Developer: PolyCrunch Games
Publisher: Firestoke
Platform: PC, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One
Tested on: PC
Falling Out – Review
A lot of people dream of seeing the pyramids of Egypt, but getting stuck within a maze of vengeful mummies and dangerous death traps probably isn’t on their bucket list. The main characters of Falling Out regrettably can’t have one without the other. This roguelite platformer was made by PolyCrunch Games and promises a humorous, relaxed experience for those who don’t want to take their gaming sessions too seriously. Despite this, the game has quite a learning curve. It’s worth it for all the potential fun you could have!
Story
During the opening cutscene, we’re introduced to a lovely married couple, Giorgio and Felicie. The couple wins a free second honeymoon. All expenses are paid for and thus the two decide to literally take the same trip they took to celebrate their wedding: travel to Egypt to visit the pyramids. While there, their own stupidity causes them to lose their tour guide while inside one of those ancient tombs, and the couple wanders around until they accidentally call an evil curse down upon themselves. Escaping the pyramid will require teamwork and quick thinking, but surely their love can conquer anything?
There’s not a very deep narrative to explore in Falling Out, but it’s a funny little setup and the dynamic of the couple is established in only a minute or two.
Graphics
Falling Out looks pretty good. The game has a pixelated art style reminiscent of arcade machines. The silly graphics fit the overall atmosphere of a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Despite every level technically being just another floor of the pyramid, the designers did not underperform in diversity. You can expect everything from the classical desert aesthetic to levels that look like the snowy arctic. The way the colors pop off the screen but never become so contrasting as to be an eyesore is appreciated.
Sound
The retro vibes are also present in the sound design, just as they were in the graphics. Especially the sound effects have a distinct retro-inspired touch. Even simple acts such as picking up coins and jumping come with a little audio cue that’s guaranteed to give you a hint of nostalgia and it all blends together very well with an excellent soundtrack that doesn’t bore even after hours of play. Sadly the same can’t be said for the ‘voice acting’, though it’s more of an Animal Crossing-style gibberish. Aside from the rare exclamation (Giorgio has a concerning tendency to say “mama mia!” in a probably fake Italian accent), the characters talk as if they’re text-to-speech generators played backward. This becomes annoying quickly. Thankfully the game’s plot is not the main reason to play this game.
Gameplay
Falling Out is a roguelite platformer that seems to be geared more toward co-op play, though you can certainly tackle it alone if you’re adventurous enough. The game allows you to play completely by yourself, with an AI filling up the slot of your partner, or in local co-op with a friend or family member. A special versus mode is also available. In all the not-versus modes, the goal of the game remains the same: make your way through the pyramid level by level, while you encounter increasing danger as you go. What’s fun about this game is that the levels are randomly generated, but only once every twenty-four hours. This means that on each given day, all the players are tackling the same levels. It does create a sense of camaraderie, as other players are going through the same levels as you are.
To make your way through the pyramid you’ll have to get good at quick platforming. Your character can double jump, wall climb, and run their way through the various traps these tombs are rigged with. Sometimes evading traps means being clever too. For example, if they’re activated with buttons, you can put rocks down on the tripwire. If you’re playing together, you need to help each other out. This can be done by helping each other climb obstacles or by throwing your partner at things. It’s all up to you. When playing with AI, you can whistle to get the other character to walk over to you. It’s decent in a pinch, though the computer isn’t really smart enough to be very helpful in more advanced levels and will sometimes allow themselves to be hit by traps or enemies.
Speaking of: there are plenty of enemies in the pyramid. Some of them can be defeated by the good old jump-on-their-head trick or by throwing an item at them. Later on, you might want to invest in weaponry to get by tougher foes. You can buy these at the shop you’ll encounter, where you can also get health potions and other fun trinkets. Or you can buy blueprints and then find crafting materials across the level itself, allowing you to build something in a pinch. The shop also has a camel bank for you to store money, so you won’t lose too many coins upon each hit.
The game has a learning curve that can’t be underestimated. There’s a lot of multitasking that goes into this experience, especially when you play alone. Add to this a time limit (if you take too long on a level, it starts to flood with water) and you’re going to have a challenge either way. It’s kind of sad the game doesn’t have online multiplayer, as that would be a fun addition.
Conclusion
Falling Out is a great time, alone or with friends, though we recommend grabbing a partner for this honeymoon adventure. The ever-changing pyramid keeps you coming back for more. If you don’t mind some trial and error, patience rewards you with great leaderboard scores, which creates a bit of replayability. With its only drawback being that your friend has to be in the same room with you to enjoy the experience, there’s still more than enough incentive to buy this game in our opinion.
Falling Out - Review,
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