Loads of video games have been launched for the Playdate because it launched in 2022, as a fast browse of itch.io or the Catalog store will attest. But nonetheless, there’s one thing distinctive in regards to the handheld’s seasonal format, which simply kicked off its second iteration. When it first launched, the Playdate got here with 24 video games from notable indie builders that have been steadily launched on a weekly cadence, making an ideal introduction to the little yellow gadget and its crank. Now, a couple of years later, we lastly have season 2, and it’s off to a strong begin — and it even features a weird thriller.
The new season runs for the subsequent six weeks and totals a dozen video games, two of which can drop every week. The total assortment will run you $39. To begin, we now have a pair of very completely different video games. Fulcrum Defender, from FTL: Faster Than Light developer Subset Games, is type of like a contemporary tackle Asteroids. You management a little bit ship within the center and fireplace weapons at little squares flying towards you. The twist is that you just use the crank to rotate the ship round and intention your photographs. There’s additionally one thing of a roguelike component, the place you steadily unlock random upgrades like new weapons or a bigger unfold to your bullets. The objective is to final for 10 straight minutes.
It’s a reasonably difficult sport — up to now, I’ve solely actually had success on straightforward mode — but it surely’s additionally surprisingly chill, eliciting that type of zen state that the most effective shooters and puzzle video games can create. This is helped by its lo-fi soundtrack that just about calls for you play with headphones on. It’s an absorbing sport.
On the opposite finish of the spectrum is Dig Dig Dino!, developed by Dom2D and Fáyer, who brag that the sport “is ideal to play whereas watching TV! No time strain, no fast reflexes wanted!” It’s a puzzle sport the place you journey to completely different dig websites to uncover dinosaur bones, artifacts, and trash. You solely have a restricted quantity of strikes per dig, however you’ll be able to improve your capability over time — whereas additionally getting new instruments to smash rocks or dig deeper — letting you dig each extra and for longer. It’s type of like a extremely cute tackle Minesweeper, one clearly designed for brief play periods. It’s not precisely tough, however there’s nonetheless one thing satisfying about uncovering a big dinosaur bone once you’re nearly to expire of strikes.
These two video games do a very good job of exhibiting the breadth of video games potential on the Playdate; one is supposed for fast bursts, the opposite for longer, extra centered periods. But the launch week bundle is rounded out by one thing an entire lot weirder. It’s referred to as Blippo Plus and, nicely, it’s a collection of TV channels you’ll be able to flip between utilizing the crank. Some are nothing however static, whereas others have large FMV movies of unusual TV reveals or commercials. One present, referred to as Tantric Computing, is nothing however closeup photographs of somebody utilizing a pc mouse. Another, Werf’s Tavern, is a few form of musical discuss present. There’s additionally a messaging software and a few form of fax service.
What’s most fascinating about Blippo Plus, although, isn’t simply that it’s odd. It’s additionally a thriller that looks like it would evolve over the course of the season. Playdate maker Panic says that “Playdate season 2 house owners ought to tune in weekly and ensure they’re linked to WiFi when season 2 updates at 10 AM PT on Thursdays.” There are a lot of different promising video games deliberate for season 2, together with the point-and-click journey Shadowgate PD and regardless of the heck Long Puppy and Tiny Turnip are.
But an FMV thriller that unfolds over the course of weeks is one thing that’s fairly distinctive to this format — and additional proof that the Playdate exists in its personal parallel universe.
