Hero-of-Time Posted July 26, 2018 Posted July 26, 2018 I've been playing Heroki on and off all week and finally got 100% on it last night. Here are my thoughts on the game. The game starts off in Heroki’s village, Levantia. It’s a colourful place that is filled with creatures that have propellers for heads because, why not? It’s here where the Emerix, a powerful emblem that helps protect the village, is stolen by the antagonist of the game, Dr. N Forchin. Like most platformers, the story is pretty throw away but it does help frame the game and introduce you to the lovable Heroki and what a cute little character he is. The game itself is hard to categorise. I’d say it’s a platforming game but without the platforms. You see, Heroki and his people move around the place via the little propellers on their heads that I mentioned earlier. You can land and run along the ground but this is a lot slower and is only used when trying to fit through a tight spot, which is worth doing at every available opportunity due to how hilarious his animation his while running across the ground. Heroki applies for the new Donkey Kong Country game. You control Heroki with the left control stick. It may takes some time to get used to how he floats and glides through the air but I personally didn’t have a problem with it. Other things that Heroki can do is pick up items and curl up into a tight form and then essentially dive bomb into breakable objects. Pressing the ‘Y’ button will allow you to pick up crates that are scattered around the levels. You can then use these crates as a throwing object and launch them at enemies. This is done in a similar way to the Yoshi games where you would aim your eggs and then let fire. It’s the same principle but with crates. Some of the crates will have useful items in them, such as a health pick up or shield, so it’s well worth keeping an eye out for those, especially for the shield power up as this will allow you to take an extra hit and will come in handy when trying to make your way through a tricky flying section. The dive bomb move that I mentioned can be activated by pressing the ‘B’ button. This is used to access new areas of the levels and also to get around stages a little quicker. To stop the dive you just need to flick up on the control stick. This can be upgraded later in the game to allow you to damage enemies while using it. As the game progresses you will unlock more moves, such as the ability to use the power of wind to clear leaves and poison gas and a charge attack that lets you break through walls. I didn't know Tingle was in this game! The levels themselves look lovely, with bright and vibrant colours bursting out of the screen. With the main feature being able to fly, the levels do have a lot of verticality to them. It’s not a question of just going from left to right until you hit the end goal but it feels more like an adventure, with the player having to find switches to open doors or pull levers to create new openings. This leads to a lot of exploration and you get to see some very nice level design while playing through each of the 24 levels. The first world is a kind of tropical place, the second an underwater world and the third a desert/mine area. Sure, they are standard settings for these types of games but the art work is lovely in each of them. Scattered throughout the levels are coins that can be collected. These are the currency of the game and you are encouraged to pick them up in order to buy items at the hub area, which can be visited after completing each level. By visiting the shop in this hub area you will be able to purchase things like extra lives or health pick ups. Also in the shop are 3 items that act as upgrades and help you on your adventure. There are some x-ray glasses that allows you to see secret areas. The Safe lets you keep all of your collectables if you die and the final item you can purchase doubles the amount of coins to collect. Each of these comes in very handy and are well worth purchasing as soon as possible. The cactus enemy doesn't looked too thrilled with Heroki's weapon of choice. Elsewhere in the hub are a bunch of other places to visit. There is a laboratory and bakery where you can buy more items to help on your travels, such as the shield power up or cakes to restore your health. These items can be saved in your inventory (there are 3 empty slots to fill) and can be used at any point within a level. There are also little mini games to play in the hub. Visit the giant palace and you will be treated with a True or False quiz that will dish out coins if you win. The farm also has a mini game that requires you to stack bundles of hay as fast as you can in order to win coins. Finally, a couple of the residents will offer side quests for you to complete. These range from getting a ball out of a tree for a child, to hunting down 3 hidden items, one in each of the worlds. Doing these things can help add a bit of variety to the game and are also a great way to earn extra money. For the people who enjoy trying to 100% a game, this offers a nice amount of collectables to hunt down. Within each of the stages lies a chest, letters that spell out H-E-R-O-K-I, much like the Donkey Kong Country games, and 5 emblems called Emirals. The treasure chest usually has an item, such as an extra life or shield, and the Emirals are used to unlock new areas and moves in the game. With the levels being so compact it makes looking for each of these things very enjoyable rather than a chore. Veteran gamers who have played a lot platforming games will recognise the signs for where things are hidden but there were still times where I did have to scour the area that little bit extra in order to find what I was missing. Heroki is heading to the seaside. No wonder he looks so happy! Once you have finished a level the game will reward you with a score out of 100. Each of the items that you collect will add to this score, so if you want to get perfect marks then you will need to find everything the level has to offer. If you do happen to miss something there’s no need to worry as it’s not a deal breaker. You can revisit any of the levels you have previous played and once again go on the hunt for the things that you may have missed. Working your way through each of the 24 levels will take a while if you are to collect everything, especially if you miss something on your initial run. Once you have made it all the way through the game you will be faced with a final boss fight. It's an easy fight but the game should be measured on the journey and not the ending. With variety in each of the worlds, a lot of things to seek out and a host of mini games and side quests to take part in, the game will keep you busy for a while and is well worth the asking price of £8.99. Conclusion I’ve never been a mobile phone gamer, partly due to my iphone not being up to scratch, but mostly due to the games that are on that platform don’t really appeal to me. This game has proved that there are quality games to be played on mobile devices and that if ported over to the Switch with some care and attention that they can work on Nintendo’s platform. Heroki has certainly opened my eyes a little and I look forward to what Picomy has to offer next. If you are in the market for a cute, colourful and relaxing platforming game then I highly recommend you visit the eShop and pick this up. This is yet another hidden gem on the Switch. 4 2
RedShell Posted July 26, 2018 Posted July 26, 2018 48 minutes ago, Hero-of-Time said: I've been playing Heroki on and off all week and finally got 100% on it last night. It just wouldn’t be right if you didn’t complete it before me, despite starting it later. Actually I’m pretty much done (99%) just need to find the final lost item. Anyway, great write-up. Hopefully it’ll encourage others to try the game. As you pointed out there are a few nods to DKC, so fans of that franchise should get a kick out of Heroki. Just don’t go in expecting a DKC style level of challenge or you’ll be disappointed, this game is very much on the easy side. But as you say, it makes for a nice and relaxing experience, especially on the underwater stages. 1 1
MindFreak Posted July 26, 2018 Posted July 26, 2018 Summer sale 2018: Quote Just Dance 2017 – €29.99 (was €59.99)Just Dance 2018 – €35.99 (was €59.99)LEGO City Undercover – €29.99 (was €59.99)LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 – €35.99 (was €59.99)NBA 2K18 – €34.99 (was €69.99)NBA 2K18 Legend Edition – €49.99 (was €99.99)NBA 2K18 Legend Edition Gold – €74.99 (was €149.99)Puyo Puyo Tetris – €19.99 (was €39.99)Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition – €23.99 (was €39.99)South Park: The Fractured But Whole – €35.99 (was €59.99)Tales of the Tiny Planet – €7.49 (was €14.99)Urban Trial Playground – €11.99 (was €19.99)ATOMIK: RunGunJumpGun – €4.79 (was €7.99)Brawlout – €11.99 (was €19.99)Binaries – €4.79 (was €11.99)Butcher – €5.99 (was €9.99)Cat Quest – €7.79 (was €12.99)Caveman Warriors – €7.79 (was €12.99)ChromaGun – €9.99 (was €19.99)Clustertruck – €8.99 (was €14.99)Detention – €6.29 (was €10.49)Dandara – €8.99 (was €14.99)Draw a Stickman: Epic 2 – €3.49 (was €6.99)Earth Atlantis – €7.49 (was €14.99)Elliot Quest – €5.99 (was €9.99)forma.8 – €4.99 (was €9.99)Framed Collection – €5.99 (was €9.99)Furi – €11.99 (was €19.99)GoNNER – €5.99 (was €9.99)Graceful Explosion Machine – €7.79 (was €12.99)Hammerwatch – €5.99 (was €9.99)Hexologic – €1.67 (was €2.99)Infernium – €13.79 (was €22.99)Inversus Deluxe – €5.99 (was €11.99)Jotun: Valhalla Edition – €8.99 (was €14.99)Kid Tripp – €1.99 (was €3.99)Kingdom: New Lands – €7.49 (was €14.99)Kona – €9.99 (was €19.99)Lightspeer: Double Speer Edition – €5.99 (was €9.99)Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime – €8.99 (was €14.99)NBA Playgrounds – Enhanced Edition – €9.99 (was €19.99)Neonwall – €5.99 (was €9.99)Nine Parchments – €7.99 (was €19.99)Old Man’s Journey – €5.99 (was €9.99)Outlast: Bundle of Terror – €14.99 (was €24.99)Party Golf – €8.99 (was €14.99)Pirate Pop Plus – €2.52 (was €4.20)Putty Pals – €5.09 (was €8.50)Resident Evil Revelations – €11.99 (was €24.99)Resident Evil Revelations 2 – €14.99 (was €24.99)RIVE: Ultimate Edition – €8.24 (was €14.99)Shadow Bug – €4.04 (was €8.99)Shift Quantum – €11.99 (was €19.99)Shu – €5.09 (was €8.49)Snake Pass – €9.99 (was €19.99)Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure Deluxe – €8.99 (was €14.99)Super Meat Boy – €7.79 (was €12.99)Swim Out – €3.59 (was €5.99)The Adventure Pals – €7.19 (was €11.99)The Escapists 2 – €11.99 (was €19.99)The Final Station – €8.99 (was €14.99)The Jackbox Party Pack – €10.49 (was €20.99)Toki Tori – €2.74 (was €4.99)Toki Tori 2: Nintendo Switch Edition – €8.24 (was €14.99)Transcripted – €4.74 (was €7.99)TurtlePop: Journey to Freedom – €8.99 (was €19.99)Uno – €5.99 (was €9.99)Use Your Words – €6.54 (was €13.09)Uurnog Uurnlimited – €7.49 (was €14.99)Volgarr the Viking – €4.99 (was €9.99)Warp Shift – €5.99 (was €9.99)Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s trap – €11.99 (was €19.99)Worms W.M.D – €17.99 (was €29.99)South Park: The Fractured But Whole – Gold Edition – €47.99 (was €79.99)South Park: The Fractured But Whole – Season Pass – €17.99 1 2
killthenet Posted July 26, 2018 Posted July 26, 2018 I'll probably get Revelations 2 and maybe Super Meat Boy. Hard to know if I'll be able to spend more considering the great games that will be releasing over the next couple of weeks though
Happenstance Posted July 27, 2018 Posted July 27, 2018 I wonder why Nintendo never put first party games in these sales.
RedShell Posted July 27, 2018 Posted July 27, 2018 5 minutes ago, Happenstance said: I wonder why Nintendo never put first party games in these sales. They do, just not often enough and the discounts are usually minimal. It’s seems to happen more often in Japan. MK8 DX and ARMS are both on sale in the Japanese eShop at the moment.
Dufniall Posted July 27, 2018 Posted July 27, 2018 51 minutes ago, Happenstance said: I wonder why Nintendo never put first party games in these sales. Check the 3DS sale, lots of first parties! With a lot less discount though. 30% max.
Happenstance Posted July 27, 2018 Posted July 27, 2018 1 minute ago, Vileplume2000 said: Check the 3DS sale, lots of first parties! With a lot less discount though. 30% max. Doesn't help for the Switch though does it.
Hero-of-Time Posted July 27, 2018 Posted July 27, 2018 Nintendo have always been stingy when it comes to discounting their games. Unless one of their titles absolutely bombs (Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.) then they usually don't budge on their original price. 1
Dufniall Posted July 27, 2018 Posted July 27, 2018 1 hour ago, Happenstance said: Doesn't help for the Switch though does it. Nope! But last sale (the E3 one) they actually had first parties on sale (Zelda, Splatoon 2). But discounts were only 10-15% so you can probably pick it up cheaper physical somewhere. It's indeed curious how price stable Nintendo games are. They are almost like Apple hardware.
Kounan Posted July 27, 2018 Posted July 27, 2018 For me is now cheaper to get a physical copy, or it costs the same (even if on discount on the e-shop) compared to the e-shop prices.Sent from my HUAWEI VNS-L21 using Tapatalk
S.C.G Posted July 30, 2018 Posted July 30, 2018 Heroki Review written by @Hero-of-Time Thank you on behalf of N-Europe. And thank you to @RedShell for introducing us to Heroki. 2 2
Hero-of-Time Posted August 1, 2018 Posted August 1, 2018 Shantae received a free update yesterday. You get to run around with Shantae in her jammies and she now has a Blaster Master Zero transformation! The animations when she is Sophia III are amazing. 3 1
Dufniall Posted August 1, 2018 Posted August 1, 2018 Oh man, I still need to get Shantae. Loved The Pirates Curse. Next time it is on sale I'll grab it!
Dog-amoto Posted August 1, 2018 Posted August 1, 2018 Apparently, Iconoclasts releases on Switch tomorrow. Got good reviews on PC so I’ll probably pick this up depending on price. But I don’t see it available for preorder on eShop. I’ll have another look tomorrow.
Tim B Posted August 1, 2018 Posted August 1, 2018 How come Pokemon Let's Go is available for pre-order on the Nintendo website etc., but not the eShop? How come Super Mario Party isn't available for pre-order anywhere despite being released six or so weeks earlier? I would've pre-ordered both on the eShop ages ago if I'd had the chance. Smash Ultimate too.
Sméagol Posted August 1, 2018 Posted August 1, 2018 Apparently, they're going to add more stuff to the summer sale next week (that's what the newsletter says anyway).
Hero-of-Time Posted August 2, 2018 Posted August 2, 2018 7 hours ago, Dog-amoto said: Apparently, Iconoclasts releases on Switch tomorrow. Got good reviews on PC so I’ll probably pick this up depending on price. But I don’t see it available for preorder on eShop. I’ll have another look tomorrow. It's in the Coming Soon section and is £17.99. 1
Dog-amoto Posted August 2, 2018 Posted August 2, 2018 Ah thanks. I was looking on the website rather than the eShop itself.
Happenstance Posted August 2, 2018 Posted August 2, 2018 I've been interested in getting Iconoclasts since seeing it at SGDQ this year. I'll still probably get it on PS4 though as its cheaper there.
Hero-of-Time Posted August 2, 2018 Posted August 2, 2018 54 minutes ago, Happenstance said: I've been interested in getting Iconoclasts since seeing it at SGDQ this year. I'll still probably get it on PS4 though as its cheaper there. It's also cross buy, which is a nice bonus for Vita owners. 1
Sméagol Posted August 2, 2018 Posted August 2, 2018 (edited) I want Iconoclasts, but I want it physical. Does anyone know if anything has been said in that regard? It got a physical on PS4, so I'm kind of expecting one later in any case. I'll be holding off for now. Salt & Sanctuary will definitely get a hysical release by the way. Not sure if I actually want that game (badly), Dead Cells at first glance (artstyle) looks more appealing to me. Oxenfree will get a physical release as well. Despite the subpar port, I'm getting it, because I love the game, and don't have a physical version. Edit: Also, Yoku's island express apparently has a demo out now. Get it, if you were on the fence. Edited August 2, 2018 by Sméagol
Dog-amoto Posted August 2, 2018 Posted August 2, 2018 It’s crazy. All indie games especially should have a demo. You want as many people as possible trying your game and surely you’d get more sales.
RedShell Posted August 2, 2018 Posted August 2, 2018 The developers of Pixel Action Heroes are giving away codes here (for US eShop only I believe): https://m.facebook.com/cypronia/ Pretty dodgy looking game, but I have to admit the fake movie characters gave me a chuckle.
Aneres11 Posted August 8, 2018 Posted August 8, 2018 @Hero-of-Time @RedShell just to let you know I have been playing Heroki over the last few weeks since you recommended it, just very slowly! Been decorating lots of rooms and I've hardly had any time to just crack on with it but from what I've played so far (I'm up to 2-5), I'm really enjoying it! It's a very relaxing game to play, and I'm surprised it started off as a mobile game due to how well Heroki controls. It's also refreshing, as H-o-T says, that it's not just a left to right platform adventure. Being able to go vertical and horizontal is a bit of a refreshing change for this type of genre, and it makes finding secrets and collectables a bit more fun. Hoping to try and get it boxed off soon and put a bit more time into it but wanted to say cheers for recommending it! 1 1
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