Developed by FAS3 in collaboration with eastasiasoft, and published by Gammera Nest comes a satirical romp through a wild Spanish fever dream. Follow the blue clad ninja and his trusty companion through all manner of dangers as you guide him to fulfill his destiny.
Square up hermano, it’s time to get weird. This is Albacete Warrior.
Benito’s Bizarre Adventure
Our story begins in a pub being served by a blue clad ninja and an egg. He greets us and tells us his story. One of Benito Waters, a washed-up white guy who gets kicked out of a bar for being too drunk. When he awakes, it’s in the house of some sort of monk. The monk tells him that he is destined to be the chosen one and promises him food. That apparently is all Benito needs to become the Albacete Warrior, the ninja of prophecy. Time passes, random things happen, and Benito is sent on a quest because prophecy reasons.
The story is a satirical piece, not to be taken seriously. That being said maybe my humor is broken or it’s because I don’t speak Spanish, but the game didn’t feel very funny. A lot of the jokes felt malicious in nature, and while I’m not one to shy away from crude subjects, they seem a little too blunt. A lot of profanity for shock equals’ humor. If this is your style, go for it. It’s just not for me.
A two-day old burrito
Beyond the story, the style of the game is actually well designed graphical and musically. The pixel meets 3D platforming is always one that I admire if it is well executed, and Albacete Warrior does that fairly decently. The character and enemy animations are well designed and fit the overall feel of the game. With the exception of the cut-scenes, those felt a bit off if I’m being honest.
There are some cool mechanics in the game. Being able to wall jump, spin dash through the air, and perform combos with either your bare fists or your strangled chicken friend Pepito. The controls, however, is what gives this game its ranking. The most important thing when it comes to a side scrolling platformer is controls. Albacete Warrior’s is janky as a wheelbarrow with a flat tire.
The movement is strictly 2D, but the environment is 3D, causing limited animations beyond left and right to be disorienting. Also, there is input lag that leads into severe cool-downs after a combo is completed, slowing you down and leaving you open to attacks. Your method of healing is limited to items you can find, and you often find yourself facing hordes of enemies that attack you on all sides. Slow combos and poor dodging ends more of your runs than anything else.
Final Thoughts
Humor is subjective. Not every style of comedy is going to land for everyone. Comedy writing aside, the controls in this game are less than stellar. Maybe if they were a bit more polished, or less likely to get you killed if you don’t land your shots? But for right now, I would say pass on this game.
Albacete Warrior is available on PS 4/5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Series X, and PC through Steam. Review key provided by eastasiasoft.
VERDICT
BAD
BAD
Humor is subjective. Not every style of comedy is going to land for everyone. Comedy writing aside, the controls in this game are less than stellar. Maybe if they were a bit more polished, or less likely to get you killed if you don’t land your shots? But for right now, I would say pass on this game.
