When its gameplay was unveiled on video for the first time last August, Marsupilami: The Secret of the Sarcophagus did not hide its inspirations. A bit of Rayman here, a touch of Sonic there and a lot of Donkey Kong Country too, including the Returns and Tropical Freeze episodes, the title developed by Ocellus Studio borrows a lot of mechanics from these platform game references. At the controls of the young generation of marsupials, the player can indeed choose between Punch, Twister and Hope, whose only difference is only the color of their dress. No gameplay distinction, it's just a cosmetic choice that it will also be possible to change along the way. After making your choice, we embark on this adventure which will take us through three worlds divided into 28 levels. Said like that, it's a bit light and it's true that regular platformers are likely to finish the game in a short afternoon. But it is obvious that this Marsupilami: The Secret of the Sarcophagus was cut above all for a young audience, even if certain passages, in particular those against the bosses, risk giving a hard time to our young shoots. The latter will obviously take longer to complete the adventure, especially since the title promotes replay value, with a lot of hidden areas, special items to collect to obtain 100% at the end of each level, not to mention the Time Attack versions of each of them for those who love speedrunning. Yes, Marsupilami: The Secret of the Sarcophagus is primarily aimed at children, but the game is really not lacking in challenge, especially in the later levels.
TRAVEL TRAVEL
Nevertheless, Marsupilami: The Secret of the Sarcophagus is a lot of fun to read. Already because visually, the title of Ocellus Studio flatters the retina at all times, it is a fact. Colorful, varied, rich in its environments and offering lively levels, the game really does not have to be ashamed of the other behemoths of the genre. Special mention to these differences in focal lengths, which blur the backgrounds and thus make it possible to bring out the action in the foreground. It's all the more pleasant that in the levels at the edge of the water, this effect gives the feeling of being on vacation, somewhere on the Caribbean islands. It's both exotic and comforting, especially in these times of confinement when traveling is still complicated. Another game design bias that is pleasing: the differences in shot value, with moments closer and others further away. A small zoom in and out effect that highlights the staging rather well. It's always discreet, but it always has its little effect. And it rhymes more. Speaking of production, we also appreciate these little moments when the game knows how to play with light. There are these bonus stages for example where you switch to Chinese shadows, but also these twilight passages when you face the first boss for the first time, or even the levels plunged into darkness with just enough to light your lantern to be able to move forward. Casually, it generates a certain atmosphere and for once, it's pretty well done. In truth, there is not much missing from this Marsupilami: The Secret of the Sarcophagus to be totally subjugated, except perhaps aquatic levels. For a possible sequel perhaps.
Nevertheless, Marsupilami: The Secret of the Sarcophagus is a lot of fun to read. Already because visually, the title of Ocellus Studio flatters the retina at all times, it is a fact.
Visually pleasing and even surprising, does Marsupilami: The Secret of the Sarcophagus manage to convince in its gameplay? No need to keep the suspense going for too long, we know from the preview sessions that the game uses the mechanics of Donkey Kong Country. Some may reproach him for inspirations close to plagiarism, it is true, but it is clear that the transfer of ideas works very well. We can only blame the developers for very questionable game design choices. Having to tap the button (instead of holding it) to sprint, for example, is a bit of a heresy; just as it would have been nice to introduce the double jump to give more amplitude to the marsupial. We would also have liked to be able to jump and kick the tail at the same time, just to make certain actions more flexible. We can also point to a certain inertia in the character, who perhaps lacks a little agility and response for the gameplay to be really perfect. It is indeed in the more delicate passages where you have to be irreproachable in your jumps with momentum that you realize that the movements lack flexibility. Nothing very dramatic, but even if it means perfectly aping the methods of Retro Studios, you might as well go straight ahead.
THE PLATFORM, IT TRAINS
Like any classic platformer from Nintendo such as Mario or Donkey Kong, each level is interspersed with a route to follow on a map in aerial view. Most are unlocked by completing each course, while others require obtaining bonuses, such as an imposed number of feathers or tickets that must be collected during its course. This is the small Replay Value touch of the game which does not hesitate to tell the player to come back later to finish the adventure at 100%. And proof that the title wishes to highlight a certain replayability, for each stage is offered a "Time Attack" version, just to add challenge and why not see speedrunners appropriate the game and show their skills through videos to the wow effect. Because even this Marsupilami: The Secret of the Sarcophagus is primarily aimed at young audiences, it also offers them a good margin of progress with this type of content. And I had already meant it during my preview, it's also a sign that the developers never look down on their audience, however young they may be. And that is respectable.
