Castle Crashers Review

Platform: Xbox 360
ERSB: T
Genre: Action
Number of Players: 1-4
Developer: The Behemoth
Release Date: August 27, 2008
Writer: Netzach

Rating: 8.75

[b]Let’s go Castle Crashin’ [/b]
A few years ago a little game on the Playstation 2, stole my heart. It was called Alien Hominid. My friends and I played it for hours attempting to finish it. That same game, was developed by the same great men, that developed Castle Crashers for the Xbox 360. So when it was announced I am excited. But the question remains, will this game steal my heart away, or will my heart be broken?

[b]Graphics: [/b]
The graphics of Castle Crashers are clean, crisp, and beautiful. For a society the is always striving for the more realistic, world like look of graphics, it is wonderful that some games can have simple graphics in the form of 2D cell shaded. What make this wonderful is the lack of blockiness of the game, which can come with graphics heavy 3D games. The colors are vivid and bright which adds to the flare of the cartoonish character design of the whole game. The team has stayed true to its look, and it’s nice to see it translated well no mater that genera they are attempting to portray.

[b]Sound: [/b]
As soon as I loaded the game from the dashboard, I was greeted with music that could only be described as epic. I felt like I was being drawn into an epic fantasy adventure from the middle I turned on the game until I turned it off. The music fits the mood and tone of the game to a tee. Each level has its own music to fit the atmosphere of the level instead of the generic music that becomes standard to most arcade games. The sound effects of the game were also a welcome change. The cartoon style of the crash and clank of the sword, or the type of magic that your knight uses followings the whimsical world of this game.

[b]Controls: [/b]
I am a stickler about controls. I need to either go through a tutorial of controls or have a chance to test them out before I begin a game. With that being said, Castle Crashers gave me both. There was time to mash the buttons to my hearts content within the beginning level, or if I wanted to I could talk to any of the NPC character to find out, how to use items, magic or attacks. After doing my investigating, I found that these controls are simple, and easy to remember and use. The great thing about the control scheme, is that when you level up and receive a new combo, they tell you how to do that combo at the bottom of the screen. XXY, or XX or any other combination of attacking and jumping buttons can produce new combos when acquired. What was also a welcome change was the fact that the damage that each attack did was displayed while in battle, which game a player the opportunity to see what attacks were power houses, while other could be classified as just plain weak.

[b]Gameplay and Fun Factor:[/b]
At the very beginning level, I am presented with an very decree option of a tutorial, by visiting the NPC’s around the dinning area of the castle. So I don’t have to go through a mindless, dragged on tutorial This option is wonderful if you are replying the game, or if only one player is learning the basics for the first time, they are able to read quickly and try out the attacks, magic and features quickly, while your comrade can practice while they wait. This leads into my second point, which is loading times. I hate games where the loading times take a day and a half so that I can move from room to room. In Castle Crashers the loading time between each level is minimal. I feel like there is continues action from one stage to the next, and once I am out into the “over world” map (For the lack of a better word), I can quickly move from level to level to level. It’s a fast paced environment where the flow of action is relentless.

Each stage of the game is unique, and the level doesn’t drag on to the point where it becomes monotonous. With each new level set, you are introduced to a new environment, new enemies, and hard difficulty. Also after a level set, there is an opportunity for players to take a break and save. This is also true, if you died while trying to complete a level set.

What makes this game truly unique is the Role-Play Gamer System of leveling. No two characters, played by two different people, are ever alike. You have the choice to put your skill points into one of four areas; strength, magic, defense and speed. These areas will influence your character and their performance within the game. So leveling up your character becomes a fun task, instead of labors. Also by finding the treasures within the game, will also influence your character. Different weaponry, and animal orbs can influence your stats. Some swords can add to magic and decrees you strength, while others can make you a beef-cake, while making you slower then a snail.

What is also great is the fact that I didn’t feel like I had to spend time leveling up in order to continue in the game. It was a smooth transition, instead of trying to beef myself up in order to get through a level.

In terms of storyline, it’s classic. You’re a knight, and your castle has come under siege. You need to save those princess in distress, and save the day. What is great about the story is, lack of dialogue, where you infer the events that are taking place, and the gore that is not standard to most stories of this nature. It’s child like with an adult flavor.

All in all the game play can run you anywhere between three to four hours in length, that is if you go straight through without looking for every item and animal orb. This also depends on the skill level of your partner, the level of the character that they are playing, and the number of people playing.

[b]Replay Value: [/b]
The game has tons of things to find and collect. The animal orbs, and the weapons alone could give you some replay value, but with the achievements, and maxing out your character for online play, if give you tons of reasons to play this game over and over. As well, with its pick up and put down factor, the game can be played for as long or as little time was you wish.

What makes this a true replay gem is the multi-players experience. It is amazing when you play with more then one person, or playing through with a person that is experiencing the game for the first time. Not only do you get to see someone experience it, but you get to play through again, maybe trying another character, and or use the time to level up your already beef-tastic characters.

[b]Problem: [/b]
Now, of course games have flaws, and Castle Crashers is no exception. The biggest flaw for this game was the fact that it deleted my save file. I had finished the game with the Ice Knight, and then when I boot up the game again, it was gone. I was devastated. I had worked so hard on the character, and finished the game with it, and he was gone. Funny thing was, my achievements were still there and finished. So I have proof of finishing the game, yet I didn’t have the leveled up character to prove it.

This deleted character come into my second problem, the online factor. When the game was released and the review was begin written, the online was not up and running. For an arcade game that promises online, it is a drawback. I wanted to play with my friends online, yet, I couldn’t. I couldn’t show off my character, or see theirs. These factors made this reviewer think that the game was rushed to meet the release date. I would have waited if these problems could be fixed. I know every reviewer under the sun has said it, but, release quality, finished games.

[b]Last Word: [/b]
Thought the game does have a major problem with deleting saved files, it is still a fun game to play. I have gone back and played the game, and loved it through and through. My recommendation is to haul out your Xbox points card, or Charge Card, and get this game. With hours of fun, this game is a must for any Xbox 360 arcade collection.