The power of luchador's blasts to life and brings with it a most enjoyable gem not to be ignored.
Guacamelee is a platformer akin to the likes of Metroid and Castlevania. It holds the essence of going around various maps and backtracking to previous ones to unlock new areas with recently gained powers. While this may seem like a rip off of the larger names, the game uses this formula smoothly and easily comes up with some very creative stage designs. Not everything is as simple as running down a hall, as this game introduces an unique game design that will be touched on later. If you're a fan of this kind of game style, you'll fit right at home here, but for those who enjoy action games you'll also find something to enjoy.
The game starts off with Juan, a seemingly normal guy who is asked to help prepare for an upcoming festival. Naturally things don't go according to plan and you are soon thrust into a rescue mission of worldly proportions. Almost in Metroid-styled fashion, you're given just enough plot at the start to carry out the entire game without any further input into the story. You know what you need to do and you won't stop until it's done. While some may say it detracts from character development on the main hero, it isn't always a bad thing. The game also ensures you have enough encounters with your enemies that they don't feel like a distant after thought, which is good because this game has a variety of interesting characters and each encounter is both enjoyable and entertaining to witness.
After becoming a luchador, you're soon thrust into the action. Your entire journey is done via 2D styled platforming with a map in hand should you get lost as you journey around your world. Each map is a subsection of the world map, all of which is easily accessible from your select button. As you run around and climb numerous staircases (Castlevania styled) you'll come across many enemies to exact your fists upon.
You fight like a 2D brawler with combos becoming more fluid and extreme the further you go into the game. As you unlock skills and new abilities, you gain new ways to destroy your enemies in long and flashy combos. Even at the start you feel as though you are strong and you only feel even stronger with every new power, which is a joy to see such variety in how you can defeat your enemy. Most games of this style usually show variety in only the weapons (or just one weapon that gets stronger). In this, you feel as though you are becoming a luchador legend.
Your normal attacks are done by pressing the square button while your special moves on the circle, with an accompanying direction to split the variety amongst them. Controls are responsive and quick, so there's no worry about poor timing or forethought behind your attacks. Thanks to this, combos are easy to perform and when your enemy has taken enough of a beating, you can also perform one of several grappling moves, ranging from throws to full suplexes. It's good to see the move sets matching the game character and his 'profession', not to say it would have been bad to see more, but some correlation is always appreciated.
However, your moves are not only used towards battle. You'll gain special abilities (thanks to a really obvious reference to Metroid) that can also be used to destroy colored blocks that, ironically, block other paths to explore. Each of these powers is performed with a flashy splash of color, so it becomes easy to know which power destroys which block. However, it later becomes more interesting in the fights as certain enemies will gain colored barriers that, until hit with the right move, won't take any damage. It adds a small strategic element, but it helps from keeping this as a simple button mashing game that you can pound all enemies without ever using your powers.
Light and darkness also take on a new twist in this game and it works beautifully throughout the entire game. As you travel you'll come across areas that posses swirling portals that, should you jump through it, will take you to a dark or light version of your world. Doing so will show slight alterations to the map that can either impede or allow your progress, while also being creatively useful in puzzles. One thing this game does well is its platforming puzzle aspect. Some require you to think out your path to reach the treasures beyond and timing is needed, but not to the point where it's by mere inches. There's plenty of chests to find and boosts to gain, making the challenges worth going for. This portal system also mixes into the fighting system as some enemies will can only be harmed when you are within either side. Should you be on the wrong side, you'll only have a white or black shadow showing their presence, but nothing more. Should you try to strike it, you'll punch through as if hitting a cloud, but fortunately the game ensures there's a portal nearby to address them. However, this kind of variety makes fights all the more interesting and enjoyable.
Money is given from enemy drops to room clearing fights, which can all be used for power moves and stat boosts of various kinds. Your power moves require stamina blocks, which recover after so much time, and your hp is shown via a bar. Both can be made larger with enough money, but this is just a basic example. There is one boost that only applies to the PS3 users, but that one is the only partial drawback of sorts since there isn't one just for Vita users.
Graphically this game is beautiful, almost as if a pinata had exploded with color. The game pops with a truly unique art style while also matching it with fluid and lively animations and colors. Every map you go feels like an artistic explosion that details everything you see while making your journey a colorful one. Animations move with such fluidity, truly showing off not only the game's aesthetic design, but also showing the capabilities of the system itself. Everything within this game boasts color and you'll be treated to an explosion of colors and flare, all of which compliments and enhances the entire experience. Nothing beats gaining a new ability followed by a flashy and vibrant display of the power's name for a couple seconds. Even the enemies hold plenty of flare that makes each one a joy to encounter and to discover.
As you venture you'll also come across many forms of references to all things video game and internet related. Their appearances are both entertaining and sometimes hilarious in how random or sudden they appear. It's easy to note what they relate to, but it definitely adds a great piece of humor as you adventure around the world. While some games include humor and it comes off as abstract, in this game it all fits perfectly as the concept of the game is nothing short of humorous and entertaining. After all, where else can you find a chicken luchador trainer?
Musically it fits the game and makes each map fit properly. The subtle changes between the light and dark versions is also enjoyable, but none of the tunes will really stand out or have you humming later. They will, however, make your growth feel like a fiesta of epic proportions.
If there is anything to criticize is the lack of variety in the enemies. Sadly you'll be fighting many of the same kind of enemies who all look the same save for a different shade of color. While it's nice they have different personalities and moves, it does leave you wanting for more given how much was put into this. Even if the enemies reflected the maps you visit would have been nice, especially given the plot of the game.
Guacamelee proves to be a game worth playing, but also shows that the future is not bleak for unique and enjoyable experiences. There's plenty to enjoy and with its personality, humor and action, it'll leave you feeling like the king of the ring at the end.