There are new indie games coming out every day. But today we got our hands on something interesting: Grapple Dog. It’s a 2D platformer game where you try to save the world from an evil robot using a grappling hook. You travel on a boat to different lands/regions to collect artifacts before the robot does. Because all the artifacts (A telephone, battery, CD disc, and a lightbulb) combined have the power to destroy the world. It’s time to get swinging in our Grapple Dog review!
- Game given by publisher
- Platform: PC
- Hours played: 4-5
Graphics
The first thing you see when launching the game is pixel-art graphics. The style is simple but colorful and detailed. It’s not just objects like walls, mechanisms, and enemies that are well detailed but also backgrounds and cutscenes. Cutscenes and level backgrounds are animated with a lot of particles and complement the overall aesthetic, of whichever environment you are in, flawlessly. The game even has a reactive environment like dandelions or birds. There isn’t much more to say about the visuals except for: they are pleasing to look at.
However, some of the screens looked a bit stretched out as if they weren’t made for my 1080p screen. This could be the case since the game is also available on Nintendo Switch. But it’s not that big of a deal as those screens do not appear so often.
Gameplay
There are four main types of game modes that you will encounter in Grapple Dog: Classic levels, Time Trials, Secret Levels, and Boss Fights. The map is a sea that you can sail on your boat from level to level similar to the Undercooked series. There is an option of fast travel between lands and you can enter the boat itself if you want to speak to different characters or play an arcade minigame.
Note: There are accessibility settings that grant infinite jumps and lives. This section of the review does not consider that and is based purely on standard experience.
Classic Levels
A regular level in Grapple Dog makes you go from point A to point B while avoiding (or destroying) obstacles and enemies. The main tool in this game is a grappling hook. Which made traversing through each level way more epic once I got the hang of simple controls. To keep gameplay diverse, the game introduces new mechanics every few levels. And surprisingly, I can’t say that the game became oversaturated with those at any point.
There is no time limit or a specific requirement to complete a level. As long as you get until the end, you are fine. Although to unlock a new region you need a certain amount of gems. Gems are collectibles that are hidden on each level. Some of them are in secret places, others in not-so-secret. In any case, this feature made me actually explore the levels instead of mindlessly running through them.
There were some things that annoyed the hell out of me. For example, the cannons that launch you. You can’t get out of them. And many times I would notice the secret passage right when I jump in the cannon. My simple solution was: “well, I’ll just head back from wherever the cannon launches me”. However, in most of my cases, the cannon will appear to be a chain of cannons that will send me to the area with a checkpoint and no way back.
Unfortunately, there were a few more level design aspects that I would call “uncomfortable” at the least. Barely reachable objects, or jumps that can be performed from the very edge of a platform. Attack radius can cost you a few lives too. Sometimes I can’t be sure if I will damage the enemy when attacking up close. Not sure if all that was supposed to increase the difficulty or if I’m just bad at the game but it was a bit frustrating to deal with.
Time Trials
This is the mode where mindless running is highly welcomed. Time trials are the same Classic Levels but with a timer. Nothing too special, run fast and score gold, silver, bronze, or nothing.
Secret Levels
On some Classic Levels, there are blue tokens that unlock a new level on the map. Those are pretty much minigames. Objectives vary from collecting all the shards in a certain time, defeating all the enemies, to running across the level. A nice distraction from the Classic Levels.
Boss Fights
I didn’t play all the Boss Fights in the game (only the first one) but the concept is that you run while using the surroundings to deal damage to the Boss chasing you. It is a great idea and I’m happy that I could fight back the giant robo-dinosaur. The first fight wasn’t any difficult but that’s probably due to the absence of checkpoints on the level. If you die, you start all over.
Sound and Music
Sound effects and ambiance were made on the same level as graphics. I was left very satisfied especially because of a separate ambiance sound setting. This means I can switch off all the sounds and listen to the sound of waves while playing the game.
Music is a mix of electropop and 8-bit arcade music. And I can assure you, it’s a great combination. It’s fast, energetic, and definitely not something you’ve heard before. For the first hour of playing my music was turned on to the max. But it got repetitive very quickly. For every region, there is only one separate track for each game mode. And I ended up turning it off and listening to the ambiance instead.
Fun Factor
The game is very fun for short gaming sessions. You can spend 20-30 minutes playing it in between your work/studies, then get back to it after and it will be as fun as it was before. When playing for a longer time multiple factors started affecting the amount of fun I was having. That includes the repetitive music that I had to turn off to find a replacement myself (or just enjoy ambiance) and the built-up frustration from certain level elements.
But one setting saved the day. Or two to be precise. In “Accessibility” there are settings enabling infinite lives and jumps. This is an easy way out but it’s also perfect for those who just want to have a good time playing. Don’t worry we are not going to judge you for using it.
Final Review
Grapple Dog is a nice time killer that will serve you well on a train on your Nintendo Switch or in between studying sessions at home on PC. If you are a relaxed and patient gamer this game might be a good pick for you. Grapple Dog offers a challenge, detailed world, diverse levels, and a more or less explorative experience the platformer can potentially offer. And if you are not a fan of sweating, there are god mode settings allowing you to relax and keeping you occupied until you need to get back to work.
