Last Dance: Tokobot Plus: Mysteries Of The Karakuri
When I think about games that couldn't find the release it needed to be successful, plenty of games come to mind. But when I think about games that couldn't find the release it needed after three different releases the subject of this week's Last Dance immediately springs to mind. We've seen it released over the PSP on a UMD, an expanded version on the PS2, and recently saw it reappear on the PSN store as a downloadable game for PSP. While it's great that the game has received the chances that so many other games don't get, it's still sad to see it not capture a larger following or spawn enough interest in a real sequel that it really deserves. While Tokobot Plus: Mysteries of the Karakuri is something of a mixed bag in terms of execution, the game recalls a simpler, tighter era to game design ultimately resulting in a very unique experience. Playing with a solid foundation of platforming that has more in common with classics of the NES than it's PS2 counterparts, it's easy to see just where this game could have gone if it got the chance to spread it's wings just a little bit more.
Hit the jump to explore the ruins of the PSP's launch window library!
When the PSP first launched it had plenty of promising games, but nothing to convince me to pick up pricey handheld. Wipeout Pure looked pretty, but played just like every other Wipeout. Lumines was creative, but didn't stay with me after playing it on a friend's borrowed PSP. The less said about Metal Gear Ac!d the better. However, shortly after launch, the original Tokobot was the first game to really sell me on a PSP. Unfortunately due to some nasty bills, I would have to wait for the PS2 budget re-release of the game to be able to enjoy first hand. The months of waiting were hard but well worth it. The PS2 release would feature a few minor tweaks, control changes and secrets to flesh things out a bit. Everything in Tokobot Plus from its art direction, gameplay, and interactions screams for the attention of retro games of my ilk. The game centers on a simple core design concept, uses a streamlined control scheme, and uses an anime art style that could be easily transplanted into the 8-bit dimension.
While the art style may be a matter of personal taste, I think that anyone interested in finding a different kind of platform or puzzle game will be immediately drawn into the game's deceptively simple premise. In the game you play as Bolt, a rookie treasure hunter that goes on outings with a handful of multi-purposed Tokobots that he recently discovered on a mission. With simple commands, Bolt is able to order the cute little robots into Joint Actions that arrange them to form a makeshift ladder, attack enemies, and use items found in the environments. These basic controls are easy to pick up and allow the player to slide into the role of Bolt quickly.
While there is a story to be told here, the real meat of the game comes in the forms of puzzles that you'll run into. While consistently toying with the balance between puzzle and platforming throughout the game, the challenges that the player faces will most often fall somewhere between the strategic combat of Pikmin and environment based puzzle design of Adventures of Lolo. While Bolt explores ruins for hidden treasures, finding unique uses for his surroundings will help him progress. In between each of these puzzle sequences are some finely tuned running and jumping sequences that will put your Tokobots to the test. While each level finds its own balance between action and puzzle elements, combat remains accessible and forgiving throughout. Each level continues to present the player with a gentle difficulty curve, but rarely makes the player feel overwhelmed. Given the more puzzle-heavy design of enemies that appear later in the game, the slower pace is extremely welcome.
Whether playing this game on a handheld or from the comfort of your home console, this is a quirky little title that's worth your attention. There are a few imperfections here and there (camera is a little wonky at times and the visuals show their handheld origins), but the core of Tokobot Plus is a rock solid combination simple design and just the right amount of challenge.
Game-Boy
Posted to Video Games on 14 January 2009
· Comments (2)
Other stuff like this: last dance, ps2, psp, tecmo, tokobot
I got this game and there were significant things mentioned in the instruction book ABSENT from the game. I eventually sold it because several of the Tokobot transformations weren't available in the game, and what's more is that none of them were even controllable. A huge disappointment. I wrote to Tecmo customer support but never got a reply.
the PSP version of this title was killed by the controls and the camera. at least it sounds like they worked to fix the controls in the PS2 release.