Developer: AwesomeGamesStudio
Website: http://oozi-game.blogspot.com
Release Date: 3/25/11
Genre: Platformer
Violence: 1/3
Sex: 0/3
Mature: 0/3
Price: 80 MSP
To start things off Oozi is introduced in an animated comic book style video explaining why it isn't so good to run out of gas in space. Oozi's spaceship crashes to Earth, leaving him almost naked and transport-less. A weak start but the story really doesn't matter and isn't really missed.
Once the first level has loaded, you can see the game looks fantastic. The artwork is all hand drawn giving the game a vibrant and unique appearance. Crafting every image shows the developer's attention to detail; everything from the slight movement of leaves to the blank stare a dead enemy gives you as it blinks from existence. The only unattractive element is the lack of variation. Every level looks the same as the last. Whilst this episode represents only one of several worlds, after an hour it left me wanting somewhere new to play.
The game really holds your hand. Interactive signs will explain all the important game mechanics and tell you how to move forward. This seemed somewhat unnecessary to me because I've played this game before and odds are so have you. The line between “inspired by” or “homage” and “shameless rip off” is a little blurred here. The game plays almost exactly the same as the original Super Mario Bros. You run at a similar speed, Oozi has the same floating high jump, you kill things when you land on them and instead of coins you have colored stars. This game has a long list of similarities but what is important is where it differs. The addition of a limited health system and infinite lives makes the game more accessible. There are no power ups--you earn your abilities as you progress. The levels feature more vertical variation, keeping your pace in check. Sharp descents or climbing sections can hide a number of perils.
Oozi finishes up around the one and a half hour mark with a satisfying boss fight and a not so satisfying “see you later” splash screen. Originally the game was supposed to ship complete with all worlds but did not because of the team's desire to maintain the 80 msp price point. The change in plans also meant the first world could be released while the rest of the worlds are being worked on. This might seem somewhat cheap but this game gives at least an hours worth of play for a buck. “Call of Duty” doesn't deliver the same ratio. In addition to the story, there are also 7 challenge levels and the arcade mode. The challenge levels are not easy and I recommend completing the game first if you want to meet all of your objectives. The arcade mode isn't any easier giving you a single, delicate life and a time limit on your next checkpoint. These game modes are for the precise and practiced player. Unfortunately the game does not feature leaderboards. Any accomplishments through arcade and challenge modes will only be appreciated by you.
Audio plays a significant role in any game and the design shows an acknowledgment of this. The music is pretty and unobtrusive, the quiet chime from collecting stars is satisfying and jumping on an enemy's face is almost cute. The worst thing I can say is Oozi himself sounds unpleasant. The “Let's Go!” battle cry when you spawn sounds out of place and harshly contrasts with the rest of the audio. During his throes of death Oozi sounds more like a giant squirrel someone squeezed too hard ... but maybe that's how interstellar delivery boys sound?
Oozi's adventure borrows liberally from its 27 year old predecessor, but in this case imitation is certainly the sincerest form of flattery. It looks fantastic, it progresses smoothly and the attention to detail across the board really pushes it ahead of the crowd. The game is just good; a great stepping stone for what the guys at AwesomeGamesStudio are doing. So is this game worth buying?
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