LadiesGamers Superola

Superola Champion Edition Review

Game: Superola Champion Edition
Genre: Action, Adventure
System: Nintendo Switch (Also on Steam (Windows & macOS) PS4 and Xbox)
Developer|Publisher: Undercoders | JanduSoft
Age Rating: EU 3+ | US E 10+
Price: US $4.99 | UK £4.49 | EU € 4,99
Release Date: July 14th, 2022

Review code provided with many thanks to JanduSoft.

Here Comes Superola

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Superola the Llama coming to save the day and possibly win over your hearts in this challenging platformer. Superola Champion Edition appears to be an upgrade both graphically and technically from Superola and the Lost Burgers also on Switch. Before playing Superola I was expecting another one of those over-the-top platformers that aim to frustrate more than necessarily entertain.

Real life does a good enough job at doing that for me these days so I don’t need more of it in my gaming life. To my surprise, Superola actually ended up winning me over, mostly thanks to a gameplay design that really feels catered to all skill levels and blood pressure readings. It also helps that the game will likely make you smile with its utterly bizarre use of humour.

LadiesGamers Superola
Expect references aplenty

Superloa the Llama

Playing as one of the more unusual video game heroes Superola, a Llama that is on the quest to stop an evil hotdog from stealing all the burgers from the world. He does this by simply leaping his way through levels and giving you, the player, a rather proud look, maybe trusting a little too much in your abilities to lead him to safety. The premise of the game is utterly loaded with an absurd amount of video game and pop culture references. This is a design that would usually make my eyes roll, robbing the game of its own identity. But when it referenced really niche titles such as Toki and Wonder Boy, it did enough to melt my heart and have me on board for the rest of the show.

The silliness on display did get plenty of chuckles out of me mostly because I was consistently surprised by what maddening direction the game would take next. If you’re having a case of the blues you may want to look into this title to lift your spirits. It’s absolutely suitable for all ages, even if the younglings don’t get the references they will likely laugh at the silly Llama and random creatures on screen. Graphics are presented as 2D hand-drawn graphics which even with the upgrade feel a little basic but do the job. If you want to you can opt-in with the original retro graphics which make things a bit uglier.

LadiesGamers Superola
Unload Llama devastation on your foes

Pick up and Llama

The gameplay is simple to pick up and play. When you enter a level Superola will constantly run to the right of the screen. Press one button to jump over the hazards and one button to shoot out a devastating beam of destruction which will destroy everything in its path for a limited time. The death beam cost you a burger which can be replenished through the level. Take a single hit and Superola explodes in a spectacular display and it’s back to the start of the level. The design is very simple but it’s incredibly addictive. Yes, the game quickly became difficult and I did hit those walls where I noticed my stress levels rising just a little too high and I had to walk away for a while.

Bite-sized Levels

The reason I returned is the levels are pretty bite-sized and I kinda liked how the developers provide the player with options to tackle each level. If you want the hardest ride you just stick with jumping alone but using the death beam provides some breathing space for the player plus it looks awesome. It just gives more flexibility that even casual players may want to consider giving this a look in. Another assistance comes in the form of power-ups, which are obtained randomly at the end of the level or by purchasing them in a shop. These include additional burgers, a double jump and the ability to take a single hit. You activate these at the start of the level but be careful.

I often used a power-up and died instantly and lost the power-up I just used which really sucked. Between levels the game peppers in a few mini-games such as destroying cars and playing a more advanced rock paper scissors. Both of which clearly taking inspiration from Street Fighter 2 and Alex Kidd.

LadiesGamers Superola
Run and jump

Keeps on Giving 

For a small price of entry, the main campaign alone provides plenty of content to make for a pretty enjoyable Summer project or something just to dip in and out of. But the game still offers more. You have an endless mode to see how long you last on a single level. Then you have a versus mode to pit you against a friend (or up to 4 players) in split screen making this a pretty fun choice for a quick game night. Lastly you get a bonus game in the form of Alpacas Redemption.

A very short but intriguing 2D platformer that has you moving through single-screen levels and sacrificing a power-up such as a dash or double jump between levels until you end up with no moves but just your movement. It’s a really cool idea for a game and in a way, I was kinda hoping this idea would turn into its own title, with grander scope. Maybe that’s for another time.

LadiesGamers Superola
This looks familiar

Conclusion – The Best Llama game to Date

There are not a lot of games that give much love to the Llama but Superola Champion Edition certainly ranks at top, provided you ignore all the farming sims out there. As far as tough platformers go I really liked how Supernola takes what I usually deem as a tired gaming troupe and turns it into an experience that had me coming back for more.

Somehow, mixing simple pick-up and play mechanics and offering the player flexibility to conquer the challenges ahead proved to be quite the winner. I should still caution that this game won’t suit everyone. The meme-heavy humour may take it or leave it for some players. Usually, I dislike it in games but for some reason, I was kinda cool with it here. If you’re not into these hard-scrolling platformers or constantly repeating levels I doubt this game will win you over. Superola will make you laugh and rage. But if that sounds like a good combination prepare to be entertained.

Final Verdict: I Like It a Lot 

I like it a lot

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