Ape Out is a game that can be explained in few words. It was remarked to me the other day that the perfect name for the game would have been Ape Shit and I totally agree. With a game like this all you need is to draw the player in enough to pick up the controller because once you start you will be instantly hooked.
The objective is simple. You are an ape who is trying to escape from captivity and you do so by bulldozing your way through a procedurally generated environment. You start on the left hand side of the screen and your aim is to forge a path right until you reach the next section. You can be hit twice by gun shots and the third will kill you. Completing a section will activate a checkpoint meaning progress through the game is steady.
The game clearly takes inspiration from the likes of Hotline Miami, but it isn’t a twin stick shooter. Instead you use the left stick to control the ape, the right trigger to deliver a devastating shove that will eliminate an enemy as long as they make contact with one of the many walls and pillars in the environment and finally the left trigger to grab an enemy and use him as not only a human shield, but to fire the odd burst in the direction of incoming assailants.
If the gameplay and the premise sounds simple it’s because it is. But that is the beauty of it. It’s fun, instantly gratifying and addictive. Adding to the experience is the excellent sound design. Each chapter has a slightly different jazz style instrumental playing in the background that reacts and builds as your rampage increases. This really helps draw you in to the experience and I would recommend headphones when possible.
Style is at the heart of this game and that is instantly apparent with the tremendous art style used. At first glance it may seem simple but once you get in to the heart of the action you will see how it compliments the gameplay perfectly. Blood trails when you have been shot and shattered glass from the impact of a guards bodies being tossed at it are just a few of the many nice graphical touches you will see. Each time you die the camera also pans out and shows a crude drawing of the exact route you took on a map and how close you were to reaching the next section.
The game felt like just the right amount of challenge for me. It was difficult at times but always fair. For those looking for a tougher challenge though they come in the way of a hard and arcade mode. For the moment Ape Out is only available on Nintendo Switch and PC. Due to the great pick up and play nature of the gameplay I recommend getting it on the go if possible. I expect we will see a port to PS4 and Xbox One before long, but releasing on portable first was a wise move as I believe that is where it will have the most impact.
Ape Out is a game that is best experienced rather than observed. Don’t expect a story to pull you in, but instead allow yourself to be drawn in by the addictive gameplay. This is one of the best indie games on Nintendo Switch.
Review code provided by Publisher. Game reviewed on Nintendo Switch.
