kuso Demo

Even the simplest platformers can be addictive and enjoyable if they feature the right mixture of gameplay mechanics, but everything has to work as intended in order for the players to have fun. It’s one thing for the game to be difficult, but it’s a whole different thing if the difficulty stems from the awkward controls or badly designed mechanics, because frustration kicks in quite quickly.

kuso is a 2D platformer with retro graphics and simple gameplay mechanics that challenges you with well-designed levels full of traps and difficult jumps. There are no innovative ideas at work, but it’s always nice to re-live the golden age of platformers, even if you do it on a 27” screen. The challenge is just as exciting as you remember, so rage quits are still part of the deal.

To begin with, the game is a sequel to LOVE, so it features many of the same ideas and a similar visual style. In fact, there are some LOVE levels included in the game, as well as a few new mechanics to make the experience more enjoyable. In short, the goal is to make it to the end of each stage by jumping over gaps and avoiding all the other traps that try to stop you.

One of the interesting features comes in the form of checkpoints that can be manually placed wherever you want, although it has to be a solid surface in order for them to work properly. This allows you to save before difficult jumps and make sure you do not have to restart the whole level if you happen to make a mistake. You can also try speedrun modes and put your skills to the test.

As mentioned before, the graphics are as basic as possible, since they feature only simple 8-bit colors and retro level design. This should work wonders for your nostalgia, on the other hand, especially since the artwork is actually quite enjoyable. The music hits the right spot as well, even if it tends to get a bit repetitive if you play for too long.

When it’s all said and done, kuso is mostly aimed at those who want a challenge and do not really care about visuals, although the retro graphics are not bad at all. Hence, it’s not a game for everyone, but it should find a decent fan base for itself.