CARL is an action platformer for Nintendo Switch. With solid gameplay and plenty of collectibles, it unashamedly recalls the classics of yesteryear and keeps you coming back for more.
You play the role of a cute robot who happens to be named CARL. Something is going wrong at the local robot factory. You and your human friends need to fix the problem before it spirals out of control. The premise is simple. Go through different stages to defeat the corrupt scientist controlling the factory.
The game is divided into 4 sections, each consisting of 5 levels. Each section ends with a fun boss battle. The stage itself is set in a factory part with an interesting twist, like a robot gym. Humorous signs and objects dot the surroundings to keep things fresh in an immersive, overcrowded genre.
Between levels, CARL can explore a home base set in a junkyard. Here he can interact with various abandoned robots. As you navigate the area and learn more about the nefarious conspiracy, the experience goes deeper than you might expect. Most robots offer advice, assistance, and numerous unlockable upgrades to keep your opponents on edge.
These interactions and upgrades provide a simple RPG experience with a fairly lighthearted tone. For example, everyone’s name is spelled with acronyms like our heroes. prize. There’s a lot to giggle (or roll your eyes), but it’s innocent enough to add charm without being overly distracting.
The controls work really well. This is something that always bothers me when starting a new platformer. While seemingly simple, it’s actually difficult to achieve the perfect balance between jumping and running. I’ve always compared platformers to Mario’s high quality, and the developers did a great job here. It elevates the game above some of its counterparts to create an enjoyable experience.
Another positive aspect is the large amount of collectibles hidden throughout each level. The minimum goal is for him to find three computer parts. Achieving all three will open the exit. However, there are also many optional collectibles to test your skills. These come in the form of medals, CDs, green computer parts, and trading cards. A handy indicator shows progress. Completionists can do a lot if they want to tick off everything off their list. Some items are hard to find, using hidden walls and maze-like pathways to keep you scratching your head about their location. Even finding the default he 3 components can be difficult.
CARL isn’t that hard, though. There are only about 20 levels and it’s not that long. Collectibles aside, we’re looking at a few hours of gameplay in total, and at $14.99, it’s becoming unjustified. I’d like to see it for around $10.
Still, I appreciate the efforts of the developers to create an overall enjoyable experience.The interface is easy to navigate and, as mentioned, the characters are easy to control. Graphically, CARL successfully mimics classic games like Commander Keen with a strong retro feel. This aesthetic is combined with excellent chiptune music to complete the nostalgic atmosphere.
Overall, CARL is a short and sweet platformer with an RPG feel that takes the fun of classic arcade games from the 80’s and 90’s. The quirky humor and plenty of goodies make it a title that will keep fans of the genre entertained.
