Scram Kitty and His Buddy on Rails
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Critic Reviews for Scram Kitty and His Buddy on Rails
Scram Kitty and His Buddy On Rails is a wonderfully idiosyncratic creation that, despite its smorgasbord of influences, feels like nothing else. It's also a game that ignores current design fashions: there is no overarching list of achievements, there are no sideshow systems or alternative stages to upset its rhythms, no adornments to distract from the core task. For some, the lack of variety combined with the stiff challenge will be too much. (Even for competent players, this is a game that requires such a degree of concentration that it's best played in short bursts.) For others, the steepness of the initial learning curve will throw them from the rails before they get anywhere. But for those who master its controls, there is glorious opportunity for showboating play; it's a game built with admirable craft and singular focus, and it richly rewards your investment.
A fantastic new arcade game in the best traditions of Treasure, that takes plenty of inspiration from older classics but has just as many new ideas of its own.
Kitties have claws, and kitties scratch. Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Rails certainly does this through its difficulty and unique controls. Yet cats also have a unique trait: for all their peculiar habits, their demanding nature and their tendency to puke in the hallway overnight, they're inescapably lovable because of what they are. Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Rails, with its strange design and riveting gameplay, echoes this side of the feline personality, too. Captivating stuff.
As I sit hear wondering how to wrap up this review, a definite thought crosses my mind. If you want to have a lovely gaming experience where you get fluffy kitties for free, plug Animal Crossing back into your 3DS; however, If you want to yell, spit, grow chest hair and really EARN your fluffy kitties, buy Scram Kitty and His Rail Buddies, as the game is surprisingly addictive as it is rage inducing and fun all at the same time.
While it's probably not a top tier download title, Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Rails is still an entertaining and fun game, with big, challenging levels and have plenty to do. Being able to go to pretty much any level you want, as well as not necessarily having to save all cats in one go are nice positives, but because of several unfair situations, some awkward control setup issues and one instance where we got stuck, we would warn prospective buyers to be slightly cautious. At least two of those issues can be easily fixed with potential updates, however, which we'd hope are in the works. It's certainly worth consideration due to its positives, but doesn't quite sink its claws into the player.
Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Rails is more than a throwback to the 16-bit era, it's an action-packed challenge on rails, guaranteed to keep the most demanding players closely around its simple, yet demanding concept. The jumping mechanics could use a more accessible learning curve, but anyone who plays this will have their entertainment needs properly fulfilled.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
At $10, Scram Kitty and His Buddy on Rails is a solid buy if you love retro gaming and have an affinity for slightly strange game concepts. This shooter/platformer/collect-a-thon is a lot of fun, even if its mechanics take some time to get used to.
Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Rails is a truly original game that obviously required a great deal of thought, passion and creativity, something I really don't get to say nearly enough.
