What if there was a game so absurd and so funny that it was IMPERATIVE that all stoners try it?
Today we’re talking about a mix between the humor of Rick and Morty, the graphics of Super-Nintendo and the inventiveness of Binding of Isaac (one of the greatest independent games ever released, which we’ll also tell you about in a future issue).
88 Heroes is a 2D game with retro graphics available on all platforms. With an intriguing concept, you have 88 superheroes at your disposal to beat 88 Levels in 88 seconds.
Apart from the clearly obsessive side of the developers, it’s important to stress that the game is as chaotic as it sounds. On each level you have a “Hero” with powers that are more or less easy to control, randomly imposed on you. Hero is in quotation marks, because in reality you have a collection of characters, each more dysfunctional than the last, as the game’s slogan says: “We called the best. The best were busy.” Of course it’s extremely easy to die… and it’s always rather fun.
Why play it high: Ever dreamed of exterminating Aliens with a Goose? Of using a ladder to simply avoid an enemy in a game? Or perhaps of playing as Rick Astley? (You can find him here if you’ve been living under a rock :
If you answered yes… You’re a strange person and you’re going to love the game. Either way, it’s an experience not to be missed.
The game is single-player, but it’s hilarious to play in pairs, so you can make fun of your buddy while you roll the next joint. Controls change with each character, so it’s a particularly tough challenge if you’re completely blown away. Beware, however, that each level is timed, so it’s vital to find each level well, but to do it quickly. Colorful graphics and high-quality pixel art make the game a visual delight. An amusing detail: you play each level from the villain’s point of view, and follow the progress of your characters with him.
The game’s trailer is here:
Another, less frenetic game mode is also present: H8, in which you can choose your characters, but must survive the 8 much more imposing levels. These levels will test your nerves to the limit, with a large number of deadly traps reminiscent of the designs found in the old Megaman games, of which this is an example:
It’s also possible to redo the game with just 8 characters in The Magnificent 8 mode, which is simply a “Difficult” mode.
The last word: If the game can easily seem frustrating, you have to overcome your permanent need for gratification to really appreciate it. If you accept a good number of atrocious endings, it’s a real success.
The game requires reflexes, a little common sense, a lot of practice and, above all, a lot of humor. At the time of writing, I’ve never gone beyond level 45… The suspense is at its height.
Mike Teeve
