Review: Tanglewood (Steam)
TANGLEWOOD is a brand new and original puzzle-platforming game originally released for the SEGA Mega Drive and Genesis, coming soon to Windows, Mac, and Linux. A true 16-bit, challenging platforming experience that will make fans of the golden gaming era feel warm and fuzzy. Here is our Tanglewood review.
Pros:
- 16-bit graphics.
- 249MB Download size.
- Classic catchy chiptune soundtrack authored, especially for the Mega Drive’s sound processors.
- Sound test option.
- Graphics options- Fullscreen, Resolution, v-sync and scanline percentage.
- Proper old school manual.
- Can rebind the controller or/and keyboard.
- Controller support.
- Platformer gameplay.
- Puzzle elements.
- Steam achievements.
- Collectibles- Fireflies complete with a counter on the pause menu.
- Fuzzls- Take them back to their home to enable their ability.
- Abilities- You change color and each color means an ability. Yellow- Gliding, Green-Time control and Blue-Tame animals.
- Superb animations.
- Checkpoints also act as a save point and are throughout the levels.
- You get a ROM file with your purchase.
- Difficult.
- Day/night cycle with different enemies in each.
- Displays the classic code for saving. (Couldn’t get it to work)EDIT: This has now being implemented and you can now type in your save code. Best feature is you can now use that code on both the game here on PC or on the Megadrive/ROM game, So in essence, its cross save!
Cons:
- Mouse stays on screen.
- Cannot use the pad on the options menu.
- No, quit to menu.
- Never ever sure it actually saves and what it saves.
- Difficult.
The Numbers:
- Graphics - 8/108/10
- Sound - 8/108/10
- Accessability - 8/108/10
- Length - 8/108/10
- Fun Factor - 8/108/10
Summary
This is how you make a proper retro game! For what you get here is the techniques used back in the day, In this case, the music, Retains all the feels from days gone. No fancy retro “like” filters or remasters or emulated retro effects. A proper breath of fresh air as you jump from here to the ROM file and see no difference. IU didn’t have the physical edition so couldn’t compare but what I have played of the ROM is perfect. I love the fact that the only modern influence is cloud saving, Here its simple passwords, Passwords that as a youth I had pages upon pages of them so it harks back to the golden days but also takes a spin on current saving. Back to the game and it is difficult, Really difficult but the smile you get from playing the game cannot be beaten no matter how brutal the game. It combines a lot of platforming with a sprinkling of puzzles and exploration. Every ability mixes the game up and generally, you love it all. In short, this is a must own for any retro fans or gamers wanting the challenge only old games gave. Excellent title.
