Developer: Hipster Whale
Publisher: Hipster Whale
Platform: iPhone/iPad/Android, MAC, PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X/S
Tested on: Switch
Crossy Road Castle – Review
After 10 years, Hipster Whale finally delivers their answer to the eternal question: Why did the chicken cross the road? It did so to reach the Crossy Road Castle. Crossy Road Castle is the platformer sequel to the popular game Crossy Road and retains some of its beloved features. With procedurally generated levels for infinite replayability and simple controls, Hipster Whale makes a strong entry into the arcade platformer genre
Story
While arcade games aren’t known for deep storylines, and Crossy Road Castle doesn’t have much to build on from its predecessor, there are glimpses of a narrative in the set-dressing, such as the monsters and pictures in the Unihorse Castle. However, these stories don’t significantly impact gameplay, as the primary goal is climbing towers to achieve the highest score and complete your collection.
Graphics
Continuing the trend from Crossy Road, Crossy Road Castle features a simple, low-poly style. The cube-animals are back, and this time they are joined by a variety of enemies, hazards, boosts, and vibrant environments. The simplicity allows new mechanics and items to stand out, preventing the levels from feeling too crowded. Completing a tower displays a blocky pattern representing the number of floors climbed, with totem poles signifying the bosses defeated during the run.
Sound
The sound design in Crossy Road Castle is also amazingly well-executed! Each tower has a base tune that becomes more complex as you progress. Obstacles and boosts have their own unique sounds that blend nicely with the game’s music. While the towers feature more energetic tunes to keep you focused, the main menu has a softer, more relaxing melody, perfect for checking out your collection.
Gameplay
As a 2D platformer, the core gameplay of Crossy Road Castle involves moving left, right, and jumping. However, a hallmark of a good platformer is keeping players engaged beyond these basic controls. Hipster Whale achieves this by adding boosts that alter movement, such as spring cushions, moving platforms, clouds that lift you upward, and cannons that propel you forward. These elements enhance mobility and shine when combined with obstacles.
The first obstacle you’ll encounter is the exit door for each level, often positioned after a platform you can jump onto but not descend from. This means if you aim for full completion, you’ll occasionally need to take risks, trusting that where you drop won’t have spikes, as recklessly using boosts can lock you out of collecting coins and tokens. Another obstacle is the enemies, which vary by tower and have simple, predictable attack and movement patterns. Temporary walls are the final general obstacle, which can be torn down with switches or other methods tailored to their respective towers.
During levels, you collect coins and tokens. Coins can be used in two ways: to replenish hearts during runs for 100 coins per heart, or to roll the gachapon machine that gives you new characters, hats, stickers, and other collectibles for 500 coins per spin. Tokens are used exclusively for the gachapon machine and, though fewer are required per spin, they are rarer and often trickier to obtain in the towers. Managing your hearts is crucial: you start with three, and losing them all results in a game over. When you lose a heart, you must restart the room, losing any coins and tokens collected there.
The procedurally generated towers ensure that no two runs are the same, but this can also lead to unexpected difficulty spikes. Fortunately, attentive players can overcome even the tougher levels. The towers don’t end, but they still provide a sense of progression by introducing new mechanics and interrupting regular rooms with boss fights. A standout feature is that once you unlock a new mechanic, it’s available in future runs, even in the first room, avoiding the frustration of having to climb a certain number of floors before encountering it again.
You don’t have to play alone as Crossy Road Castle offers both online challenges and co-op functions, allowing you to showcase your skills to other players and friends. The game caters to everyone: collectors, achievers, socializers, and competitive players. The co-op feature includes crossplay, letting you connect with friends and other players across all platforms.
Conclusion
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