Narita Boy

Last updated

Narita Boy
Narita Boy Cover Art.webp
Developer(s) Studio Koba
Publisher(s) Team17
Director(s) Eduardo Fornieles
Producer(s) Chie Wakabayashi
Programmer(s) Robert Casas
Artist(s) Nito Diez
Composer(s) Salvador Fornieles
Engine Unity
Platform(s)
ReleaseMarch 30, 2021 [1]
Genre(s) Action-adventure
Mode(s) Single-player

Narita Boy is a 2021 action-adventure video game developed by Spanish [2] team Studio Koba and published by Team17. The game is an action platformer that follows the titular Narita Boy as he tries to save the Digital Kingdom from the Stallions. [3] The game was released on March 30, 2021 for Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and for Amazon Luna on April 29, 2021. [4]

Contents

Gameplay

Narita Boy is a 2D platformer with Metroidvania elements, as the player explores the Digital Kingdom using their abilities to travel across the level. In each level the player must find "Techno-Keys" which allow the player to access new areas.

There are also various story segments throughout the game, where the player relives the Creator's memories and learns about why he created the Digital Kingdom.

A combat encounter in the game Narita Boy Gameplay.png
A combat encounter in the game

Combat revolves around using the game's Techno Sword in order to defeat enemies, called Stallions. The player can do a standard melee attack by pressing a button, or hold it down in order to do a stronger attack. In combat, the player can also dodge, which avoids enemy attacks, and allows the player to get behind enemies. Alongside these moves, the Techno Sword can be used as a shotgun as a high-damage attack.

Throughout Narita Boy, the player gains access to various abilities such as the Wild Fire attacks. They come in three different colors, which allows the player to do increased damage to enemies of the same color, but also decreases the player's resistance to attacks. Each Wild Fire ability also allows the player to summon one of three NPC companions to fight by the player's side in combat. [5]

Development

Narita Boy was funded through Kickstarter in 2017, raising €160,946. Eduardo Fornieles, Narita Boy's director, states that his childhood experiences in Spain and his time spent living in Japan influenced the story and the aesthetic of the game. When discussing the game's mix of technology and natural environments the director added, "I find beauty in the mix between organic and non-organic." [6] The game was initially set to launch in December 2018, but was delayed to Spring 2021. [7] The game launched on March 30, 2021. [8]

Reception

Narita Boy received "mixed or average" reviews according to Metacritic, except for the PlayStation 4 version which received "generally favorable" reviews. [9] [10] [11] [12]

Rachel Watts of PC Gamer praised the world building of the Digital Kingdom, noting how the game used spirituality in the world. [18] They also praised the segments where the player relives the Creator's memories saying, "These flashback moments are quietly reflective and act as a great counterbalance to all the satirical '80s macho power-fantasy present throughout the rest of the game." Ollie Reynolds, writing for Nintendo Life , enjoyed the game's combat and mentioned how each ability gave the combat more depth. [19]

Edge enjoyed the game's music and its retro art style, but felt that the gameplay did not live up to the standards of Narita Boy's audio and visuals. [20] Mitchell Saltzman of IGN appreciated the visuals of the game, but strongly disliked Narita Boy's gameplay, writing "Narita Boy is at best serviceable, with hollow exploration filled with constant backtracking, simple puzzles, and combat that never really evolves in ways that make tougher enemies any more fun to fight." [21]

Related Research Articles

<i>Blasphemous</i> (video game) 2019 video game

Blasphemous is a Metroidvania video game developed by Spanish studio The Game Kitchen and published by Team17. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch on 10 September 2019, with Warp Digital handling the console ports. Versions for macOS and Linux were released on 21 September 2020. A version for Amazon Luna was released on 20 October 2020. It began as a Kickstarter campaign in 2017. A sequel, titled Blasphemous 2, was released on 24 August 2023.

<i>The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe</i> (video game) 2005 video game

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is an action-adventure game released in 2005 by Traveller's Tales and Amaze Entertainment. The game is based on the novel-adapted movie of the same name. It was released in November before the movie for most major consoles including the GameCube, PC, Xbox, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, and Game Boy Advance. Also in 2005, a role-playing game, a strategy game and a chess game were released for wireless phone systems by Disney Mobile. A significant feature has William Moseley, Skandar Keynes, Anna Popplewell, Georgie Henley, Elizabeth Hawthorne, and Jim Broadbent reprising their roles from the film.

<i>Guacamelee!</i> 2013 Metroidvania platforming video game

Guacamelee! is a Metroidvania action platforming video game developed and published by DrinkBox Studios, initially launched in April 2013 for platforms PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita and was later ported to Windows in August and to OS X and Linux in February 2014. The enhanced Super Turbo Championship Edition was released for Wii U, Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox 360 in July 2014 and later on the Nintendo Switch in October 2018. The game is inspired by traditional Mexican culture and folklore, like alebrijes and Day of the Dead.

Teslagrad is a 2013 side-scrolling puzzle-platform game developed and published by Rain Games.

<i>SteamWorld Dig</i> 2013 video game

SteamWorld Dig is a platform action-adventure game created by Swedish video game developer Image & Form. The second installment in the SteamWorld series after SteamWorld Tower Defense, SteamWorld Dig has the player control Rusty, a steam-powered robot who arrives at a small Western-Steampunk mining town called Tumbleton after having received a deed for a mine from his long-forgotten uncle, Joe. The objective of the game is to dig through Tumbleton's mine, which also involves solving puzzles and platforming to avoid traps and enemies.

<i>Ori and the Blind Forest</i> 2015 video game

Ori and the Blind Forest is a platform-adventure Metroidvania video game developed by Moon Studios and published by Microsoft Studios. The game was released for Windows and Xbox One in March 2015, and for Nintendo Switch in September 2019. Players assume control of Ori, a small white spirit, and Sein, the "light and eyes" of the Forest's Spirit Tree. Players are tasked to move between platforms and solve puzzles. The game features a save system called "Soul Links", which allows players to save their progress at will with limited resources, and an upgrade system that allows players to strengthen Ori's skills and abilities.

<i>Hollow Knight</i> 2017 video game

Hollow Knight is a 2017 Metroidvania video game developed and published by independent developer Team Cherry. The player controls the Knight, an insectoid warrior exploring Hallownest, a fallen kingdom plagued by a supernatural disease. The game is set in diverse subterranean locations, featuring friendly and hostile insectoid characters and numerous bosses. Players have the opportunity to unlock abilities as they explore, along with pieces of lore and flavour text that are spread throughout the kingdom.

<i>Chasm</i> (video game) 2018 Metroidvania video game

Chasm is a Metroidvania video game developed and published by Bit Kid, Inc. for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita in July 2018, the Nintendo Switch in October 2018, and the Xbox One in November 2018.

<i>Axiom Verge 2</i> 2021 video game

Axiom Verge 2 is a Metroidvania video game by American indie developer Thomas Happ Games. It is the sequel to Axiom Verge and was released on August 11, 2021, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Windows. The game was later released on Steam and PlayStation 5 in August 2022. It was also ported to Xbox One in July 2023.

<i>Convergence: A League of Legends Story</i> 2023 video game

Convergence: A League of Legends Story is a 2023 Metroidvania video game developed by Double Stallion and published by Riot Forge. Players control an inventor who can manipulate time. It is a spinoff of League of Legends and was released for Windows, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.

<i>Gato Roboto</i> 2019 Metroidvania video game

Gato Roboto is a 2D Metroidvania video game developed by American studio Doinksoft and published by Devolver Digital on May 30, 2019. The game follows a cat named Kiki attempting to save her owner after they crash land on an alien planet, forcing Kiki to don a mech suit and explore the planet's depths.

<i>Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth</i> 2021 video game

Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth is a 2021 action role-playing video game developed by Team Ladybug and co-published by Playism and Why so serious? for Microsoft Windows. Versions for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and Series S were also released. It is based on Ryo Mizuno's Record of Lodoss War series, taking place before the events of The Crown of the Covenant. Controlling the high elf Deedlit, who finds herself in a strange interconnected labyrinth filled with her past foes and companions, the game focuses on exploration and searching for items and power-ups in the vein of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, fighting bosses and minibosses. During gameplay, the player also locates two elemental spirits and swaps between each one.

<i>One Step From Eden</i> 2020 video game

One Step From Eden is a roguelike action video game created by American independent developer Thomas Moon Kang, and published by Humble Bundle. Following a successful crowdfunding campaign, it was released for Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows and Nintendo Switch in March 2020, and later ported to PlayStation 4 in June 2020, and Xbox One in November 2021.

<i>Souldiers</i> 2022 video game

Souldiers is a 2022 Metroidvania video game with role-playing elements developed by Retro Forge and published by Dear Villagers. It released on 2 June 2022 for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

<i>Unsighted</i> 2021 video game

Unsighted is a 2021 indie video game developed by Studio Pixel Punk and published by Humble Games for the Nintendo Switch, Windows, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PS4. The game is a Metroidvania adventure game in which the player and all non-player characters exist within a time limit, with the player required to find and allocate 'meteor dust' to characters to maintain their survival. The game was designed by Brazilian developers Fernanda Dias and Tiani Pixel, who cited the Metroid and Legend of Zelda series as influential to the design of the game. Upon release, Unsighted received generally favorable reviews, with critics praising the innovation of the game's use of time as a narrative and gameplay mechanic, its visual presentation, and combat.

<i>Kunai</i> (video game) 2020 action-platform video game

Kunai is an action-platform video game developed by TurtleBlaze and published by The Arcade Crew. The game was released on February 6, 2020 for Windows and Nintendo Switch. In the game, the player controls Tabby, a robot tasked with defeating Lemonkus, an AI that nearly causes the extinction of humanity. In July 2020, The Arcade Crew partnered with Limited Run Games to release physical copies of the Nintendo Switch version. The physical copies were released in October 2020. The PC version received generally favorable reviews, while the Nintendo Switch version received mixed reviews.

<i>Exit the Gungeon</i> 2019 video game

Exit the Gungeon is a 2019 bullet hell platform game co-developed by Dodge Roll and Singlecore Games and published by Devolver Digital. It was released for iOS through Apple Arcade on September 19, 2019, for macOS, Windows, and Nintendo Switch on March 17, 2020, and for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on November 13, 2020. A sequel to Enter the Gungeon, players take control of one of four playable characters as they attempt to escape the collapsing Gungeon. The game received mixed reviews on release.

<i>Moonscars</i> Platform video game

Moonscars is a 2022 platform game developed by Black Mermaid and published by Humble Games. The game was released on September 27, 2022 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One. In the game, players control a warrior named Grey Irma, who searches for her maker, the Sculptor. The game received generally positive reviews on release.

<i>Tales of Kenzera: Zau</i> 2024 video game

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a 2024 Metroidvania video game developed by Surgent Studios and published by Electronic Arts, under its EA Originals label. The game was released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on 23 April 2024. Upon release, it received positive reviews from critics.

References

  1. ↑ Romano, Sal (24 February 2021). "Narita Boy launches March 30". Gematsu. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  2. ↑ "Studio Koba". Twitter. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  3. ↑ "Narita Boy | STUDIO KOBA" (in Japanese). Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  4. ↑ New on Luna+: Narita Boy , retrieved 18 December 2022
  5. ↑ "Review: Narita Boy - Pay Homage To The '80s In This Marvellous Metroidvania". Nintendo Life. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  6. ↑ "Short Interview: Narita Boy's Eduardo Fornieles – indiegraze.com" . Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  7. ↑ Wales, Matt (3 February 2021). "Neo-retro side-scroller Narita Boy re-emerges with stunning new trailer". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  8. ↑ "Nostalgic metroidvania Narita Boy is out now". Rock Paper Shotgun. 30 March 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  9. 1 2 "Narita Boy for Switch Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Narita Boy for PC Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  11. 1 2 "Narita Boy for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  12. 1 2 "Narita Boy for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  13. ↑ "Narita Boy Review". IGN . 29 March 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  14. ↑ "Narita Boy : La nouvelle pépite pixel art ?". Jeuxvideo.com . 29 March 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  15. ↑ "Narita Boy Review (Switch eShop)". Nintendo Life . 29 March 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  16. ↑ "Narita Boy (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  17. ↑ "Narita Boy review". PC Gamer . Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  18. ↑ Watts, Rachel (29 March 2021). "Narita Boy review". PC Gamer. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  19. ↑ "Review: Narita Boy - Pay Homage To The '80s In This Marvellous Metroidvania". Nintendo Life. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  20. ↑ Edge Magazine (25 March 2021). "Narita Boy Review". Edge . No. 357. p. 123.
  21. ↑ Narita Boy Review - IGN, 29 March 2021, retrieved 1 April 2021
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.