If Heave Ho likes to present itself as a party game, it should not be seen as the equivalent of a Mario Party or a Jackbox Party Pack. Here, it is not a question of chaining different events from each other, but rather of exploiting as much as possible a single concept of gameplay, simple and effective. Concretely, each player embodies a sort of head with two arms. No leg to move therefore, but the possibility of independently closing each fist, in particular to cling to a ledge or to another player. From then on, you can swing on one arm so as to be able to move around, and even attempt a few falls or projections forward in order to grab a new element, and thus progress through the scenery to the point of arrival. Heave Ho can therefore be summed up as a physics-based platform game. As often in these cases, the developers have favored colorful and relatively rudimentary graphics (which fulfill their role very well) as well as joyful and offbeat music which does not lack effectiveness.HO HISSE, HO HISSE !
From the first seconds of play, we think of the venerable LocoRoco or the most recent Pikuniku, also published by Devolver. But while these two experiences could be traveled serenely solo, here it is better to rely on your friends if you really want to have a good time. It is still possible to play alone but the interest is much less. Not only do we have much less fun alone, even we get bored at times, but the difficulty becomes much higher since we can no longer form chains of characters. Finally, in multilevels offer an additional challenge, which is to bring a coin to the finish line. Singleplayer lacks this bonus, because when a character grabs a coin, they can't use the hand holding the precious item to cling somewhere. A second accomplice must therefore also hold the piece in order to form a chain and be able to continue to move. Communication between the players is therefore essential, any failure in this area could cause failure... and a few bursts of laughter.
Quite surprisingly and regrettably for a game geared towards multiplayer games, Heave Ho skips any online mode. Outside of local parties, no salvation! Collecting coins unlocks additional costumes for characters. You can customize them quite finely, by choosing their skin color, their hairstyle, their glasses, their face and their arms. Add to that the possibility of mixing elements from different costumes (Santa Claus, diver, teddy bear, samurai…), and you are sure to be able to clearly differentiate your man from that of your neighbour. Even by playing four you will be able to identify in a quarter of a second which is the lucky fool who dropped you above the void or swung you on a deadly peak! In order to spice up the games, the game offers some level design variations. The levels are thus grouped into nine categories. While the platforms in the tutorial area are made up of simple geometric shapes, the next section adds sharp spikes to some surfaces. Then, you have to evolve almost in the dark, a simple luminous halo surrounding the characters.Hilarious for four, very funny for three, very funny for two, and a little boring solo, Heave Ho is a little game clearly dedicated to evenings with friends.
The levels in the jungle give pride of place to swings on vines, while those taking place in the canyon hide the coin in an egg that is even more delicate to handle. If certain sections of the urban levels are electrified, the circus offers a lot of moving platforms. The next section gives pride of place to invisible platforms, which we can possibly cover with our blood when dying in order to make them partially appear for a few seconds. Finally, the last group of levels takes place in Japan and features huge balls rolling in the scenery. The studio has therefore succeeded in sufficiently declining the founding concept of Heave Ho so that the whole thing does not seem too repetitive. Moreover, while the comic aspect of the game flows naturally from its gameplay, the developers have seen fit to add an additional and regressive layer of humour, based on farting llamas, defecating birds and characters with smoking turds on the head. Well, this is not the best argument of the game, which we will especially praise the merits in terms of user-friendliness. Perfect for entertaining friends who come by the house for a while!
