Review for GRIDD: Retroenhanced. Game for PC, Steam, Mac, Xbox One, Linux and Nintendo Switch, the video game was released on 16/05/2017 The version for Nintendo Switch came out on 06/06/2018 The version for Xbox One came out on 26/07/2017
At the turn of the eighties and nineties, a computer / science fiction trend developed in the world with particular and precise characteristics and with a vast following to say the least. Within this pseudo-informatics vein the hacker was visualized in the collective imagination as a fighter or a pilot who, interfaced to the network, to the sound of evolutions or sci-fi fights, destroyed the enemy mainframe, always visualized as a horrible and evil monster . All abundantly seasoned with fluorescent lights, neon environments and electronic music as if it were raining.
The development team of Antab Studio, mainly composed of Andrea Tabacco and Lara Gianotti (CEO and designer respectively) has been able to fully grasp the retro atmosphere, providing the gamer with a simple and extremely effective product.
The plot is perfectly in line with the aforementioned trend and does not even make an attempt to depart from the cliché typical of the era of disco music. We will find ourselves in a fictitious computer space, created by a few fluorescent lines and cursors, within a circuit consisting of an infinite track strewn with deadly traps such as obstacles, laser beams, switches and of course all sorts of enemies.. Driving a gigantic 3D mouse cursor we will have to travel the path that we will find ourselves in front of, destroying all the destructible and dodging enemies and bullets until we reach the final enemy, the mainframe to be violated: a huge head formed by stylized polygons that shoots rays laser from the eyes.
Although described in this way does not seem particularly attractive, the practical result is nothing short of satisfactory. In a few seconds you will have total control of your ship and only your reflexes will make the difference between life and game over. The gameplay itself is remarkably functional and satisfying while belonging to coin-op and arcade levels. A lever to move on the three axes and a fire button, which you can also keep pressed indefinitely obtaining a rapid and continuous shot. The rest is all dodging and smashing, smashing and dodging.
The only variation on the theme is given by the Endless mode, which is unlocked once the Arcade mode is finished. Attention, however: although it is not very long, it will not be so easy to get to the end credits, thanks to a high level of difficulty, not set by the user but all in all well balanced.
In Endless mode, as it is easy to guess, we will face an infinite race in a procedurally generated track in search of the highest final score, exactly what you would expect from a 90s cabinet.
It is in this mode that GRIDD: Retroenhanced expresses its full potential, especially in combination with the port just released on the Nintendo Switch: the Endless and portability combo given by the newborn in the Nintendo house is the most sublime that can exist.
The only other feature included in the Switch version is also interesting: a gyroscopic control to a Joy-Con, also in full 90s virtual reality style. By holding a Joy-Con and extending your arm towards the screen, whether portable or not, you can control the cursor / ship with the movement of the limb. To be honest the result leaves something to be desired: the sensors of the controllers are very sensitive and precise, but on GRIDD: Retroenhanced they sometimes seem badly calibrated. You find yourself with a ship gone crazy and difficult to control, which makes this interesting feature lose its meaning. We can reasonably hope that it is a mere calibration problem that can be fixed with future updates.
Furthermore, it is at least necessary to talk about the music and choreography. It is not easy to explain it to those who have not lived through the 90s, but if you want to discover a historical location for fluorescent lights and electronic sounds typical of those years you can try your hand at a game session with GRIDD: Retroenhanced and you will have an accurate picture of the situation. The combination of strobe lights, fluorescent neon and 8-bit computerized sounds creates a high state of identification and dependence: in a moment you will find yourself immersed in a universe of colors and sounds from which you will never want to leave.
GRIDD: Retroenhanced is a homegrown indie production that makes us proud of your country. A small group of guys with a good idea and a desire to make it come true have created an interesting product, not free from defects but at the same time extremely satisfying from a videogame point of view. The best is given by the combination with the portability of Nintendo Switch, going in fact to create a complete video enjoyment experience. We can therefore only wish the best to the guys at Antab Studio and recommend to everyone the purchase of GRIDD: Retroenhanced.
► GRIDD: Retroenhanced is a Shoot'em Up type game developed by Antab Studio and published by Kongregate for PC, Steam, Mac, Xbox One, Linux and Nintendo Switch, the game was released on 16/05/2017 The version for Nintendo Switch came out on 06/06/2018 The version for Xbox One came out on 26/07/2017
