Release Date: 30/08/2014
Played On: PS4
Available On: Linux / Mac / PS3 / PS4 / WiiU / Win / XBO
Time Played: 1hr
Progress: All challenges and a couple of mulitplayer sessions
Developer: Breakfall
Publisher: Breakfall
It's very rare that I get to spend any amount of time with a game that focuses primarily on couch multiplayer. You might already know that I don't spend a lot of time playing multiplayer games in general, let alone local multiplayer. So I'm pretty stoked to be able to talk about Starwhal at all, let alone actually having played it.
Please note however, that the screenshots included in this post are from the single player component of the game, as I didn't have the opportunity to capture anything in multiplayer. To be honest, if I get the opportunity to play against someone on the same couch, the last thing I'm thinking of is making sure that I capture some good screenshots.
As an aside, I find it funny that these days every game is expected to have online multiplayer as a standard of the times. There are obvious reasons why, as it's so much easier to find other people to play with online than in the same physical space, but the experiences are so far removed from one another that I've always preferred the couch variety.
The reason I stay away from a lot of online multiplayer is because I can think of a million things I'd rather do than have some squeaky ten-year-old yell abusive things at me via their shitty headset microphone. Alternatively, the reason I love couch multiplayer is because there's nothing more fun than sitting next to someone you know and smack-talking everything you do throughout the game. Even playing single player games "with" someone else beside you can enhance the experience as you both get to figure things out together and share in your accomplishments.
Although, as I already mentioned, finding an actual person to sit down and play a game with me in the same room is virtually impossible. Especially because most of my family and social circle aren't all that interested in games anyway, so I’m not about to force them into some weird obligated labour for my own entertainment.
Hence, when I do get the opportunity to play something with someone in the same room, I'm always down for whatever's on the menu. As it happens, there have been a couple of short occasions where I've had my PS4 at a friend's house and we've fired up Starwhal for a laugh. After all, this is the kind of game that you have to play with someone to understand how funny and enjoyable it can be.
The concept is simple, as you're given control of a space faring narwhal. You have a horn with which to poke others, and an exposed heart that's vulnerable to being poked. What follows are a series of short rounds in simple arenas where you and a friend can struggle against some simple mechanics as you try and poke the other with your mighty horn.
I say "struggle" as this is definitely one of those games where half the fun comes from the control systems being a bit shit. There are actually only two things you can do: push a button to propel your starwhal forward and/or move your analogue stick to change direction. Seeing as you can only poke your enemy's heart by hitting them precisely with your long unwieldy horn, it actually takes a little finesse and practice to gain any kind of control at all.
What's more, each arena has a range of different layouts, hazards, and physics that will make life a little more difficult. Some have air currents that shoot you in a set direction. Some have moving platforms that mess up your momentum. Others have different elements that will hurt and hinder your progress.
As you can see in the screenshots in this post, there are also a set of solo challenges to tackle when you don't have anyone to play with. It's typical challenge fair, as you'll be tasked with hitting everything within a time limit, or the vastly different format of reaching a location within a time limit. They might appear simple, but playing through the challenge levels actually helped me become more accustomed to the controls. By the time I was done with them I felt confident that I could get my starwhal to move just about where I wanted them to.
Aside from some cosmetic customisation options, there really isn't a whole lot else to Starwhal, but there really doesn't need to be. Recently we've seen a bunch of excellent local multiplayer games pop up, and many have realised that a simple game is often a good game. When I'm sitting down with a friend, I don't want to have a fifty hour experience ahead; I'd much rather have five minutes of madness and laughs.
Indeed, the highest praise I can give Starwhal is that within its crazy colour schemes and basic art style, there's so much fun to be had. I've played with two different people on two different occasions, and both times we were cracking up throughout. When I think of what I want out of a quick local multiplayer game to play with a friend, Starwhal ticks all the boxes.
Not only is it short and a lot of fun to play, but it manages to balance out the difference between experienced players and total newbies. Thanks to the intentionally simplistic, but difficult control scheme, everyone has a chance of winning, regardless of their skill level. Considering that half the battle to get someone onto the couch and playing a game is often the steep learning curve, I applaud any game that can be picked up within seconds by just about anyone.
Sure Starwhal is small, and it looks a little funky, but there's a lot of fun to be had with this odd little multiplayer game. I'm pretty sure I'll be leaving it on my PS4 as long as I can, just in case anyone is ever around and wants to fire it up for a quick game. At least I know we'll be laughing and enjoying ourselves within seconds.