For the past few weeks,
there has been tons of new games that have been unleashed upon the gaming world.
It seems like the majority of these games have been platforming games. Even
though this seems to be the case, the latest game by Global Star Software, is a
solid entry into the fold, and even gets more points for being a budget friendly
title. Read on to find out more about this quirky platforming game.
In a freak accident the brilliant scientist Leon accidentally creates a device
that allows portals to open that connects planets together, and transport to
them at any given time. This device transports him into a bizarre dimension
where he meets the evil Looger. Looger and his organization steal this
technology from Leon and modified it to suit their own malicious purposes. They
finally perfect the technology and break into our world, but before they can
complete their plan they are found out by Bobby Jenkins. They tie him up and
question him, when all of a sudden the device goes haywire and a bolt of light
hits him. At that moment he transforms and becomes Scaler the lizard then
transported to an alternate dimension. The question remains can you take down
the evil Looger and restore the universe back to normal?
Shocking isn’t it?
Players take on the role
of the young Bobby “Scaler” Jenkins, who is a twelve year old kid who loves to
skateboard and loves everything about lizards. After his transformation he will
have a few abilities. First he will be able to climb up walls due to his sharp
claws. He will be able to camouflage himself and sneak by many different
enemies. Then he will ride down a vine, and it is here where players charge up
their electric bomb attack. The tongue attack is really quick, and destroys
smaller enemies and stuns larger ones. Since Scaler has sharp claws it makes
sense to use them to take out many different enemies in a flash. One of his best
attacks, and my favorite, is the elective bomb attack as it takes out many
enemies things in its radius.
In addition to Scalers razor sharp claws and tongue, players will have the
ability to transform into several of the enemies that he encounters, and even
use their same abilities. First one you will be able to transform into is the
Bakudan, which gives you the abilities to use bombs and open up different
barriers with those bombs. When you turn into Krock you will be able to doing a
rolling spin attack and knock though barriers. Doozum allows you to fly around
the maps and use its powerful sonar attack. These are just a few of the
different enemies he will be able to turn into, and each opens up new parts of
the levels, and makes the game more enjoyable.
Gotta love the ability to throw bombs.
Just like any platforming
game that you have ever played the objectives that the players will have to do
will remain the same. To get through each level players will have to collect a
certain amount of lizard eggs. Scaler’s currently in the form of Klokkies and
Crystal Gems, and when players collect enough they will be able to purchase such
upgrades as more health, strong claws, and even more energy attacks.
The graphics for this game look pretty well. Each of the fifteen different
locations that you will visit looks different from each other. The easiest way
to put this is that it looks very similar to a cartoon. All of the backgrounds
are detailed with bright and “loud” colors that stand out. The animation for the
characters is really well done, and looks very nice, especially the
transformations scenes. You can transform from one form to another in a matter
of seconds, and it never disrupts the gameplay. The particle effects are nicely
done, and provide some extra flare to this game.
Just sliding around a vine.
For a budget title game, I
really have to applaud the camera and framerate for it. The camera for many
games of this nature can kill the game dead in its tracks. Since you are always
doing so many things in this game, such as trying to avoid enemies lunging
towards you and ride around the level on the “rails”, players might think that
the camera would be sub par, but this game’s camera always keeps up with the
players which make this game more enjoyable. The framerate for this game is
really good and rarely dips, which means that even when you are in the midst of
battle, you will never loose your place, so you won’t take unnecessary damage.
The sound effects for Scaler are pretty well done, but it is sad that this game
doesn’t feature Dolby Digital in any form. Everything that your ears will hear
really seems to fit with the “Scaler universe” from the explosions to the sound
of Scaler’s tongue taking out different enemies. The voice acting for this game
was well done, the actors take the script seriously and that is conveyed all
throughout the game. The music for this game is adequate enough and seems to fit
with the overall theme that this game has.
Scaler is rated E for Everyone for cartoon violence.
Review Scoring Details for Scaler |
Gameplay: 7.7
The game has some quirks to it. Such as the ability to transform into certain
enemies and gain their powers, and even get around portions of the level on
“rails.” There is enough action going on here to keep your little gamers busy
for some time.
Graphics: 7.6
For a budget title this game looks pretty nice. The environments are varied
enough from each other and have a very nice and colorful appearance. The
animation that all of the characters have is really nice as well.
Sound: 7.7
The music for this game is adequate enough. The sound effects provide the amount
of excitement one might expect from a game like this. The voiceovers are pretty
decent and fit the game pretty well.
Difficulty: Easy
It is obvious that Scaler was developed for the younger gamers in mind, as I
found this game extremely easy to beat.
Concept: 7.9
This is a decent platforming game, with a quirky story. It is nice to be able to
transform into some of the enemies that gives you extra powers though.
Overall: 7.7
If you are on a limited budget and need a game for the kiddies, than
look no further than Scaler! This game is very mild in nature and very “kid
friendly” in comparison to many of the other games currently on the market.
