Satire is a rarity found in the gaming space. If done correctly, it can convey some of the most memorable dialogue in gaming due to its uncommon nature within the medium. Using a platform to disguise an agenda, and create a comical illustration of the status-quo is generally labeled a PR disaster, waiting to happen. However SuperEpic: The Entertainment War, delivers a genuine parody of complete happenstance, and does an incredible job at highlighting some ill mannered, malpractice within the modern digital age; namely our current gaming climate. Sure it could be perceived as one big meme, the whole “lootbox” and “pay-to-win” problem that causes some level of debauchery and corporate greed, but I believe Undercoders handle this lampoon caricature with style.
I was certainly awestruck and engaged by some of the dialogue’s outlandish, yet irrefutable banter. The title’s message is made quite clear that corporate greed will tarnish any mediums legacy. The gaming space has been clamoring for an end to paywalls on existing items that are already pre-installed within title’s. Its become a commonplace for large developers and publishers to comfortably impose these “features”. SuperEpic’s controversial criticism takes the high road, and delivers their message with good intentions. Sure there are some light jabs thrown, but its all in the sake of good comedy – something we all desperately need right now.
When Pigs Fly...
SuperEpic takes us to the year 2084. A dystopian future, ruled by money laundering, suit wearing, yes …men? yes pigs? who abrogate the standard way of living, in favour of an 8-bit minefield of microtransactions. Regnantcorp, a video game development company indoctrinates society and implements their devious blueprint that completely brainwashes the masses into continuously purchasing additional features to their games. While the dastardly developers take a stronghold to the population, one brave soul decides to rise up, and overthrow the evil corporation. Along with an underground militia, guided by his mighty steed the daring duo scale the titan towers of Ragnantcorp. Who are our courageous couple you may ask? Tan Tan a raccoon, and his llama, Ola. Yes, you play as a raccoon, riding a llama, saving the world. If that’s not outrageous, then I don’t what is.
Tan Tan and Ola attempt to down the menacing monopoly of malevolent management, by scaling through each section of the building. Inspired by traditional Metroidvania mapping, there will be instances where many puzzles that may shake-up the entire gameplay loop. In general, its maze-like interior will seem quite straightforward, but its bountiful bastion of baddies will be the ultimate obstruction to overcome. Equipped with his trusty croquet, Tan Tan clobbers the competition in a flurry of furry fury. There are a myriad of baddies you will encounter on your crusade that range in difficulty. You won’t see any sudden spikes that will impede your progress, but will challenge you to change up your strategy in sporadic standpoints. Using your mallet to engage in battle, your offensive repertoire includes an uppercut, a downward smash, and side attack.
As you progress, you will unlock more features to add to your arsenal, allowing players to initialise a little more strategy to their technique. This opens the door to the gameplay’s incredible combo system, that allows the player to juggle their way through multiple enemies. With an acknowledgement made towards the legendary Super Mario franchise, defeating your foes will allow you to bank coins. SuperEpic’s vital currency system allows players to attain new weapons, potions, and other upgrades. This is an obvious jab to the entire “pay-to-win” scheme with players spending their earned dollars in-game to obtain new features. The title’s commentary systemically pinpoints the industry’s debacle and deluge over traditional means of unlocking features in contrast of monetary means.
Sinfully Super...
With an old school aesthetic that runs rampant right through the entire campaign, its enticing amalgamation of old school presentation meets newfound mechanics delivers a pleasurable playthrough. The short campaign will run you roughly 7-8 hours of non-stop satirical savagery. I howled the entire way through, enjoying each snarky remark made by each character. Sure, the title does try to promulgate its own political statement, but its decree does not deter you from ultimately enjoying its wacky universe, and facetious farce in narrative. The overall Metroidvania level design is revolutionary in its category. There are many title’s out there that try to replicate the same aura delivered in the genre’s titular game, with the exception of the early Castlevania franchise no modern title has come this close to perfecting its integral design. A feat Undercoders should be proud of.
Each boss battle is a creative, and integrates many of the title’s core mechanics and gameplay loop into each encounter, making for a gratifying experience. SuperEpic’s fluid design, enriches the entire experience with smooth animations that bolsters an incredible battle system that goes hand in hand with its refined platforming. Understanding the key elements that make a perfect Metroidvania experience; formidable foes, benevolent bosses, and a base for backtracking, SuperEpic champions the genre’s traits and molds it into a modern masterpiece.
SuperEpic: The Entertainment War is marvelous. An accomplishment by a small indie studio, that does its business by disregarding the existing state of affairs, and ultimately taking pot-shots to the calamity and mistreatment gamers are served by major studios. Sure business is business, but standard practices are starting to overstep their own boundaries and rely on non-stop cash flow and corporate greed to enable ego and some profound pride. While the gaming community is seeing some slight resolve in the issue, SuperEpic serves swift justice in highlighting those who are still causing dastardly disarray in our beloved medium. We can’t change the world, but we can change its subjection. With a hilarious narrative, enjoyable adventure, exciting gameplay, and lovable cast of characters, SuperEpic is…. SuperEpic.
SuperEpic - Numskull Games
SuperEpic is a Metroidvania style action-adventure game, starring a raccoon and a llama in their quest to save an Orwellian society from the rule of an evil corporation. RegnantCorp is an enterprise which is controlling minds through abusive micro transactions.
AVAILABLE NOW ON:
.
9
