A casual adventure full of nostalgia that encourages us to rediscover our childhood through two friends of arms take.
Knights and Bikes finally arrives at Nintendo Switch after its debut last year on both PC and PS4, a casual cooperative action adventure arising from the creative minds of Foam Sword, a study founded by former Media Molecule (LittleBigPlanet, Dreams) that They presented their idea through a successful Kickstarter campaign and, shortly after, ended up under the umbrella of Double Fine Productions. And is that the character of Knights and Bikes marries perfectly with the spirit of the company of Tim Schafer, a video game that enters through the eyes in the visual and that encourages us to accompany two friendly friends in search of adventures in a real torrent of imagination and fun. Coinciding with the launch of the port for the Grand N console, we analyze Knights and Bikes.
Friendship and fantastic adventures
The essential purpose of Knights and Bikes is to offer the player a light exploration adventure with certain concessions to action and direct flag fun, all from an elevated point of view, with a three-dimensional world built on two-dimensional elements, including the characters and the scenarios themselves. And it is that one of the most striking elements of the title of Foam Sword is its staging, especially for a totally handmade and hand-drawn graphic section, authentic canvases typical of the classic stories of our childhood, although with a particularly suggestive hipster touch . The premise is simple but effective; Two young girls, Nessa and Demelza, quickly establish a strong friendship after meeting in circumstances as peculiar as their own and accelerated start of the title.
Both protagonists decide to start a journey motivated by their own imagination, which we can face both alone and cooperatively, whether local or online, a feature that feels great to the version of Nintendo Switch; And it is that at any time we can lend one of the Joy-Con to another player to accompany us through the varied and happening scenarios of Knights and Bikes. Of course, despite its casual staging, the title goes further through a plot that is triggered by Demelza's desire to follow the adventurous steps of her deceased mother; In addition, with the search for a treasure he intends to avoid the eviction of the caravan park where he lives with his father.
However, the loneliest players will also be able to face the adventure without the company of another player, since the AI will control the other protagonist with enough solvency; Likewise, we can alternate between both protagonists at any time using a button, all to overcome certain challenges or confrontations by combining the skills of both. Thus, while Demelza equips some water boots with which to kick anyone who crosses his path, Nessa is committed to a kind of flying disc that facilitates distance combat.
Soon they will get new weapons and gadgets with which to face new challenges and challenges. In addition, both can combine their skills in a quite natural way, in addition to cycling through the different scenarios; a bicycle, by the way, that we can improve based on different components. All this to fulfill the different missions that will serve as a driving nexus for the development of the adventure itself, such as saving certain characters, ending so many threats, finding treasures … All under a marked prism of fantastic adventure, as if An interactive story will be discussed.
The game itself is not demanding at any time, all so that its development is as fluid and enjoyable as possible, especially suitable for casual players or even the smallest of the house. Although more experienced players will also find reasons to immerse themselves in the colorful world of the fictional island of Penfurzy, inspired by the eighty imagination of one of its creators. So much so, that we can move forward without too much trouble, both in the fighting and in the most varied exploration challenges and so on. In general it complies with what is assumed of a title of these characteristics, although sometimes it can be somewhat bland, especially in its first measures; Even so, it offers truly fun and enjoyable stretches.
On the other hand, the elevated chamber will play tricks on specific moments, not showing our character correctly or the way forward; Of course, its sound section is as attractive as its visual aspect, with very catchy melodies, very typical of the era in which it sets. There are no voices, although the texts, as we said at the beginning of the Reviews, arrive completely in English; A pity given the casual personality of the game and its constant chascarrillos that many can miss by not understanding certain expressions.
CONCLUSION
Knights and Bikes offers everything that is expected of a title sponsored by Double Fine and created by creative minds after games like Tearaway or LittleBigPlanet; a casual adventure based on the exploration and resolution of small but constant challenges, with the combat relegated to the background enhanced by the collaboration of both protagonists, whose formula feels wonderful to the cooperative concept, whether local or online. With a duration of between 6 and 8 hours, Foam Sword debuts with a fun and simple title, with an emotional story and a truly endearing and visually attractive staging, as if it were a lively story. Without being very deep in any playable aspect, Knights and Bikes ensures good moments at the controls, especially accompanied by another player.
THE BEST
- Very attractive graphic section
- Fun and endearing story
- Cooperative with a lot of potential
WORST
- Shallow Mechanics
- Somewhat repetitive development
- Low difficulty, even playing alone
Good
It meets the expectations of what a good game is, it has quality and does not present serious failures, although it lacks elements that could have taken it to higher levels.
