Enchanted Portals

Last updated

Enchanted Portals
Enchanted Portals Steam Header.jpg
Developer(s) Xixo Games Studio
Publisher(s) Xixo Games Studio
Engine Unreal Engine 4
Platform(s) Windows, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Release
September 5, 2023
  • Windows
    • WW: September 5, 2023
    PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S
    • WW: September 8, 2023
    PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
    • WW: November 1, 2023
Genre(s) Run and gun
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Enchanted Portals is a platform video game developed and published by Xixo Games Studio. It was released on September 5, 2023, for Microsoft Windows, September 8, 2023 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, and November 1 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The game drew comparisons to the 2017 platformer Cuphead , with whom it shares its gameplay and visual style, [1] [2] and received largely negative reviews.

Contents

Gameplay

Enchanted Portals is a 2D platformer in which players take the role of Bobby and Penny, rookie wizards stuck between dimensions after an accident involving a magic book. [3] The game can be played either alone or cooperatively. Enchanted Portals consists of platforming stages broken up by boss fights, with players being able to utilize various magical power-ups to help them overcome challenges.

Plot

While Bobby and Penny are doing housework, the former accidentally knocks a book off of a shelf. When the two look at it, they see instructions for creating a portal and follow the steps to make one. However, the portal that Bobby and Penny create ends up sucking the two inside of it, along with their pet cat and the magic book, which soon becomes alive.

Bobby and Penny explore a variety of different worlds, including a forest with a haunted hotel, a spaceship piloted by a cyborg cow, an island with a temple, a castle with frogs, and a town populated by roosters. While making it through all of these dimensions, they fight the worlds' hostile inhabitants and look for the sentient magic book.

After making it through every world, Bobby and Penny end up in a wormhole, where the magic book tries to kill the two with his spells. After Bobby and Penny finally defeat the magic book in battle, they return home right when an older wizard (presumably their caretaker) arrives. Later, the magic book tells another book (most likely his father) about what Bobby and Penny did to him, hinting that the latter book might seek retribution against the two wizards.

Development

In October 2019, Xixo Games Studio, a Spanish two-person development team, announced that they were planning to fund Enchanted Portals via a Kickstarter campaign. After a delay due to negotiations with a prospective publisher, [4] the campaign was launched in 2020. [5] The Kickstarter failed to meet its € 120,000 goal.

Enchanted Portals was released on September 5, 2023, for Windows via Steam and the Epic Games Store, and three days later for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S. A physical release of the PlayStation 5 version referred to as the Tales Edition was released on September 29. [6] [7] The game was released on the Nintendo Switch on November 1, 2023.

Reception

A trailer for the game was released on YouTube and Twitter on October 8, 2019. Viewers negatively compared the game to its inspiration, Cuphead. [8]

Upon release, Enchanted Portals received a number of negative reviews, with review aggregator Metacritic summarizing the critical reception of the PlayStation 5 version as "generally unfavorable". [9] Jaz Sagoo of COGconnected criticised the game's imprecise controls, uneven difficulty, lack of sound design, and sometimes inconsistent aesthetics, but noted that it almost captures the 1930s art style overall. [11] Writing for WellPlayed, Kieran Stockton voiced similar criticisms, calling the game an "Aldi-style mimicry of Cuphead" and giving it a "poor" rating overall. [12] Joey Rambles of Cultured Vultures reviewed the game more favourably after having played a pre-release demo and stated that Enchanted Portals was frustrating but also rewarding, [13] but revised his impression after the game had been released and noted that it primarily failed where it diverged from Cuphead. [14] On OpenCritic, the reception from top critics is "weak", with less than 10% of the general critics recommending it. [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Platformer</span> Video game genre

A platformer is a sub-genre of action video games in which the core objective is to move the player character between points in an environment. Platform games are characterized by levels with uneven terrain and suspended platforms of varying height that require jumping and climbing to traverse. Other acrobatic maneuvers may factor into the gameplay, such as swinging from vines or grappling hooks, jumping off walls, gliding through the air, or bouncing from springboards or trampolines.

<i>20XX</i> 2017 video game

20XX is an indie action platform video game developed by American indie studio Batterystaple Games. The early access version was released for Microsoft Windows on Steam on October 12, 2016, and in full on August 16, 2017. PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One versions were released in July 2018. A sequel, 30XX, was released on Steam Early Access on February 17, 2021, and in full on August 9, 2023.

<i>Shantae: Riskys Revenge</i> 2010 video game

Shantae: Risky's Revenge is a platform video game developed by WayForward Technologies for the Nintendo DSi. The second installment in the Shantae series, Risky's Revenge is the sequel to the 2002 Game Boy Color video game Shantae, and follows series protagonist Shantae as she sets out to stop the ambitions of the nefarious pirate Risky Boots.

<i>Zombie Driver</i> 2009 video game

Zombie Driver is a vehicular combat video game. Set in a zombie apocalypse environment, a chemical accident/secret government project has turned the inhabitants of a city into shambling, aggressive opponents. The player must undertake various missions to rescue stranded civilians, slaughter zombies and unlock/upgrade various vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boomzap Entertainment</span> Video game developer

Boomzap Entertainment is a casual games developer registered in Singapore with a virtual office environment. It was formed in 2005 and has released 50 games to date that are ported on various platforms. Boomzap has developed for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Nintendo DS, Wii, iOS, and Android. Its games are available on games portals such as Big Fish Games, Yahoo!, WildTangent, GameHouse, Google Play, Amazon, iTunes, Steam and others.

<i>Max & the Magic Marker</i> 2010 video game

Max & the Magic Marker is a platform game released for WiiWare, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, iOS, and Windows Mobile. It was developed by Press Play. The Wii version was ported to Japan and published by Marvelous Entertainment under the name Rakugaki Hero on April 13, 2010.

<i>Shovel Knight</i> 2014 video game

Shovel Knight is a platform video game developed and published by Yacht Club Games. Development was crowdfunded and the game was released for Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, and Windows in June 2014. It was ported to OS X and Linux in September 2014, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and Xbox One in April 2015, Amazon Fire TV in September 2015, and Nintendo Switch in March 2017. Shovel Knight is inspired by gameplay and graphics of platformer games developed for the Nintendo Entertainment System.

<i>A Hat in Time</i> 2017 video game

A Hat in Time is a 2017 platform game developed by Danish game studio Gears for Breakfast and published by Humble Bundle. The game was developed using Unreal Engine 3 and funded through a Kickstarter campaign, which nearly doubled its fundraising goals within its first two days. The game was self-published for macOS and Windows in October 2017, and by Humble Bundle for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles two months later. A version for the Nintendo Switch was released in October 2019.

<i>Mighty No. 9</i> 2016 video game

Mighty No. 9 is a 2016 action platform video game developed by Comcept, in conjunction with Inti Creates, and published by Deep Silver. The game was crowdfunded through Kickstarter and incorporated heavy input from the public. Mighty No. 9 closely resembles the early Mega Man series in both gameplay and character design, on which project lead Keiji Inafune worked, and is considered a spiritual successor.

<i>Shantae: Half-Genie Hero</i> 2016 video game

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, stylized as Shantae: ½ Genie Hero, is a platform video game developed and published by WayForward Technologies. It is the fourth game in the Shantae series, following Shantae and the Pirate's Curse (2014), and the first to be specifically developed for high definition game platforms. The game was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Windows, and Xbox One in December 2016, for Nintendo Switch in June 2017, for Amazon Luna in October 2020, for Stadia in February 2021, and for PlayStation 5 in November 2021. Versions for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 were initially announced, but cancelled during development.

<i>Earthlock</i> 2016 video game

Earthlock is a role-playing video game developed and published by the Norwegian company Snowcastle Games for Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, and Wii U. The Xbox One version was launched on September 1, 2016 worldwide. The Windows, OS X, and Linux versions, initially planned for release at the same time as the Xbox One release, were postponed to September 27, 2016. The game is planned to be the first volume of an Earthlock trilogy. The Wii U version was released on September 7, 2017 in Europe, and on September 14, 2017 in North America. A version for the Nintendo Switch was released on March 8, 2018. The game received mixed reviews from critics, who were heavily divided. Some called it a nostalgic throwback with memorable characters, while others panned its design as dated, and its art style, gameplay and/or story as bland or unoriginal.

<i>Cuphead</i> 2017 video game

Cuphead is a 2017 run and gun game developed and published by Studio MDHR. The game follows its titular teacup-headed character who makes a deal with the Devil to pay casino losses by repossessing the souls of runaway debtors. In the game, up to two players control Cuphead and/or his brother Mugman to fight through several levels and boss fights; the game does not have a rigid narrative structure. As the game progresses, the protagonist acquires more power and abilities, eventually facing the Devil himself. Players, however, can only equip a limited number of these abilities at a given time.

<i>The Book of Unwritten Tales 2</i> 2015 video game

The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 is a comedy point-and-click adventure video game created by the German developer King Art Games. The game, a sequel to The Book of Unwritten Tales, was published by Nordic Games on 20 February 2015 for Linux, Microsoft Windows and OS X. Console ports for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One were released in September 2015. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released exclusively as digital downloads. The Wii U version was released on 7 June 2016 in Europe and North America. A Nintendo Switch version was announced, and released on 5 February 2019.

<i>Yooka-Laylee</i> 2017 video game

Yooka-Laylee is a 2017 platform game published by Team17 in for Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, followed by a version for Amazon Luna in October 2020. Developed by Playtonic Games, a group of former key personnel from Rare, Yooka-Laylee is a spiritual successor to the Banjo-Kazooie series released for the Nintendo 64 nearly 20 years prior. After years of planning to develop a new game, Playtonic Games initiated a Kickstarter campaign that attracted significant media coverage and raised a record-breaking sum of over £2 million. The game follows chameleon Yooka and bat Laylee on their quest to retrieve a magical book from an evil corporation.

<i>Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night</i> 2019 video game

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a 2019 action role-playing game developed by Japanese indie studio ArtPlay and published by 505 Games. The game's development was led by former Castlevania series producer Koji Igarashi and is considered a spiritual successor to the series. The game was released for PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, in June 2019, for Amazon Luna in October 2020, for Android and iOS in December 2020, and for Stadia in July 2021.

<i>Road Redemption</i> 2017 video game

Road Redemption is a vehicular combat racing video game developed by EQ-Games and Pixel Dash Studios. The game is a spiritual successor to the Road Rash series and was released for Windows PC on October 4, 2017. Console versions of Road Redemption were released on November 6, 2018 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. A mobile version of Road Redemption were released on September 28, 2022 for Android and iOS.

<i>Demetrios</i> (video game) 2016 point-and-click video game

Demetrios - The BIG Cynical Adventure is a point and click adventure game for the Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, and Linux platforms. The game was developed and published by the independent French studio COWCAT Games and was released on May 31, 2016. It features hand drawn art and is the first commercial release by Fabrice Breton. It was released later for PlayStation Vita. A physical release for that version and the PlayStation 4 of the game was published by Red Sky Games in Europe. A Nintendo Switch port of the game was released worldwide on December 3, 2018, on the Nintendo eShop, followed by a Japanese localization release of the game on January 14, 2021.

<i>Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom</i> 2018 video game

Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom is a 2018 platform game developed by Game Atelier and published by FDG Entertainment. Part of the Wonder Boy series, it was released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in December, for Windows in July 2019, for Stadia in July 2020, for PlayStation 5 in December 2021, and for Xbox Series X/S in August 2022. It was generally well received by critics.

<i>Flynn: Son of Crimson</i> 2021 video game

Flynn: Son of Crimson is a platform game developed by Studio Thunderhorse and published by Humble Games. The game follows a young boy named Flynn, who embarks on a journey of discovery and conflict alongside his animal companion Dex as he learns to master his powers. Flynn and Dex must save Rosantica before the evil from The Scourge claims his home.

<i>Unbound: Worlds Apart</i> 2021 puzzle-platform video game

Unbound: Worlds Apart is a puzzle-platform game developed and published by Alien Pixel Studios. The game was released for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Nintendo Switch on July 28, 2021. Digerati Distribution published the PlayStation and Xbox versions of the game. The PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions were released on February 9, 2022, later releasing on February 11 for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. Physical copies of the PlayStation versions will be released by Perp Games.

References

  1. ↑ Doolan, Liam (June 23, 2023). "Cuphead-Like 2D Platformer Enchanted Portals Coming To Switch This Summer". Nintendo Life . Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  2. ↑ Renadette, Brian (October 10, 2019). "Enchanted Portals Draws Ire Over Cuphead Comparisons". TechRaptor. Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  3. ↑ Loveridge, Sam (June 10, 2023). "Enchanted Portals is a magic-filled 2D platformer with Cuphead-style visuals". GamesRadar+ . Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  4. ↑ Carvalho, Jared (October 28, 2019). "Enchanted Portals Kickstarter Canceled After Cuphead Anger". Game Rant. Archived from the original on December 8, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  5. ↑ McFerran, Damien (April 16, 2020). "Cuphead Lookalike Enchanted Portals Is Heading Back To Kickstarter". Nintendo Life . Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  6. ↑ Quirk, Tom (September 5, 2023). "Enchanted Portals isn't exactly spellbinding". Checkpoint. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  7. ↑ Roxburgh, Megan (September 1, 2023). "The Month in Games". The Indiependent. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  8. ↑ Marshall, Cass (October 9, 2019). "Indie game Enchanted Portals draws backlash over Cuphead similarities". Polygon. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Enchanted Portals for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Enchanted Portals Reviews". OpenCritic. Archived from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  11. ↑ Sagoo, Jaz (September 5, 2023). "A Leap Too Far". COGconnected. Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  12. ↑ Stockton, Kieran (September 5, 2023). "Enchanted Portals Review". WellPlayed. Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  13. ↑ Rambles, Joey (August 23, 2023). "Enchanted Portals Sets Itself Up for Fast, Frenetic Fun". Cultured Vultures. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  14. ↑ Rambles, Joey (September 6, 2023). "Enchanted Portals (PC) REVIEW — Visuals Over Gameplay". Cultured Vultures. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Enchanted Portals Reviews". OpenCritic. Archived from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
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.