Mini Knight’s Journey

"Mini Knight's Journey" is one of those games that remind you of why you should be playing more indie games! It's a lot of fun with the right amount of difficulty. I would love to see more like it!
You follow two brothers on their journey to beat the school bullies. Of course, you can do that either with your sword (Mini Knight) or with a gun (Mini Bond). It reminded me of early school years that kids played by creating scenarios of being knights or cowboys and bandits. Generally you get the feeling of kids playing as your fantasy world is using white lines and the more transparent background images portray the "adult" world were a mall is just a mall... A small detail that I personally liked, was upon the death of an enemy that you can see a kid popping out as if it was masqueraded. It's very nostalgic.
You have a basic attack that's infinite and a magical attack that has limited uses but it can be recharged on occasion. You can also dash with time limited intervals, the jump is single - there is no double jump, and you can change your magical attack when you find a box (it works like a power-up and you can only be using one at a time). It has a variety of enemies with different attacks and great level design that utilizes a lot of mechanisms (from ropes to small and big jumpers, to hidden passages, to breakable walls, unlockable doors and out of the screen areas, to obscuring the area with clouds and many more). At times, you can take different routes! You will unlock an extra mode after beating the game, which will be challenging but it adds replayability to the game and it will bring you closer to how these games used to feel! In the main game, dying isn't so punishing but your score will take a beating. It was refreshing to see the score being used in this fashion.
There are five thematic worlds. Within a world there are checkpoints that are usually in fair distance from one another. Of course, the heart health system couldn't be absent from such a game! There is also a level up system that improves your character and your power-ups as well. At the end of each world, you'll be facing a boss. Yes, it's linear, but then again it's an action platformer, not an rpg^^
It's around two hours long. Although, it will keep you busy much longer than that. The soundtrack is amazing and varies between worlds.
I want to see more games like this! Highly recommended!
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Charm. You got it or you ain't. This game got it. Generous learning curve, which is necessary because it starts to get rather difficult as of World 3. Another developer to keep a very close eye on...

Mini Knight's Journey is a cute little mono-color platformer that is quite competent for this developer's first outing. It isn't trying to reinvent the genre, but what it does, it does proficiently.
Gameplay/Controls: The game controls a bit sluggish, but not necessarily in a bad way. Enemies are few, but take several hits to kill. This leads to a hit/retreat/hit again strategy that was very reminiscent of the classics. When you die (you will definitely die a lot), it doesn't send you back to the start of the level, even if you run out of lives. I'm wondering why the mechanic of lives is even in the game, since it doesn't seem to matter.
Graphics: The developer is certainly going for a certain aesthetic here. Honestly, the Atari 2600 look isn't my cup of tea, but I know a lot of people like it. Personally, I would have liked to have seen a bit more detail in the sprites.
Level Design: The levels contain a good mix of combat and platforming sections. It introduces new stage design elements slowly so that you don't feel like you got cheated. The levels can be completed in about 5-10 minutes apiece, depending on your skill level. The boss fights each took me probably 3 tries on average to beat, which felt just about right.
Music: I was very pleasantly surprised by the music in this game. Typically games with this art style tend to be a bit minimalist with the music, but this game went with an NES sound. The music is quite competently composed and fit the vibe of the game very well. The boss battle music is probably the standout track.
Mechanics: Besides your main attack, you can get a special attack (similar to Castlevania) that costs mana to use. There are I think 4 (?) special attacks in total, and each one has its uses throughout the game. The developer did a good job of varying the level design to where all special attacks are useful in certain cases. I do wish, however, there was a way to power up your main attack. Both the sword and the gun feel a bit short-ranged.
Price: At $3.39, this game is an absolute steal. I beat the game in about two and a half hours, and I feel very satisfied for what I paid for it.
Overall, this game is definitely worth a pickup if you're a fan of retro-styled action platformers. I'm looking forward to seeing what this developer puts out next!
Score: 7.5/10