Game: KONGEER
Genre: Action, Arcade
System: Steam (Windows & macOS)
Developer|Publisher: Ferulox Studios
Controller Support: Yes
Price: UK £2.09 | US $2.99 | EU € 2,39
Release Date: May 31st, 2022
Review code provided with many thanks to Ferulox Studios.
New Arcade Entry
Kongeer is a 2D action platformer that pays homage to the old school arcade days. From its initial appearance, it does come across as a bit of a Donkey Kong knock-off. That being said, if you do judge this game based on that observation you’ll kinda miss out on an entertaining original arcade game.
The general premise of the game is a Princess has been kidnapped by a large monkey and it’s up to you, the brave knights to rescue her. However, rather than climbing a series of platforms as you might expect, the main goal of each level is to capture the number of hearts the princess drops from the top of the screen. Be wary though as the giant monkey will also fling barrels at you too.
While this is happening several enemies will try to munch on you but you can defend yourself by jumping or ducking to avoid them or throwing a single axe. This can be replenished by collecting another one in the level. Enemies are not the only problem, time is against you so you need to jump about collecting hourglasses to keep your timer at bay. One hit and you are dead and three lives are your limits until it’s Game Over. Get the highest score you can before getting on with the rest of your day. You obtain points by avoiding and defeating enemies and collecting the hearts. The higher the level you collect them the more points you gain.
Easy to Start, Tough to Master
Kongeer certainly has the ingredients for a decent pickup and play arcade title, best enjoyed in very small bursts. Just like in the old days, I could barely get past the first level, but, after a bit of practice and figuring out the mechanics, I managed to gradually progress in small level increments. If you like your old-style arcade games you will probably appreciate this design. A friend can also join you in two-player action, here you can join forces but also compete against each other for a high score. The main arcade mode is the only feature on offer but at the very cheap entry price, it seems fair.
Controls are generally tight and responsive, if anything maybe a little too good. It doesn’t have that staggered arcade feel to the controls which adds a bit of extra challenge. I get the feeling most gamers would prefer the smooth modern feel though. You are able to play with a controller or keyboard.
Monkey Face
Kongeer is not going to win any notable graphical awards. Its appearance is quite bland using very basic sprite designs and level structure. The missed opportunity here was to try to give the game a pixelated feel much like the old arcade days. Maybe even add a sort of CRT filter like design. While making the game feature a giant monkey may turn heads with its similarity to Donkey Kong, this was a missed opportunity to create something more original.
Maybe a giant ogre instead to suit the fantasy setting or a dragon? On top of this, the audio is just horrible in places. Sometimes there was an odd scream sound which I could not exactly tell where it was coming from. After hearing it three times in quick succession I shut it off and put on some of my own music instead which made the experience much more bearable.
Conclusion – Insert Coin
Kongeer is not going to set the gaming world ablaze with its general appearance. Although, for less than a modern cup of coffee to go this did provide me with some entertaining high score chasing fun for a few hours. Add a friend to the mix and you have a decent game to play locally for a game night. It’s still not a match for the big arcade hitters, but if you want to support the developer certainly give it a look. If Kongeer was actually released as an arcade cabinet I would totally put a few coins into this while I waited for my clothes to finish washing at the laundromat. If you share arcade memories like that then maybe you’ll create some new ones with Kongeer.
Final Verdict: I Like It
