Peglin Review (Nintendo Switch OLED)

Peglin offers a charming experience with its decent pixel art graphics and a manageable download size of 434MB. The game features its own in-game achievements and a variety of options to enhance gameplay, such as adjusting the speed and vignette intensity, and a screenshake intensity slider. The ball-popping gameplay, combined with an arcade presentation, makes for an engaging experience. The Encirclepedia is a handy feature that keeps track of unlocked characters, achievements, run summaries, and the bestiary, adding depth to the game. Influenced by Peggle, Peglin incorporates roguelike elements where maps and locations randomize with each run, keeping the gameplay fresh and unpredictable.

The core gameplay involves aiming and shooting your ball at other balls to score points and attack advancing enemies. Special balls can grant temporary power-ups and even respawn wiped-out balls, adding a strategic layer to the game. Initially, you get a basic aim line to help with your shots. The HUD is informative, showing which ball you are using and its effects. Some balls require multiple hits to be destroyed, indicated by a countdown number. As you progress, you can collect different balls with unique abilities or buffs, and you can switch them out as needed. Coins earned in levels can be used to buy new balls, upgrade existing ones, save for later, or heal yourself. The game features a health bar system, but the initial load time can be slow, and the numerous ball abilities can be overwhelming at first.

The ball moves faster than expected, requiring some practice to master. The tutorial help is quite basic, which might leave new players struggling initially. Boss fights often come down to having a lot of health, as enemies march toward you and deal damage when they get close. Hitting balls powers up your attacks, and after finishing a level, you get one life to clear out remaining pegs, with the option to hit the fire pit for an extra shot. Shops on the map sell various balls, and the game is very accessible and easy to get into. Story-like encounters with multiple-choice options add a narrative element. During battles with multiple enemies, you can choose your target, which adds a tactical aspect. The game features massive boss fights and an end-of-run breakdown showing unlocked balls for custom mode.

There are four characters to unlock, each bringing a unique gameplay spin, with visible unlock criteria. New runs allow you to pick one of three boosts to activate, and the game saves upon quitting out. Overall, Peglin is a fun and accessible game with a mix of strategic and arcade elements, though it has a few areas that could be improved, such as the tutorial and initial load times.