Developer: Monster Couch
Publisher: Monster Couch
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch
Tested on: Switch
Tetsumo Party – Review
If you think about Japan, thoughts like anime, games, manga or sushi will come to mind but there is another national treasure that some people tend to forget: Sumo wrestling. These battles are always something to witness, where they have to take up arms against each other in the ring. But what if you would put them against a different opponent, like a wall? Find out in Tetsumo Party.
Story
Tetsumo Party is based on Japanese tv shows where the contestants have to pass through several holes in a wall in an attempt to win the game. This title doesn’t have any storyline, except the possibilities to see sumo wrestlers in several funny stances. It would have been nice if there was some kind of story mode or different kinds of levels, as it would give the game a tad more depth.
Graphics
Although the graphics might seem simple at the start, there is more than meets the eye. The differences between the several playable characters are sometimes rather small while other times you’ll get a full-blown new toon for you to discover. The sumo wrestlers look more like pixelated balloons with weird sausage arms, but it’s the environments that do the trick. Every time you go into the party zone, the backdrops are altered and you’re teleported to a whole new environment. Each has its specific feeling and small details, making it special and gorgeous to watch.
Sound
What else can you expect from a Japanese tinted game than similar-sounding tunes? The main menus are guided by different kinds of sweet Asian tunes, which surely helps to get totally in this crazy game. But, when you get into the actual level, all music stops and there is just dead silence. This certainly helps to create the right suspense… until the sound effects start. If you didn’t hear them during the main menus, you can’t miss them now. It’s so funny and well-found that you’ll be smiling the whole time. High-pitched oohs and aahs will fly around your ears, while a more heavy voice with an Asian accent will do the announcements. There is so much more to discover in this game, like the grunts the character makes when doing a full split, but the sound effects take the game to the next level.
Gameplay
Tetsumo Party is a puzzle game with party elements where you have to beat the wall alone or in co-op while putting your sumo wrestler in a variety of different positions. On the Switch, the only buttons you need are the triggers and bumpers of the controllers and you’re good to go. Before diving into the action, you can test each stance and the rotation of the movements. When you’re confident enough, the floor is yours and you have to survive as long as you can.
At the start, the wall is rather slow so you have time to adjust and get your character in the perfect position. Of course, time speeds up and the wall will come faster and faster at you, giving you that extra bit of stress when you try to get that left leg in the correct place for example. Whenever you are hit, it’s game over and you have to start over from scratch. Passing through a wall will give you 1 point, which is important for some of the achievements per character. If you’re feeling confident, you can also press the A button and the wall will come faster for you, giving you more points.
During the level, a servant appears with some sushi, drinks or a watch. It’s your choice if you want to grab that or not, as you need to alter your movements to grab it from the hand of the assistant. Sushi will count until after the level, as you need to collect this to unlock other characters, while the green tea will make the walls move faster although you’re able to dash through. A watch will, as you can imagine, give you more time.
Each wrestler has 3 achievements to unlock, going from collecting points or passing through a certain amount of walls to obtaining an amount of green tea. There isn’t much more to it, but it’s a nice addition for PS4 and Xbox One as they resemble trophies/achievements there.
Tetsumo Party does not have much more to offer for single players, but there is always the local co-op or battle mode. If you have multiple controllers, you can start to work together or to take up arms in teams and battle against each other. In this type of game mode, there are three lives, so it’s easier to survive a tad longer than normal.
Conclusion
Japanese tv shows sometimes have the craziest ideas and now you can experience it yourself in Tetsumo Party. Tackle the walls alone or get some friends over for help or some more competition. The graphics will take you by surprise while the sound effects help with the fun aspect of the game. If you’re not a fan of puzzle games, this title might not be the best choice as it’s mostly skill-based, but it’ll certainly give you joy when tackling it together during a game night. The down-side is that the game doesn’t offer that much for single players, except unlocking other characters and achievements.
Tetsumo Party - Review,
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