How To Slay Your Dragon
Looking for a fun platformer with an interesting twist and bursts of colour with a Dark Souls level of difficulty? I think I have found the perfect game for you. EarthNight is from Cleaversoft studios and is available on Switch, PS4, Xbox One and Apple Arcade. The auto run level system allows for quick bursts of fun action that enhance the replay value of this gem. The artwork is incredibly beautiful with some well detailed 2D graphics that combine with some addictive music tracks that keep you coming back for more.
You play as one of 2 characters, Stanley or Sydney. Each character has their own different moves and both have advantages and disadvantages. You can jump longer with one over the other’s double jump ability. You leap into each procedural generated level by falling onto the back of a dragon. From here you have to time jumps and dash’s while making your way to the head of the dragon. Timed jumps also include reaching power ups and collectables along each level which are definitely made easier with Sydney’s double jump. Stanley does have a strong sword which makes it easier for the end of the level when you have to cut off the head of the dragon.
There are also enemies along the way that you can chain together to gain back from precious health that you definitely need to get to the end of the level. Once you reach the end of the level it isn’t all staby staby and you’re done, there is a unrelenting time factor to get the job done and this is where Stanley comes into play. Stanley’s sword is stronger and much easier to destroy the dragon with. I found playing as Sydney first to get all the collectable stuff and then use these items to get past some really difficult areas as Stanley. It is a great way to get a couple of playthrough’s of the title in and this brings me to the many times I have played this on both Apple Arcade and the Nintendo Switch. The Switch was great to pick up and jump into short bursts on the go, the Apple Arcade version has been a way for my household to experience this game and see who can clear the level quickest and with what character. They have been two incredibly unique and enjoyable experiences.
The hand drawn 2D and 3D graphics looks absolutely spectacular on both platforms I have played on. In particular the colours on Apple Arcade are complimented by the big screen and the 4K display on Apple TV. The Switch is where the music and sound effects really popped. It did also provide the mobile experience that allowed me to really fall in love with this game. I thought the difficulty may have been due to the controllers I was using, however after mixing things up it really is the difficulty of the game that made it hard and it mixed the balance perfectly to keep me coming back, determined to beat it.
EarthNight is a great start to the year with some addictive gameplay that does its best to challenge you. The animation and graphics are rich in detail and herald back to great titles of this genre’s past with a HD update. This is also complimented by the music and sound effects. I don’t think I have ever said this about a running platformer before, however this game really elevates the title to something that resembles art in video games. EarthNight is now available on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Apple Arcade.
