EarthNight Review (Nintendo Switch)

Game: EarthNight
Genre: Action/Platform/Endless Runner.
System: Nintendo Switch (also on Steam, Console and Mobile)
Publishers| Developers : Cleaversoft
Age Rating: EU 3 | US E |AUS G
Price:  EU €13.99 | $14.99 USD| $21.00 AUS| $ 19.94 CAD|£ 12.59
Release Date:  3rd December 2019

Review Code Used Many Thanks To Cleaversoft.

Banned to outer space

EarthNight released by Cleaversoft for the Nintendo Switch is a procedurally generated endless runner, the type of game were your character runs continuously and you control their jump and other moves. It takes place in a world where space dragons have destroyed the Earth and humans have had to flee to outer space.

You are able to choose from two characters as the game starts. Sydney a young girl with superpowers who has double-jump moves and the ability to dash. Or you can go for Stanley who has a long jump and high jump moves, allowing him to keep momentum while running.

Both characters have slightly different move sets, so it’s up to you to decide which one to play as. Of course, you can try out both, this also gives EarthNight more reply value as you try to master both characters play styles.

Racing along the Dragons’ back

After you pick which character to play as you’re jettisoned from a space ship. Floating in space you then land on the back of a dragon! It’s the dragons’ back that you sprint on as it flies through the heavens. As it flies, his back is constantly squirming in a snake-like way, sometimes throwing you into the air.

Of course it’s up to you to keep Sydney or Stanley alive as they jump and dash along the dragons’ back. Collecting power-ups (I like the cute purse!) and avoiding obstacles and hopefully make it safely to the dragons’ head. When you finally reach it, you battle it by stabbing its head to defeat it ( I bet he will at least have a good headache!) If you are victorious you get to keep your collected goodies before you skydive down to the next level.

Power-ups collected along the way help you unlock new abilities, such as increasing your characters jump or the ability to deflect lasers. The more power-ups you unlock change the strategy of the game, keeping things fresh on each randomised attempt.

Amazing art-work on the dragons

Controlling your ever running character is done via the joy stick or directional buttons. The A,  B and Y buttons you use to preform moves. Luckily (very important in endless running!) the controls work faultlessly.

EarthNight has gorgeous 2D hand-drawn graphics with a retro feel to match the chip tune soundtrack. According to Cleaversoft the dragons and the games’ atmosphere has been brought to live by artist Paul “Mattahan” Davey who painted 10,000 plus frames of art and animation for EarthNight. The dragons are beautiful and colourful and really are a feast for the eye. So much so that at times I wished Sydney would stop running and stand still so I could enjoy the dragons art work!

EarthNight isn’t an overly long game, once you master it. But it is an enjoyable and challenging intense experience. It offers replay value with each character to try out with their different move sets. The procedurally generated levels make it a unique experience each time you play.

Conclusion

While playing EarthNight I discovered my reactions are not as good as they used to be: I died a lot of times. That never stopped me wanting to go back and try again, nor did it make it a frustrating experience. Nope, just an enjoyable and rewarding one as I managed to progress in the game.

Looking at the whole package I’d say that EarthNight is the perfect fit for the Nintendo Switch. The game offers the opportunity for a quick play session while you commute to work or a longer playtime while lounging on the sofa at home. After all, who can resist those beautifully drawn dragons?

Final Verdict: I Like It a Lot.