by Brian LeTendre
Back in 2011, I reviewed a very interesting iOS RPG from developer The Game Bakers called Squids (you can red the review here). In Squids, the developers took inspiration from turn-based RPGs and added their own unique approach to controls, classes and character upgrades that made Squids stand out from most other handheld RPGs.
This week, the latest game from The Game Bakers debuted on iOS and Android. Combo Crew takes its inspiration from late 1980s / early 1990s arcade brawlers, and much like they did with Squids, The Game Bakers took an innovative approach to controls and upgrades that results in a very addictive and entertaining experience.
From its story, soundtrack and level designs, Combo Crew definitely calls back to it’s roots. Even the character animations will have you thinking about Streets of Rage or any number of 2D fighters from back in the day. The game is both a love letter to--and a send up of--all the brawler conventions we grew up with.
Back in 2011, I reviewed a very interesting iOS RPG from developer The Game Bakers called Squids (you can red the review here). In Squids, the developers took inspiration from turn-based RPGs and added their own unique approach to controls, classes and character upgrades that made Squids stand out from most other handheld RPGs.
This week, the latest game from The Game Bakers debuted on iOS and Android. Combo Crew takes its inspiration from late 1980s / early 1990s arcade brawlers, and much like they did with Squids, The Game Bakers took an innovative approach to controls and upgrades that results in a very addictive and entertaining experience.
From its story, soundtrack and level designs, Combo Crew definitely calls back to it’s roots. Even the character animations will have you thinking about Streets of Rage or any number of 2D fighters from back in the day. The game is both a love letter to--and a send up of--all the brawler conventions we grew up with.
But my favorite thing about Combo Crew is that there is no virtual d-pad or joystick, and that makes for truly enjoyable combat. All of the action takes place with taps, holds and swipes, and I was pleasantly surprised at how deep the movesets can actually be. Because there’s no need to worry about your character’s movement, you use the swipe controls to whisk between enemies, delivering combos, charged attacks and counter moves in fast-paced rounds. While things start out simple, you are eventually handling screens full of enemies, and looking like a ninja doing it.
Like a lot of mobile games, you earn points and currency based on how well you do each round. You can then use the base currency to purchase more moves for your characters, which can then be swapped in and out of their movesets. The gold medals (which are reminiscent of NES-era controllers) that you earn for really good rounds can be used to unlock new characters as well (including one of the characters from Squids).
Like a lot of mobile games, you earn points and currency based on how well you do each round. You can then use the base currency to purchase more moves for your characters, which can then be swapped in and out of their movesets. The gold medals (which are reminiscent of NES-era controllers) that you earn for really good rounds can be used to unlock new characters as well (including one of the characters from Squids).
While I did not have a chance to try out the co-op mode, Combo Crew takes a unique approach to this as well. There is an endless mode of the game where you fight waves and waves of enemies. When your character is downed, you can request help from a friend via Facebook. If your friend plays the same level and beats it, your character in your game gets revived, and earns health points equivalent to your friend's score on that level.
I am really enjoying Combo Crew so far, and I haven’t even unlocked everything yet. If you enjoyed arcade brawlers, then you should absolutely check The Game Bakers’ latest offering, as it might be the best implementation of the genre I’ve played on a mobile device.
4.5 out of 5 Air Juggles
You can grab Combo Crew for iOS here and Android here for $1.99.
I am really enjoying Combo Crew so far, and I haven’t even unlocked everything yet. If you enjoyed arcade brawlers, then you should absolutely check The Game Bakers’ latest offering, as it might be the best implementation of the genre I’ve played on a mobile device.
4.5 out of 5 Air Juggles
You can grab Combo Crew for iOS here and Android here for $1.99.
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