Regina & Mac is a retro-inspired journey platformer that’s made its solution to the Nintendo Swap after releasing on numerous different gadgets, together with the Wii U. That is nice information for style followers on the lookout for one thing to sink their enamel into earlier than having fun with Mario’s thirty fifth anniversary that was simply launched. I used to be a fan of the Wii U version earlier this yr; let’s see how the Swap model stacks up.
The time period “retro” is thrown round lots lately. On this case, Regina & Mac is a ’90s-inspired platformer, made to seem like a Nintendo 64 sport. It takes its cues from the likes of Mario 64 or, maybe extra aptly, Banjo-Kazooie.
You play the function of Regina, a cheeky macaw who finds herself atop a fairly quiet dinosaur, whom she dubs Mac. The obedient Mac appears comfortable to chauffeur our feathered good friend round as she seeks an exit from the land during which they’re trapped. Even the story is impressed by the previous – to unlock new ranges, the pair should uncover a sure variety of floppy discs, often discovered through the profitable completion of assorted platforming duties.
This platforming is the place Regina & Mac shines, with well-designed ranges. Every stage consists of a collection of puzzles which are enjoyable and difficult in equal quantities; they’re sufficient to journey you up with out being too irritating. It requires some skillful maneuvers, whether or not it’s timing your jumps throughout spinning blocks or shortly leaping throughout disappearing blocks. Different puzzles are thrown in for good measure, together with a Picross-style sport and one other involving switching squares on or off to finish a sample.
Every stage is somewhat world unto itself, and you’ll choose and select which puzzles you try till you may have sufficient discs to maneuver on. This provides you some sense of management and freedom, permitting you to stay in a stage (or return later) to attempt that difficult puzzle only one extra time, or proceed elsewhere. Completionists will discover it laborious to go away with out amassing completely all the things, however you’re free to maneuver on when you’ve made your quota.
The controls is usually a little fiddly at first, significantly with the default setting for motion. Some may like it, however I hated the up-is-down inverted controls. Fortunately, that is customizable and, as soon as this had been modified, it was a lot simpler to play. I respect the choice for players to play their very own manner, however I’m wondering if the default setting must be the opposite manner round?.
Considered one of my favourite elements of the sport is the dialogue. The story strikes alongside pretty shortly, with occasional banter between Regina and the pc interface that’s controlling the setting. The sunshine humor is sufficient to make you chuckle as our cheeky macaw does all of the speaking for the pair of protagonists, whereas her dinosaur transportation suffers in silence.
The graphics are quite simple. I discussed this in my Wii U evaluate, as it would put gamers off initially. I wish to have seen some extra enhancements within the Swap model, however once more, this can be a deliberate fashion alternative, making a blocky world of flat colours, paying homage to the early ’90s. It completely suits the invoice of an N64-era sport. Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie have been in a position to squeeze extra graphical prowess out of the restricted know-how of the time, however they have been additionally big-budget, first-party titles. As it’s, Regina & Mac continues to be price its $9.99 price ticket.
General, Regina & Mac is a artistic and difficult retro platformer. The Swap launch is nice information for retro-platforming followers, bringing this sport to a a lot wider viewers than the Wii U model might. The visuals are intentionally flat and blocky, however there’s much more beneath the floor, with nice dialogue and enjoyable platforming. It’s price trying out.
