Slime-san Review
Release Date: Auguest 3, 2017
Platform(s): PC, Nintendo Switch (Reviewed)
Developer: Fabraz
Price: 11.99
Slime-san is a simple, yet very difficult platformer where each single-screen level consists of four very unique stages, which constantly change in mechanics and available tools to use. Players control a green glob of slime and have less than a handful of moves to help guide him/her/it through the levels, a standard jump, a dash move and a phase move. Each level is contains items that are one of three colors, green, red and white. White is the main surfaces of the level, which are nothing special. Anything red kills you immediately. Green can be used by Slime-san in many ways. A green block can be used as a standard platform, but using phase allows Slime-san to pass through these blocks, which I will get into further detail below. There is also a level timer that ticks away as you try to get through the stages. As the timer runs out, the level will fill up with red slime from the outside in. Touch this red slime and you are done. Players must use the different elements around the levels, along with these moves, in order to pass. The dash move is exactly that; Slime-san dashes in the direction you’re pointing, whether in the air or on the ground to cover distance quickly. It takes a little bit of practice, but It’s great for getting into tight spaces, and when coupled with the wall-jump it allows Slime-san to go pretty much anywhere. Slime-san’s other ability is a phase move, which allows him to pass through anything green. You are able to use both abilities at once as well, which can be helpful for getting through a green block and is surrounded by red block on both sides of it, which can be pretty tough. Phasing also slows down the level, but not the level timer. The level timer is still ticking away at standard speed but everything is moving more slowly.
The gameplay in Slime-san is great. Controls feel very nice and fluid, which is necessary in a platformer that requires this much precision. The game is difficult from the beginning, but the further along you get, the more mechanics you run into and the higher the difficulty gets. For example, shortly into the game you learn a dash move that is used to push or break blocks. It seems like a new mechanic is introduced every couple of levels, which keeps the game interesting. I have even managed to find a secret exit or two along the way, which get you special coins to use in the Arcade.
While the main game contains a lot of content, there’s also a huge amount of extras in what is called Slumptown. The little town of Slumptown provides a couple of areas to visit which contain creatures that sell all sorts of things, such as extra characters, each with their own traits, and clothing items for Slime-san.. There’s also an arcade with a selection of games. Slumptown is fairly expansive, with five main areas plus a few offshoots to explore, and the secret exits from the main levels add more characters to it's population.
The coins I mentioned earlier are only for the arcade, everything else costs apples. Each area in a level has an apple in it somewhere. These apples are not hidden, but can be hard to reach. I’ve found myself wanting to get the apples on each stage and have died multiple times because of this. There are times I could have easily cleared the level without getting the apples, but for some reason I didn’t want to clear a stage without that dang apple.
Speaking of dying, which happens a lot, Slime-san has infinite lives. When you die, you instantly spawn back at the screen’s start, not the beginning of the level. There is literally no noticeable loading when the stage is resetting after dying, and yes you lose the apple if you die after reaching it on that stage.
Slime-san is very trick, challenging and unique platformer that demands quick fingers and perfect timing. Sometimes the difficulty can be a little frustrating, but it’s usually in a good way. Slime-san is also a great game to pick up and play in short bursts. The graphics are definitely nothing special, which may be my only drawback. A game like this does not need great graphics, but I think it would be pretty cool to play this game with better visuals.
A special thank you to Fabraz for providing The Gamer’s Lounge with a review copy. This review is for the Nintendo Switch version of Slime-san.
Pros
Controls and gameplay is very polished and smooth.
Lots and lots of contents, both in main story and extras.
Challenging enough to make you want to play more.
Cons
Graphics are not the best.
Can be a little too difficult at times, which gets frustrating.