Revisit old school gaming with Mekazoo (PS4 review)

2D side-scrolling games was once the standard of gaming, with such great classics like Super Mario and Sonic leading the charge. Nearly every game that utilized this mechanic has been replaced with 3D graphics and open world platforms. The Good Mood Creators aims to bring us back into a nostalgic realm with Mekazoo, a simple 2D side-scrolling game set in a simulated 3D world. But it takes more than just creating a world in a 2D side-scrolling game to have us reminiscence the days of difficult games such as Super Mario, and fast-paced sequences like Sonic. Mekazoo ups the difficulty and speed with gameplay that’ll have you scratching your head or pulling your hair as you control one of 5 animals in a world riddled with puzzles. What looks like a cute simple game turns into a wild ride filled with visually stunning worlds full of color and mayhem.

The game begins in an unknown laboratory where you wake up as an armadillo. The first stage acts as the tutorial level and displays the main mechanics of how the game works. Each animal you unlock has different behaviors, for example, the armadillo can spin dash and dash up walls. The platforms also act as launch pads for the armadillo and provide access to different areas of the level. The frog uses its tongue to swing to unreachable areas, normally where other animals cannot reach, and can use flies and wasps as a ledge to reach certain areas. Both animals have unique abilities but can only do so much alone. Once you begin unlocking the animals available, the real challenge begins. Each level is designed to put your skills to the test by completing objectives to earn gems. The key here is mastering each animal’s abilities and using them together to be successful. Since you are only allowed to use two animals at a time, the level pushes the two animals that you will need. In some cases, it can be swapped with another due to the level design, but know what each animal can do and how to combine the two abilities will require lots of practice.

The frustration of each level can be demanding, but it is rewarding once you master the level perfectly to hit that time or collect the last gem. Each level is beautifully designed with many 3D elements. At times you’ll forget you’re playing a 2D side-scrolling game as it shifts perspective as you play. It’ll bring back memories of playing old school Sonic games with its colorful levels and upbeat music. The difference here goes beyond just jumping over an obstacle and collecting coins. Here you’ll find yourself swinging over hazardous levels, dashing through breakable environments, and leaping to great heights. Each level you complete, whether you hit each objective or not, will transition you through the larger stage and eventually to the boss. The boss you defeat will be the next animal you unlock. And once you have all 5 animals unlocked, going through each animal combination will take you back through each level to complete each challenge. Jump and swing, roll and climb, fly and dash, each set of animals brings a new gameplay style that’ll feel like a new experience each time.

Final Reaction

The side-scrolling platform gaming was an era of gaming like no other. Going back to its roots is a challenge in itself, one that The Good Mood Creators took the challenge head on and ran with it far beyond what we experienced back then. Mekazoo is that game that you play to get away from your everyday type of games like FPS or open world games. A trip down memory lane has never felt so sweet, and Mekazoo will hit every memory with a hammer of difficulty and a splash of color. A ride worth taking if you’re up to the challenge.

Rating: 4.5/5 Atoms