[REVIEW] Gonner (Switch)

Gonner
Played on: Switch
Genre: Action platformer
Developer: Art in Heart
Publisher: Raw Fury

Handheld devices (or, in the case of the Switch, hybrid ones) lend themselves pretty well to twitchy, arcade-like games. As far as the Switch's rapidly growing library goes, few games will manage to scratch that quick gameplay itch as formidably as Gonner, a tough but fair platformer with a super stylish presentation.

It's hard to grasp the story, as the game mostly uses images to convey its plot, but basically you're playing as someone who is apparently dead. Initially starting with a limited set of abilities, you're soon able to find replacements for your gun, backpack, and head (yep), which then become available from the get go for each new run you attempt.

These items aren't necessarily better; instead, they're different, allowing you to approach the problems in the game in different manners. You may, for example, get a head that allows you to float mid-air, or a gun that's stronger but slower and with less ammo, or a backpack that gives you a super jump.  An annoying problem is that, given the game's quiet approach, you're never explicitly told what each new item does, having to find out through trial and error by donning them yourself.

Luckily, doing so can be loads of fun. The game is divided into worlds, each of them containing a main theme scattered through a few procedurally-generated levels and a boss. Aside from the items that allow you to customize your abilities, there are hidden stages that put each world's theme to good use in a specific fashion. The controls are extremely tight, ensuring every death is your fault and yours alone, whereas the physics have a pleasant cartoonish edge to them.

Then there's the game's presentation, which is like the cherry on top of a tasty sunday. The graphics are stylish and unique, while the music is nothing short of phenomenal. There's a specific hub stage theme that made me, on several occasions, delay entering the passage that would lead me actual game, just so I could listen to its awesome twitches and throbs a bit longer.

TL;DR:

Gonner is a hard game, but one that gets addictive enough to ensure your perseverance. The extremely tight platforming gameplay is further enhanced by pretty graphics and an incredible soundtrack, making a very attractive package for those looking for an arcade-like experience to play in short bursts.