Video Game Review - Save Me Mr. Tako: Definitive Edition

Rob reviews Save Me Mr Tako: Definitive Edition on Nintendo Switch...

Save Me Mr Tako is a game that originally launched back in 2018. Despite being quite a bug-ridden and challenging game, it had a certain degree of charm. So much so, that it became one of those niche titles that was often overlooked. Thankfully now three years later Mr Tako is receiving a second shot. Save Me Mr Tako: Definitive Edition brings with it a vastly more refined game than the original. And with it, the titular Octopus has another chance at entertaining more players with its retro-inspired gameplay. 

The story to Save Me Mr Tako is a bit of a weird one. The world of Mr Tako is ruled by two species - Human and Octopus. With tensions between the two species running high, an Octopus group commandeers a Human boat. As a Human/Octopus war looms, one of the "terrorists" - Mr Tako - decides to disobey orders and rescues the last surviving Human. Nonetheless, war does break out and the two sides battle each other to a deadlock. Due to his earlier compassion, Mr Tako is granted the ability to breathe on land, and as such he goes on a journey to stop the conflict - and makes a few friends along the way. 

So, Save Me Mr Tako: Definitive Edition is an action-platformer that's very reminiscent of an old-school Game Boy title. As Mr Tako, our goal is to reach the end goal of each stage whilst battling enemies and solving puzzles along the way. As you can imagine, Mr Tako isn't the strongest Octopus and as such you're unable to take much damage. Thankfully Mr Tako can shoot ink at his enemies. Whilst inked, opponents can serve as platforms that allow you to traverse the level and periodically solve secrets.

 

The game features multiple stages which all vary in length. Most of these are fairly short and don't take a lot of skill to complete. There are a few longer areas that offer somewhat of a challenge. Whilst these are more tricky, they're not too difficult or complicated to beat. There's plenty of secret areas to find which upon doing so will award Mr Tako with a new hat. Hats serve as Mr Tako's main source of attack and defence. Once collected these hats grant you a myriad of abilities such as new weapons or a new traversal option. The majority of these hats are obtained via optional side-quests, but a fair few are utilised during the dungeon-like Metroidvania-Esq levels. 

I quite enjoyed collecting these additional items. Not only do they mix up the more conventional platforming, but they also offer an incentive to explore and revisit previously completed levels. 

When it comes to visuals, Save Me Mr Tako: Definitive Edition can be played in either ide-screen or a more retro-inspired style complete with character laden borders. The game also comes with a wealth of colour options which allows you to style the game at your leisure. There is also an auto function that changes the graphic styling based on location. Whilst this is a nice touch - it's not necessary. All-around graphics are brilliant. The pixilated characters and locations give off that retro look whilst retaining that modern feel. The border graphics are also very well done and offer some gorgeous artwork to look at. 

To coincide with the retro feel, the game also comes with its retro-styled soundtrack. There's plenty of catchy tunes to be heard, and a few of them will become part of your everyday life. Aside from the general gameplay, the soundtrack was what made Save Me Mr Tako: Definitive Edition stand out. Still to this day, I'll break out into some spontaneous humming of Casino Zone (Sonic 2) or one of the many Mario tunes. You know a game's soundtrack is a hit when it's 2 am and a rendition of the theme of the trailer pops into your head...

The original Save Me Mr Tako featured three difficulty modes which weren't all that different. Aside from the amount of health Mr Tako had, all three played out in the same way. The Definitive Edition changes this by adding a new model. This "hearts mode" adds three hearts and the ability to store more lives than the standard 10. For those who want a challenge the standard and classic modes return with each offering variations of difficulty - one-hit kills, 9-lives, etc. You're also able to freely switch the difficulty at the Octopus Village - if you've had a change of 'heart'. This makes the whole Definitive Edition quite an accessible experience, especially when you consider the difficulty of the original release. 

Save Me Mr Tako: Definitive Edition is a simple, fun, and enjoyable platformer. Its story is a fun-filled journey that will stick in my mind for quite a while. The Game Boy style works incredibly well and the soundtrack is just pure enjoyment. Chris Deneos has done a wonderful job in crafting this definitive edition. Everything from the original release has been improved in some shape and form.

If you're either a platforming fan or someone who's after the nostalgia of old, Save Me Mr Tako: Definitive Edition is a must-play game. 

Rating 9/10 

A code was kindly provided for this review. 

Save Me Mr Tako: Definitive Edition is out now and can be brought on the Nintendo Switch eShop by clicking here.

Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev