Beeny is a sitcom-length 2D platformer, however one which’s solely 99 cents. At that price range worth, there’s nothing to lose by grabbing it. It’s fairly good for what it’s. Finish of assessment.
What, want extra element? Truthful sufficient, I’ll attempt. In Beeny, you play because the titular flightless bee rolling throughout a handful of brief ranges seeking honey. However how else will your Kiwi pal, occupied of their workshop, safe the planks for the raft they’re constructing? The story’s unexceptional however wonderful for the style whereas additionally establishing a future recreation.
As soon as the rolling and hopping mechanic clicks, you’ll end up rapidly ascending by the vertical ranges. How rapidly? I beat the sport in about 25 minutes. What few enemies exist are extra nuisances than real threats; it’s all about vertical platforming. There may be some unlockable replay worth, however these are ranges which you can beat in a minute or much less, albeit with a lot apply and problem.
What may assist the brief size really feel extra satisfying? How concerning the choice to make the sport tougher? If Beeny falls, a trio of bigger bees will catch him; there is no such thing as a solution to disable this. Whereas it’s a pleasant function, it ought to be elective. Degree-specific collectibles would’ve additionally gone an enormous approach and will’ve helped the sport really feel extra various, explorable, and replayable.
Beeny nails its presentation, although, so I wouldn’t be stunned if some replayed it simply to soak up the sights and sounds. The “early 90s prerendered graphics” (suppose Donkey Kong Nation) are a pleasure to take a look at. Orange and purple skies peeking by the leaves, falling rain or snow, and good use of vivid colour are a number of the highlights. And being a 2D platformer, it avoids the issue of a subpar digicam that plagued the developer’s earlier Toree 3D. Some very nice music accompanies the visuals, additionally. It may be jazzy or chill, nevertheless it’s nearly at all times a nice asset.
A selected degree I ought to contact on is ‘Silent Guests.’ These foggy treetops are loaded with skeletons and a number of severed heads chasing you whereas unsettling music and sound results play. It’s ridiculously inconsistent, each in tone and mechanically, with the remainder of the sport. As such, it takes away from Beeny reasonably than including to it. Very jarring and odd.
Beeny is aware of what it’s, and the 99-cent worth displays that. Whereas fairly good might be essentially the most it may hope for with its scant content material, it’s enjoyable whereas it lasts. The pleasant graphics and music actually assist, too.