rudimentary approach and its wonderfully garish visuals. On top of this, the action is brilliantly moreish and occasionally cruel. Consequently, it is tough to put down and will often make you curse your luck. Accordingly, I enjoyed it despite some shortcomings. Therefore, I recommend that you buy it here! Can you overcome every obstacle and make it to the portal? Change your colour, grab the keys, avoid the spikes, and complete every level.
