So why did the duck cross the water? In SPLASHY DUCK, it's to grab a bunch of coins before colliding with a whale. So, uh, now you know?
SPLASHY DUCK is another addition to the RCMADIAX line of simply designed score attack games. The player guides a duck endlessly swimming a vertical channel in the middle of the screen. When the duck hits the rubber band-like barriers on the top or bottom, it will be sent back in the opposite direction. While the duck can never stop, hitting the A button will make it pull a 180 and swim back the way it came, no barrier needed.
The goal of the game is to collect coins that appear one-at-a-time upon the duck's path. The only obstacles getting in the way of the duck's Scrooge-like desires are large and small whales that travel horizontally across the screen. Hit one of these and the game instantly ends.
For what little is involved, the operation is spot on. The duck turns on a dime, which proves to be a relief when whales are bearing in on both sides and a rapid tempo of button presses are needed to keep it relatively locked in place. These times can even feel a bit tense.
Collisions never feel unfair as a good amount of time is given to see the whales coming in from the sides. Game overs tend to happen from a lack of foresight or the inevitable temptation to Evel Knievel your duck past an incoming pod.
The pixelated style is also not complex, but works well here. The duck and whales are upon a field of wavy lines that portrays water with a mild sense of an EarthBound battle background, but it does not become distracting. There is a jaggy jumpiness when the screen transitions back to title after a game over, but it has no bearing on the gameplay.
As with many games of its type, a lack of variety is SPLASHY DUCK's biggest downfall. Whales are the only objects to worry about, and they never seem to pull any tricks or even become more difficult to dodge as time and coins go up. There is a sense of progression missing or things to strive for other than a high score. Even an addition like a special coin traveling in from the side to try and nab would have added to the mix.
There is also the question of whether the Wii U is the best platform for this game. The visuals do pop on a TV screen, but this does feel more suited for quick bouts of 3DS play.
Conclusion
SPLASHY DUCK has a fun look and competent functionality, making it a solid entry for its type of game, but will likely prove much too simple for many to get hooked for long. It's easy to see younger players being charmed by it, however, and it could be a good way for them to develop coordination skills.
Comments 27
meh
Tag line sounds better than the game.....
Flappy Bird, Jumpy Cat and now Splashy Duck.
not something i would play, but i can kind agree with thw reviewer. it would been a better fit on 3Ds.
Too much water?
@sinalefa
LOL. XD
Let me guess, maybe on future there are some peculiar titles like Bouncing Elephants, Zappy Zebras, Lightning Mare, Chatty Bunny, Home Run Bats, Dancing Dinos, Flat Cat Revolution, Speed Demon Cheetah, etc. Just my fictional peculiar titles.
@RCMADIAX
You mean Dancey Dinos, if you were to keep with the naming conventions.
The review score is obscenely, vulgarly generous. This is the sort of game I could get started on in an afternoon and be done by dinner time. Bite-sized experiences are fine, but even game design tutorials aren't as simplistic as this. This might have worked as a FREE flash game some 15 odd years ago, but it's completely unacceptable as a PAID game in this day and age (and the asking price is quite high for whatever little content is on offer).
I applaud the efforts of independent developers, and it isn't fair to expect too much of them, but as far as this is concerned... what effort?
@sinalefa Don't forget Crossy Road!
@RCMADIAX you make these games?
@sillygostly I agree 100%.
These seems more l like a mobile game.
Is there a video anywhere?
Saw it. This game sucks big time.
It seems like a colored Game and Watch game of old, but with far less content. I'd see being ported to the 3DS as a free companion to other RCMADIAX games.
@RCMADIAX when is Shooty Space coming out? https://www.scirra.com/store/sellers/robote-games-104
I was thinking about scouring the internet for HTML5 game templates and dumping them on the eShop, any site suggestions? I noticed you have started dipping into the the Unity Asset store complete projects section with your "new" N3DS game Brick Race. god help us all https://www.assetstore.unity3d.com/en/#!/content/20453
@RCMADIAX forgive me if I am being too personnal, but does it make you angry to hear all these hate comments about your games?
@Ashthearcher most of the junk @RCMADIAX releases aren't his games, he ports existing HTML5 games that other developers sell licenses for. Anybody else could release the exact same games on the eShop if they wanted to and were as shameless as him.
https://www.scirra.com/store/games-with-source/dont-crash-907
https://www.scirra.com/store/licenseable-games/pixel-slime-896
Honestly I am surprised Nintendo allows such low quality games in the e-shop. Most of these games are bottom of the barrel iOS type games.
You can find templates for these types of games in the $10 range and be a game developer if you have no pride.
@RCMADIAX I am happy you finally decided to dip your toes into the Unity Asset Store Complete Projects section. After all of your HTML5 shovelling I figured you were too dim to figure out the Unity Editor, I'm glad you are finally stepping up your game. I can't wait to see the flood of Unity Complete Project junk you are about to license and unleash onto the eShop and claim as your own. You are a train wreck.
@kartown Wow that's ridiculous.
Those are whales? Are you sure they aren't swimming Pumpkaboo?
Yeah, that's always the way with these types of games. Good for short bursts, but not good for long play.
I don't know why people bash on these types of games as if they're new and troublesome to the gaming industry.
Remember games like Donkey Kong, Duck Hunt, Ice Climber, Hogan's Alley, Pac-Man Q-bert and Frogger?
That's all games like Jewel, Happy Bird and Splashy Duck really are. Modern arcade games on mobile devices and handhelds.
Ha! You even hafta pay to play! You just hafta use a credit card instead of quarters.
@RCMADIAX Splish Splash Pong sound familiar?
@Origami actually the HTML code @RCMADIAX bought and dumped on the eShop was called 'splashy pong'. https://www.scirra.com/store/games-with-source/splashy-pong-1098
You have to give @RCMADIAX credit, at least he changed the name of the game he 'made'
I've seen this game before...
@RCMADIAX Hey thanks for getting me banned for two weeks from Miiverse for expressing my opinion about your poorly put together video game, bro.
Also nice job paying off Nintendo Life to give you such an asinine rating.
I applaud RCMADIAX for sticking his neck out and putting these out. I haven't played any of his/her games yet, but I really don't care where he sources his material. HTML5? Big deal. Jimbo's Online Bucket O' Bytes? So what. The developer is out there and putting his passion toward making a few bucks. I say 'hurray' to that.
Frankly I like these types of quickie arcade style Game & Watch games. The review scores keep me at bay but I will eventually check them out.
Congratulations on your release. That's more than anyone else on here has published on a company digital shop.
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