|
 Scaler
is one of the best budget-priced titles I've played
all year. A solid platformer with great graphics and
an otherwise top-notch presentation, Scaler could
go head-to-head with the big boys some of which are
more than twice the price.
Scaler
tells the tale of an unlikely hero. Bobby Jenkins
is your average teenage bum. He digs lizards, skateboarding
and farting. He uncovers a bizarre plot for domination
of the universe and beyond. It seems someone has control
of a portal that can transport people and creatures
through different dimensions across the Multiverse
- which is a composite of countless universes. The
evil Looger plans to employ an army of mutated lizards
to help do his bidding. Bobby gets sucked into the
vortex and becomes one of the lizards. He finds that
he's got some pretty neat powers at his disposal that
he can use to foil Looger's plans.
If
the story sounds kind of complex that's only because
I'm trying to explain it in a few sentences. The story
is revealed at a good pace with the requisite twists
and turns in every level. It's easy to follow and
is supported with a good dose of humor.
As
a lizard you will have certain lizard-like moves available
to you. You can climb walls, hand on ledges, double
jump, employ stealth and use your claws and tongue
as weapons. For the most part you will just use your
tongue. It will kill small creatures and stun larger
ones. It's invaluable when enemies surround you in
droves. Claws come in handy for larger creatures,
especially bosses where the tongue is rendered useless.
 Klokkies
and Crystal Gems are the game's currency. You are
awarded Klokkies after kills and when you accomplish
an objective. They float around the environment like
dandelion fluff and must be collected. Crystal Gems
have to be discovered. They are worth the equivalent
of 500 Klokkies. You can use them to purchase upgrades
such as more health or more powerful attacks. You
will need to collect a specific amount of Gems to
clear each level. Sometimes you may have to backtrack
through the map to find more. There's always something
interesting to find in the levels when exploring.
You're never alone for very long.
One
original feature of the game is the ability to change
into one of the enemy characters. This evolutionary
element grants us different powers and abilities which
gives more depth to the gameplay. One creature can
curl up into a spiked ball and mow down enemies while
another can fly like a bat and discharge a sonar attack.
Transforming into the different characters is as simple
as pushing a button.
I
really like the simplistic control scheme. You're
not overwhelmed with a variety of moves and weapons,
yet you never feel like you don't have enough. The
game is just challenging enough to allow you to be
creative with what you have instead of searching through
a massive inventory or punching a button code for
the exact item to deal with the situation.
 With
living, breathing backgrounds, smooth animation and
a colorful cartoon presentation the graphics are nothing
short of amazing for a game in this price range. With
moving plants and little creatures going about their
daily business the levels are a hive of activity,
not just a static backdrop. The music is good and
the voiceovers are well written and well acted. There's
not much replay value unless you want to collect all
100 of the Crystal Gems but it should take an average
gamer a week or two to finish if they play an hour
here and there. Highly recommended for the price;
recommended for a rental at any price.
|
You'd
think the world would have had enough of silly games
starring lovable talking creatures, but apparently
this is not the case. Case in point: A2M's Scaler
which pits Bobby Jenkins against his evil next door
neighbor. It would appear that this neighbor is plotting
to take over the world by training all of the earth's
lizard to become his mutant army.
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