A polished Metroid-like puzzle platformer that works smoothly with its simple presentation and electric conductivity mechanics that are conveyed through the design without using a single word (not even in the menus or the achievements). It throws some good ideas around and the collectibles aren't as easy to get and one may initially think. The soundtrack isn't great though, being not that notable through most of the playthrough, but the presentation is alright.
Um joguinho de resolução de puzzles, que vai te fazer quebrar bem a cabeça pra desvendá-los em alguns momentos. Bem curtinho, simples e mecânicas bem feitinhas, mas nada muito marcante.
Fun and cute little puzzle platformer, not gonna blow you away but definitely worth the time playing with some creative puzzles using a super unique main mechanic of electricity and powering items up
I don't think it's a game with all the confidence it could have, and the one thing that points that up is the music, boring to hear after a while. At the same time, for a game that explores its possibilities but doesn't dig seriously in them, I think it fits, and that's not a compliment.
Take 'New Super Hook Girl' for example, a freeware game, shorter than Elechead, but with fundamental differences, such as:
- Showing the most fundamental mechanics in a very short first level.
- Having very diverse levels (only 5) where even if the mechanics are the same, don't feel the same.
- And the most painful one: it doesn't drag on.
ElecHead doesn't trust in itself enough, to the point where it chooses the path of showing but not going most of the time. The difficulty of the puzzle solutions feels adequate, but that happens very late, when the way of solving them is A) unique; or B) open. In comparison, everything before some of the last rooms is just rudimentary.
Sometimes I think that avoiding to put stuff related to humanity in videogames can cause coldness. Even the few instructions that are given to the player feel like it's sent via machine from an uninterested authority.
It may be useful to work in a videogame that way, if that guarantees concentration and continued results, yeah. But if a game is about going from A to B, repeatedly, it needs more drama.
Take 'New Super Hook Girl' for example, a freeware game, shorter than Elechead, but with fundamental differences, such as:
- Showing the most fundamental mechanics in a very short first level.
- Having very diverse levels (only 5) where even if the mechanics are the same, don't feel the same.
- And the most painful one: it doesn't drag on.
ElecHead doesn't trust in itself enough, to the point where it chooses the path of showing but not going most of the time. The difficulty of the puzzle solutions feels adequate, but that happens very late, when the way of solving them is A) unique; or B) open. In comparison, everything before some of the last rooms is just rudimentary.
Sometimes I think that avoiding to put stuff related to humanity in videogames can cause coldness. Even the few instructions that are given to the player feel like it's sent via machine from an uninterested authority.
It may be useful to work in a videogame that way, if that guarantees concentration and continued results, yeah. But if a game is about going from A to B, repeatedly, it needs more drama.
What a charming little puzzle game. You have to creatively use electricity to power certain obstacles in order to reach goals. Beautiful pixel art and a cool soundtrack to fit the vibe of the game. Puzzles were just the right amount of difficult. Heavy reccomend, very creative.
For a game made by a single college student, I have to say that he did an amazing job.
This feels like a game that could've been on the SNES, as this game has a unique puzzle gameplay. I think the game getting you use your head to figure out solutions to making sure Elecheads... head, impacts the walls/ceilings/platforms to activate/deactivate objects that are both harmless and deadly.
The games only song is great as it's a simple loop but is catchy enough to remember.
The game is great in puzzle design and surprisingly doesn't have a single enemy that attempts to stop you from progressing any time in this game, as any objects/environments that are deadly can only be caused to activate and destroy you are due to your own mistake as you have to understand what you did incorrect in a certain puzzle.
The games 2 endings are interesting in their concepts as the good ending is actually unexpected and can be seen as a bad ending, but also hilarious, but if you look it through the eyes/mind of (bare with me, any ai movie where a robot has gained sentience, and they decide that the issue is humans) you understand why the ending might be considered good in context of solar system.
Elechead (after having collected all golden key cards) decides to connect his head to destroy planet earth and humanity as in this timeline, humans have seemed to have harnessed the power of the Sun, but as human greed always is, they overuse it to where it's killing the solar system, so in order to save the sun and make sure even if there's a solution for humans to get other energy sources, Elechead decides to fire the laser at Earth destroying it from existence, but saving the Sun.
As for the bad ending the context is very clear, and just by how the game uses the electricity angle, to establish how the world has run out of energy and elechead is the only with said energy, and the bad ending entails him using his head to power earth once again. In context, throughout the game you find other Elecbots who are tapped out of energy or have been destroyed, this tells us that they either failed the puzzle room they were in, or they ran out of energy. With the bad ending, Elechead plugging himself into the generator to power the planet is a futile effort as, like his predessors, he too will be tapped out and Earth again will no longer have electricity.
Now obviously this is just theorizing on my part but considering how both ending can viewed in both a positive and negative light is really good story telling with hidden details to support both sides of the argument.
I honestly hope the developer makes more games, not necessarily a sequel, but I wish him all the best with his ventures in the video gaming industry.
I recommend Elechead if you want a fun, retro styled puzzle game :D
This feels like a game that could've been on the SNES, as this game has a unique puzzle gameplay. I think the game getting you use your head to figure out solutions to making sure Elecheads... head, impacts the walls/ceilings/platforms to activate/deactivate objects that are both harmless and deadly.
The games only song is great as it's a simple loop but is catchy enough to remember.
The game is great in puzzle design and surprisingly doesn't have a single enemy that attempts to stop you from progressing any time in this game, as any objects/environments that are deadly can only be caused to activate and destroy you are due to your own mistake as you have to understand what you did incorrect in a certain puzzle.
The games 2 endings are interesting in their concepts as the good ending is actually unexpected and can be seen as a bad ending, but also hilarious, but if you look it through the eyes/mind of (bare with me, any ai movie where a robot has gained sentience, and they decide that the issue is humans) you understand why the ending might be considered good in context of solar system.
Elechead (after having collected all golden key cards) decides to connect his head to destroy planet earth and humanity as in this timeline, humans have seemed to have harnessed the power of the Sun, but as human greed always is, they overuse it to where it's killing the solar system, so in order to save the sun and make sure even if there's a solution for humans to get other energy sources, Elechead decides to fire the laser at Earth destroying it from existence, but saving the Sun.
As for the bad ending the context is very clear, and just by how the game uses the electricity angle, to establish how the world has run out of energy and elechead is the only with said energy, and the bad ending entails him using his head to power earth once again. In context, throughout the game you find other Elecbots who are tapped out of energy or have been destroyed, this tells us that they either failed the puzzle room they were in, or they ran out of energy. With the bad ending, Elechead plugging himself into the generator to power the planet is a futile effort as, like his predessors, he too will be tapped out and Earth again will no longer have electricity.
Now obviously this is just theorizing on my part but considering how both ending can viewed in both a positive and negative light is really good story telling with hidden details to support both sides of the argument.
I honestly hope the developer makes more games, not necessarily a sequel, but I wish him all the best with his ventures in the video gaming industry.
I recommend Elechead if you want a fun, retro styled puzzle game :D
This review contains spoilers
Elechead hace algo muy interesante que es recontextualizar el propio juego durante su ultima parte, hasta el punto que la "zona final" es realmente el juego diciendote "oye que realmente tienes que volver a la primera zona del juego pero ahora con poderes extra".
Si no estuviera hecho de una forma bastante frustrante me parecería mejor.
Aun así majete, a lo mejor algun dia consigo el 100%
Si no estuviera hecho de una forma bastante frustrante me parecería mejor.
Aun así majete, a lo mejor algun dia consigo el 100%
This review contains spoilers
cute and has a clever & unique mechanic, but finding the secret pathways at the end was kinda unnecessary and frustrating to me. i think i would have preferred if the game had sticked to the linear exploration OR embraced more the metroidvania aspects,, having both of those things feels kinda....weird
Simple but very effective little puzzle platformer. Honestly, more games should let you throw your own head around.
Tower of Heaven but it costs money
Not a lot here in the best way. A mechanic explored almost to its limit with all the fat trimmed off. Will likely go through it again to get all the collectables.
The soundtrack is also excellent.
The soundtrack is also excellent.
Creative and original idea, cleverly executed.
The game is short, but there is no filler in the puzzles design. Every room presents a fresh idea. Very very good.
The game is short, but there is no filler in the puzzles design. Every room presents a fresh idea. Very very good.
Short and sweet, extremely strong and well-designed. Gets in, has a good time, and gets out before it gets old. Love it.
In 1 word: delightful.
In more words, Elechead is game that knows exactly what it is. It's snappy and precise gameplay make the movement feel so satisfying. The head-throwing feels great and becomes so intuitive and the ability to power different parts of the room is very unique and a fun concept.
I was surprised to see it wasn't level based but more room based similar to Celeste but with designated checkpoints that can, cleverly, sometimes play into the puzzle of the room itself. Although the checkpoints were placed so that sometimes I'd die and go a couple rooms back and have to repeat rooms I didn't die in.
Rides the line of difficult perfectly. Most of the rooms I was able to "solve" in real time as I completed them but a far number of rooms left me staring at the screen wondering "How do I pull this off?". And respawning is super fast so it doesn't feel too punishing.
Secrets were well hidden and satisfying, I found about half on my first way through and went back for the remainder.
As far as it's length, I think it's ideal. It left me wanting more, but I think that's far preferable to it over staying its welcome. If it was longer, I'd like to see a couple more mechanics introduced but I think it nailed it.
If you're into timing based puzzle platformers, absolutely worth giving this a try!
In more words, Elechead is game that knows exactly what it is. It's snappy and precise gameplay make the movement feel so satisfying. The head-throwing feels great and becomes so intuitive and the ability to power different parts of the room is very unique and a fun concept.
I was surprised to see it wasn't level based but more room based similar to Celeste but with designated checkpoints that can, cleverly, sometimes play into the puzzle of the room itself. Although the checkpoints were placed so that sometimes I'd die and go a couple rooms back and have to repeat rooms I didn't die in.
Rides the line of difficult perfectly. Most of the rooms I was able to "solve" in real time as I completed them but a far number of rooms left me staring at the screen wondering "How do I pull this off?". And respawning is super fast so it doesn't feel too punishing.
Secrets were well hidden and satisfying, I found about half on my first way through and went back for the remainder.
As far as it's length, I think it's ideal. It left me wanting more, but I think that's far preferable to it over staying its welcome. If it was longer, I'd like to see a couple more mechanics introduced but I think it nailed it.
If you're into timing based puzzle platformers, absolutely worth giving this a try!
Elechead's seamless level design maximizes the potential of its excellent central mechanic and many clever ideas, while striking a perfect balance between brisk pacing and challenging puzzles. Additionally, the chiptune music is well done, the collectibles do a great job rewarding smart play, and the (minimal) story/setting is charming. Oh, and it does all this in roughly 2 hours! What a fantastic little puzzle platformer.
Lovely little platformer, with a neat pace of new ideas to work with. A couple of moments where pixel-perfect precision is required, and some unclear signposting that forced me to turn to a walkthrough, knock the star off.
Really cute, smart puzzle platformer. Perfect pacing, perfect length and perfect difficulty. My only gripe with it is that I wish it were a little more visually interesting.
Great simple puzzle platformer. Reminds me a bit of Donkey Kong '94 for Gameboy. The electricity mechanic is neat.
Enjoyable, short little platforming puzzler with very simple mechanics used in some interesting ways. Some levels were definitely challenging but not because precision was needed. Once we figured it out and had the light bulb moment (heh), we immediately felt like we should've noticed the solution sooner. The way the game's two potential endings wrap up are well worth seeking out on your own without looking up spoilers. Leaves you with a little something to chew on that you don't normally get in a game like this that seemingly has no narrative whatsoever attached to it.
Short and sweet!
Good puzzles and cool mechanic, with new ideas and interactions being thrown in for the whole duration.
-------- SPOILER ALLERT --------
Played about 47 minutes to get the secret ending (got it first because i backtracked) then continued to play for more 2hrs in a bit to get the normal ending, getting the collectables was cool and my attention and backtracking felt rewarded by the secret areas and ending
Good puzzles and cool mechanic, with new ideas and interactions being thrown in for the whole duration.
-------- SPOILER ALLERT --------
Played about 47 minutes to get the secret ending (got it first because i backtracked) then continued to play for more 2hrs in a bit to get the normal ending, getting the collectables was cool and my attention and backtracking felt rewarded by the secret areas and ending
Great 2D platform/puzzle game. Charming graphics, great soundtrack, and very digestible. Really enjoyed playing through this the last few evenings. Rewarding achievements and secret hunting throughout. Absolutely worth checking out.
A good puzzle platformer that makes good use of an interesting mechanic and doesn't overstay its welcome. It also suffers from irritating design choices that were somewhat frustrating. Awesome game nonetheless.
Short, sweet, and satisfying. While the path to 100% completion only spans a few hours, it's a few hours that are packed with clever puzzles and platforming challenges. I picked this up since I was itching for some no-frills platforming, and ElecHead definitely delivered.
Just a solid short puzzle game that excels at making you feel clever.
This review contains spoilers
Had a blast when it was a chill clever puzzle-platformer, then actively disliked it once it blew up into a small-scale Metroidvania with no map. There are two ways to finish the game - one is to get back to a secret path at the start of the game and the other is to get the 20 collectible chips and access a locked door near the end. I never figured out how to do the former and the latter requires you to basically replay the entire game hunting for secret pathways (the game also tracks some chips but not all of them, weirdly) as well as find an EXTREMELY hidden upgrade. It was annoying enough to wipe out the good will that the first couple hours of it gave me, and frankly I ended up pretty negative on the whole thing as a result, despite the fact that it is like 70% great.
What a delightful game. Finished it in an afternoon, then went back through almost the whole game to find all the collectibles. I love a short game, but I do think there was some untapped potential here — felt like the game was over right as the puzzles were getting tough, there wasn't much left to do after getting the optional upgrade. Still, I'd rather be left wanting more than feeling like a game overstayed it's welcome. I do want more though.
pretty good for what it is
A very short but awesome experience. The level design is masterful and perfectly explores every combination of the game's systems.
*chef's kiss*
I'm mindful that I might end up writing something that takes longer to write and/or read than it would take a person to just play the entirety of the game in question, so, short and snappy. Here goes!
ElecHead! It's a puzzle-platformer which establishes a tiny handful of core mechanics in the first, like, 4 minutes, pats you on the back and throws you at a series of challenges which are solved through the clever use of electricity. I really like this style of game design: nothing against the alternatives, of course, but I really enjoy games which hand you a small number of central mechanics at the start and test your growing understanding and mastery of them over time by only changing the environment in which they are challenged, rather than serving you a slowly expanding set of skills.
Nama, the game's developer and designer, clearly established the central mechanics available to the player early on, because it's really impressive how incredibly well designed the challenge in this game is. The game is given a genuinely satisfying and enjoyable difficulty curve through level design alone, gently introducing new environmental hazards and mechanics at a pretty even pace, which all tie in to the central electricity mechanic that the player has direct influence over.
ElecHead is really a masterclass in how to do so, so, so much with so little; I felt like I was still learning more and more about the game right up until the finish, and having an absolutely wonderful time with the process of learning the entire time. Also, it needs mentioning, Nama has a really delightful sense of humour that comes across in the mechanics and some of the smaller details of the game (including one particularly devious puzzle that I won't spoil).
There's some really nice environmental narrative stuff going on, and a particularly entertaining secret ending that's a reward for some fairly enjoyable secret hunting. The soundtrack is really nicely composed, and complements well with the process of thinking your way through some of the trickier puzzles that might have you stumped for a little bit; but it's never a tiresome experience, overall. There's even some leaning into some interesting meta-mechanics which I feel were used sparingly, and really show an interesting lens on game design. It all comes together and, in a sentence, produces a really interesting and compelling gameplay experience with so little chaff and a huge amount to love!
Nama is absolutely a game designer you ought to keep your eye on.
ElecHead! It's a puzzle-platformer which establishes a tiny handful of core mechanics in the first, like, 4 minutes, pats you on the back and throws you at a series of challenges which are solved through the clever use of electricity. I really like this style of game design: nothing against the alternatives, of course, but I really enjoy games which hand you a small number of central mechanics at the start and test your growing understanding and mastery of them over time by only changing the environment in which they are challenged, rather than serving you a slowly expanding set of skills.
Nama, the game's developer and designer, clearly established the central mechanics available to the player early on, because it's really impressive how incredibly well designed the challenge in this game is. The game is given a genuinely satisfying and enjoyable difficulty curve through level design alone, gently introducing new environmental hazards and mechanics at a pretty even pace, which all tie in to the central electricity mechanic that the player has direct influence over.
ElecHead is really a masterclass in how to do so, so, so much with so little; I felt like I was still learning more and more about the game right up until the finish, and having an absolutely wonderful time with the process of learning the entire time. Also, it needs mentioning, Nama has a really delightful sense of humour that comes across in the mechanics and some of the smaller details of the game (including one particularly devious puzzle that I won't spoil).
There's some really nice environmental narrative stuff going on, and a particularly entertaining secret ending that's a reward for some fairly enjoyable secret hunting. The soundtrack is really nicely composed, and complements well with the process of thinking your way through some of the trickier puzzles that might have you stumped for a little bit; but it's never a tiresome experience, overall. There's even some leaning into some interesting meta-mechanics which I feel were used sparingly, and really show an interesting lens on game design. It all comes together and, in a sentence, produces a really interesting and compelling gameplay experience with so little chaff and a huge amount to love!
Nama is absolutely a game designer you ought to keep your eye on.