➤ Galak-Z: Variant S and Mobile, the review 🎮

Galak-Z: Variant S e Galak-Z: Variant Mobile are the exact same game, respectively in the version for Nintendo Switch and for devices mobile devices iOS and Android. In any case, it is a very welcome return for those who, almost three years ago, appreciated the debut of the roguelike shooter developed by 17-Bit on PC and PS4, the protagonist of an experience that at the time really convinced everyone thanks to the approach ruthless hardcore and the many references to the Japanese anime of the 80s; not least the presence of a spacecraft, the Galak-Z in fact, which could, if necessary, transform itself into a robot.

This particular mechanism has unfortunately disappeared in the new episode, replaced by a system that allows you to choose one or the other configuration to face the missions of a campaign consisting of seventeen sectors, characterized by a degree of challenge gradually higher, where our goal is to recover objects, eliminate enemies and leave the area. There are stages in which the choice between spacecraft or robot is imposed, but in most cases it is possible to proceed as we see fit, naturally paying attention to the damage that the vehicles have suffered in previous shipments, and which must eventually be repaired through use. of virtual currency or waiting a few hours. Well, we're still talking about a title freemium, downloadable for free from eShop, App Store and Google Play, and therefore must obey certain rules in order to monetize.

Approach and challenge

The abandonment of the transformation, which was a strategic element in the gameplay of the original Galak-Z: The Dimensional, leaves room for different but less consistent tactical choices. In fact, there remains a great emphasis on energy shields and their role in each fight, against the background of scenarios generated randomly but which sometimes inevitably end up looking alike. The farther you go, the more cunning, swift and resilient your enemies become, which leads to each duel being approached carefully, throwing yourself head down only when you are sure you are dealing massive damage to your opponent, as well as when the defenses are to the maximum and therefore you have the possibility to take a few hits before the health indicator is actually scratched.

The biggest threat in Galak-Z: Variant S and Mobile, however, is represented by the inertial motion system, which makes it extraordinarily complicated to carry out otherwise trivial actions, such as simply chasing a hostile unit so that it can be destroyed, or hit the target. with lasers equipped by the spacecraft configuration. This aspect has therefore not changed and works hand in hand with all the other elements of the gameplay to build an experience here as well. hardcore, so much so that it is easy to mistake the increased difficulty experienced after completing the first two or three sectors with a paywall. But is this actually the case?

For what is our experience with freemium productions, we can safely say that the 17-Bit title is difficult, at times inevitably frustrating, but it is a similar approach to what we had found on PC and PlayStation 4. Not we are therefore talking about a challenge deliberately made impossible, but a curious mix that on Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android does not set time limits on use and therefore allows you to carry out all the grinding we want, while reserving the greatest rewards for short challenges that arise. as an asynchronous multiplayer (in fact it invades the base of another user) and which need a few hours to recharge, once completed successfully.

Gameplay and outline

How have Galak-Z's mechanics been adapted to work best on the Nintendo console and mobile devices? From an interface point of view you can use the touch screen to make navigating the various menus much easier and faster, at first a bit obscure. There is the hangar where to select the robot or spacecraft configuration of our vehicle, a workshop in which to examine the loot (waiting a few minutes or using hard currency to speed up the times) in order to obtain pieces of equipment or tickets to buy with. the prize crates, the map of available missions, the list of unlocked achievements and related prizes, and finally the screen where you can select and upgrade some droids (obtainable with lootboxes) which, once equipped, allow you to improve the attack, increase speed and more.

The original upgrade system has been translated into this free-to-play version in a traditional but interesting way, also because obtaining new and more powerful weapons or extended health really requires a lot of effort and patience. Choosing to play with the robot or the spaceship implies a very different approach to the action: the first is equipped with a shield that he holds high in front of him, and hits the enemies with a lightsaber, ergo he has to shorten the distances, with a special move that grabs an opponent to throw it towards a teammate or a dangerous surface, such as a lava lake, an explosive or sharp object; the spacecraft instead uses a standard cannon that is effective from medium length (but hitting targets is more complicated), a shield that completely covers the vehicle and a special that launches some homing missiles.

The control system changes depending on the platform, but it is well implemented in all cases: on Switch the reactors are activated using the triggers and attacked with the main buttons, while on the mobile there are large keys to manage fire and reactors, the latter, however, mixed together between "accelerator" and "brake": a solution that in the most heated battles can create some headaches, although the virtual stick on the left side of the touch screen is very precise and reactive, smoothing these edges. Little to say regarding the graphics: the procedural system invariably ends up rendering a little repetitive the scenarios, but otherwise the assets are practically the original ones and this makes us turn up our noses a bit, since we were expecting some news. The music is less brilliant than usual.

Comment

Tested version Nintendo Switch, iPhone Digital Delivery Nintendo eShop, App Store, Google Play Price Free Resources4Gaming.com

7.5

Readers (1)

5.0

Your vote

Galak-Z: Variant S and Mobile intelligently translate the original 17-Bit roguelike shooter experience into a freemium product with many currencies and some waiting time, but a generally permissive structure, which allows you to play freely and without constraints. The high degree of difficulty brings to mind the many imprecations launched at the time of the release on PC and PlayStation 4, but some simplifications and a less ruthless approach (the missions, in the end, are very short and tend to be repetitive) make you lose a bit of a bite to the gameplay, however still well anchored to the inertial system that regulates the movements of our vehicle.