Narita Boy
Can you wield the Techno–Sword?
Around $28 From Studio Koba, naritaboy-game.com
Needs macOS 10.14 or later
Some games try to disguise your role as world–saver, but not Narita Boy. You are the hero prophesized to deliver the believers from the arch–demon HIM and restore the memories of the Creator. The Digital Kingdom exists inside a Narita One games console designed by Pearl, given religious significance by its digital denizens.
The mystic religiosity takes place in a retro–futuristic land awash with neon lights and pixels. There is even a faux CRT filter you can apply for that extra 80s touch. This is a game that embraces its throwback feel and runs with it, and the results are downright breath–taking. We loved stumbling upon a techno–temple or exploring the Creator’s memory bank, torn asunder by HIM; the latter was one of the game’s highlights, a beautiful dream space that gradually explains the game’s story in a moving and highly rewarding way.
The superb visuals are complemented by a brilliant soundtrack, brimming with pulsing synths and driving beats. It is the perfect cyberpunk accompaniment that whisks you to the past and the future simultaneously.
It is a shame, then, that the level design cannot keep up. Narita Boy’s world is a maze of countless rooms that requires frequent backtracking. This would not be so bad if you were provided with a map, but there are no such indulgences here. Without it, you are never sure if your frequent back–pedaling is helping you towards your destination or merely getting you more and more lost in the labyrinth.
Combat is disappointing. Hacking and slashing is enjoyable at first, but it is far less so in later levels when you have to grapple with swarms of adversaries, all moving in different ways, that stop you getting into a rhythm. This is compounded by Narita
Boy’s irritating keyboard layout. Enemy attack patterns are predictable, even on the toughest foes, and while each boss requires different tactics, few are downright fun to beat. You will die a lot, which does not help lessen the game’s repetitiveness.
There are other issues. Your movement feels slippery, which is a problem when landing on a narrow platform sees you skidding and dropping to your death. And there are many names to remember, covering holy sites, artifacts, and more, so staying abreast of where to go, never mind the overarching lore, is hopeless.
If Narita Boy were a movie, with no interactive elements, it would be superb. But when you look beyond its audio–visual mastery the cracks begin to show. It is a game in desperate need of better level design and an improved control scheme for keyboard warriors.
THE BOTTOM LINE. A beautiful game that never reaches its potential. ALEX BLAKE
NARITA BOY
Phenomenally pretty
Excellent soundtrack
Far too repetitive
Combat is hit and miss
SOLID